Maine Bills | MyRepTracker

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 19: An Act To Change The Definition Of "Oversized Atv" In The Laws Governing The Registration Of All-Terrain Vehicles

This bill changes Maine's definition of "oversized ATV" for registration purposes by raising the weight threshold from 2,000 pounds to 2,500 pounds. It directly affects ATV owners who currently register vehicles weighing between 2,000 and 2,500 pounds, as these vehicles will now be classified as "oversized" and subject to registration requirements. The key provision modifies the legal definition in the registration law to set the new 2,500-pound standard for oversized vehicles. This change ensures the updated definition applies to 2025 registration, as specified in the emergency preamble. The bill does not alter width requirements (still over 65 inches) or registration fees.

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 264: An Act To Remove The 12-Month Waiting Period For The Maine Resident Homestead Property Tax Exemption

This bill removes a 12-month residency and ownership waiting period for Maine residents seeking the homestead property tax exemption. Currently, applicants must have lived in Maine and owned their primary home for 12 months to qualify. The bill amends Maine law to allow immediate eligibility for the exemption once a person becomes a permanent Maine resident and owns a homestead. This change directly affects Maine residents who own their primary homes but previously had to wait a year before receiving the tax break. The exemption amount remains $10,000 of a homestead’s value.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 1022: An Act To Protect And Increase Access To Justice In Civil Legal Matters For Persons With Low Incomes

LD 1022 requires Maine to appropriate $9.5 million annually starting July 1, 2026, for civil legal aid services targeting low-income residents. It directly affects approximately 356,500 Mainers living below 200% of the federal poverty level who face civil legal issues like eviction, domestic violence, or benefits disputes without representation. Key provisions mandate quarterly fund distribution through the Civil Legal Services Fund Commission, annual reporting on unmet legal needs (including attorney-to-resident ratios), and biennial legislative hearings to assess funding adequacy. The bill aims to sustain and improve access to justice by ensuring consistent, increased funding for legal assistance in civil matters.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 696: An Act To Bolster The Maine Teacher Residency Program

LD 696 provides a one-time $1,000,000 appropriation from the General Fund to support the Maine Teacher Residency Program at the University of Southern Maine. This funding directly supports the program's operations, which prepares new teachers through structured residency placements. The bill allocates the full amount for the 2025-26 fiscal year with no funding requested for 2026-27. It is a procedural funding measure with no new policy requirements or eligibility changes. The bill focuses solely on providing targeted financial support to expand teacher training capacity.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 137: An Act To Expand The 1998 Special Retirement Plan To Include Employees Who Work For The Office Of Chief Medical Examiner

This bill expands Maine's 1998 Special Retirement Plan to include employees of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (within the Attorney General's Department). It amends the retirement law to add these workers as a qualifying group under new subsection R, effective October 1, 2025, for those hired on or after that date. The change grants them eligibility for the same retirement benefits as other qualifying state employees, including service retirement options based on age and years of service. This directly affects medical examiners whose job involves forensic analysis within the Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 593: An Act To Extend Funding For The Land For Maine'S Future Program

This bill extends annual funding of $10 million for two fiscal years ($10 million for 2025-26 and $10 million for 2026-27) to continue Maine's existing Land for Maine's Future program. The program uses these funds to protect natural areas through land purchases and conservation easements under Maine law (Title 5, section 6203-D). It directly affects land conservation efforts across Maine by enabling the state to acquire and preserve forests, wetlands, and recreational lands. The bill does not create new policy but ensures ongoing financial support for the program's current operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 52: An Act To Require The Department Of Health And Human Services To Apply For Federal Benefits On Behalf Of Children In The Department'S Custody Who May Be Eligible For Those Benefits

This bill requires Maine's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to proactively review whether children in its custody may qualify for federal benefits like Social Security or veterans' benefits. If a child is potentially eligible, DHHS must apply for those benefits on their behalf. The law mandates that DHHS manage these benefits to cover the child's unmet needs beyond what DHHS provides, prohibits using benefits to pay for DHHS costs, and requires financial literacy training for children starting at age 14. It directly affects children in DHHS custody who may qualify for federal benefits administered by the Social Security Administration or Department of Veterans Affairs.

Topics ✓ Veterans

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 794: An Act To Include Judicial Marshals In The 1998 Special Plan For Retirement

LD 794 amends Maine's retirement law to add judicial marshals to the 1998 Special Plan for Retirement. It specifically includes judicial marshals employed by the judicial branch on or after October 1, 2025, in the retirement plan eligibility. This change applies only to new hires starting October 2025, not current employees. The bill expands the existing retirement plan to cover this role without altering benefits for current participants.

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 78: An Act To Require Elementary School Students To Learn Cursive Writing

This bill requires Maine public schools to provide regular cursive writing instruction starting in third grade and continuing through fifth grade. It mandates that the Department of Education design curriculum to ensure students demonstrate cursive handwriting competency by the end of fifth grade, effective July 1, 2026. The policy directly affects all elementary students in Maine public schools during grades 3-5. The requirement is integrated into English language arts curriculum standards under state law.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 599: An Act To Codify The Federal Salary Threshold For Overtime Pay

LD 599 codifies Maine's overtime pay threshold by updating the salary level required for salaried employees in executive, administrative, or professional roles to be exempt from overtime rules. It adds three specific criteria to Maine law: $58,656 annually, the 35th percentile of weekly earnings for full-time workers in Maine's lowest-wage region (updated every 3 years), and the federal Department of Labor's current threshold. This directly affects salaried workers earning below these levels, ensuring they qualify for overtime pay under Maine law. The bill aligns Maine's exemption standard with federal requirements without changing existing overtime protections.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 1735: An Act To Provide An Income Tax Deduction For Certain Contributions To A Qualified Achieving A Better Life Experience Program Account

Maine's LD 1735 creates a state income tax deduction for contributions to qualified ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts, directly benefiting Maine residents who use these accounts. The bill allows up to $1,000 in annual contributions to be deducted from state income tax, with the deduction phased out for single filers earning over $100,000 or joint filers over $200,000. It aligns Maine's treatment of ABLE contributions with existing state tax rules for 529 college savings plans. The deduction applies only to contributions made to accounts meeting federal ABLE program requirements under the 2014 federal law. This change takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 195: An Act To Create The Small Business Capital Savings Account Program

This bill creates Maine's Small Business Capital Savings Account Program, allowing eligible small businesses in farming, fishing, or forestry to earn tax deductions for contributions to special savings accounts. To qualify, businesses must be headquartered in Maine, have 99 or fewer employees, operate in one of the three specified industries, and meet federal tax classification rules. The program sets strict account rules: balances cannot exceed $250,000, funds can only cover business equipment or property purchases (capital expenditures), and all money must be withdrawn within a year if the business closes. Businesses must report withdrawals to the state for tax deduction verification, with the program capped at certifying up to 30 total businesses across the three industry categories.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes