LD 601 Maine House · 132nd Legislature (2025-2026)

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

7357
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 135
Apr 8, 2025
D Democratic66
65 Yea 1
98% Yea
I Independent3
2 Yea 1
66% Yea
R Republican66
6 Yea 57 Nay 3
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