Environment and Natural Resources

LD 1177 imposes a 3-year ban on installing or reinstalling synthetic turf in parks, outdoor athletic fields, indoor facilities, and similar venues across Maine. It directs the Department of Environmental Protection to study synthetic turf's public health risks, environmental impact, and climate effects compared to natural grass, while also examining alternatives like maintained turf fields. The department must hold at least three public hearings, complete a report by November 4, 2026, and recommend whether the ban should continue, end, or extend. The report will inform future legislation and include outreach to schools, local governments, and the public about findings.

Maine's LD 317, the Safe Cosmetics Act, prohibits the sale or distribution of cosmetic products containing specific intentionally added ingredients - such as lead, mercury, formaldehyde, or certain phthalates - starting January 1, 2027. The law applies to manufacturers and retailers selling cosmetics in Maine, excluding products with only trace amounts of these ingredients due to unavoidable impurities from manufacturing, storage, or packaging. Retailers who sell non-compliant products are entitled to full refunds from manufacturers, including shipping costs. The act defines cosmetics broadly but excludes soap, dietary supplements, and FDA-regulated food/drugs.

LD 2115 creates a Well Contamination Response Fund to address PFAS contamination in private drinking water wells in Maine. The fund, financed by a $1 million appropriation for 2026-2027, covers testing, investigation, and cleanup (like installing water filters or providing bottled water) for wells with PFAS levels exceeding 20 parts per trillion for six specific chemicals. It also pays for administrative costs and may support wells with lower contamination if funds remain available. The state environmental department must report on fund usage every two years starting in 2027.

This bill establishes a 17-member commission to study Maine's water rights laws, specifically focusing on "absolute dominion" and "beneficial use" doctrines governing groundwater. The commission will review existing laws, court cases (like *Maddocks v. Giles*), and how other states manage groundwater rights, then develop recommendations for potential policy changes. The study is limited to analysis and recommendations - no new laws will be enacted by this bill - and the commission must submit its report to the Environment Committee by December 3, 2025. This affects how Maine may later approach water rights management, but does not directly change current regulations.

LD 1111 provides $10 million in one-time state funding to the Kennebec Water District to expand water service infrastructure in Fairfield. This directly affects Fairfield residents whose private wells are contaminated with PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The bill allocates the funds specifically for infrastructure improvements to replace or supplement contaminated private well systems. The funding is limited to the 2025-26 fiscal year with no ongoing annual allocation. This is a targeted infrastructure solution addressing a specific public health concern in a defined community.