An Act To Remove State-Imposed Referendum Requirements Regarding Nuclear Power
LD 601 removes Maine's requirement for voter approval via referendum before certain nuclear power projects can proceed. Specifically, it eliminates the need for public votes to approve: (1) building nuclear power plants, (2) constructing or operating low-level radioactive waste disposal or storage facilities, and (3) entering into waste disposal agreements with other states or the federal government. The bill repeals related sections of Maine law (35-A MRSA §43, 38 MRSA §§1474, 1479, and 1482) that previously mandated this voter approval process. This change directly affects developers and operators of nuclear facilities by streamlining project approvals without requiring additional public referendums.
Bill status
failed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 20, 2025
Last action Apr 10, 2025
Floor votes · House Apr 8, 2025
How they voted
73–57
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 135
Apr 8, 2025
D
Democratic66
98% Yea
I
Independent3
66% Yea
R
Republican66
86% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
16
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Apr 8, 2025
Committee
On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought Not to Pass Report was ACCEPTED.
lower
Apr 8, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (73-57-5)
house
Apr 4, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - ONTP/OTP
legislature
Feb 20, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
lower
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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