Budget & Taxes

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 16, 2026

LD 468: An Act To Address Food Insecurity By Helping Maine Residents Access Locally Produced Food

LD 468 allocates $1.2 million annually from the General Fund to establish a matching fund for nutrition incentives, directly supporting Maine residents facing food insecurity. The bill creates the "Fund To Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives" to match private and public contributions, expanding access to locally produced food. Key provisions include mandatory annual funding of $1.2 million per fiscal year (2025-26 and 2026-27) and requiring the fund to leverage additional contributions. This mechanism aims to increase participation in programs that help low-income residents purchase fresh, locally grown food through existing incentive systems.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.2M annually from General Fund to fund nutrition incentives program, directly increasing state spending on food insecurity relief.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maine · House Apr 16, 2026

LD 666: An Act To Prevent Domestic Violence By Providing Adequate Funding Support For Court-Ordered Certified Domestic Violence Intervention Programs

LD 666 allocates $2.5 million annually from the General Fund to provide ongoing funding for certified domestic violence intervention programs mandated by courts. This funding supports programs that help individuals who have committed domestic violence address their behavior, directly affecting those court-ordered to participate. The bill specifies the funds will be administered through the Department of Corrections' Office of Victim Services for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years. It creates a concrete financial mechanism to ensure these certified programs remain operational and accessible statewide.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates $2.5M annually from General Fund for domestic violence programs, increasing public service funding under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $2.5M for court-ordered domestic violence intervention programs, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism in criminal justice.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maine · Senate Mar 3, 2026

LD 2004: An Act To Enhance Support Of Local Nutrition Incentive Programs By Modifying The Eligibility Requirements Of The Fund To Address Food Insecurity And Provide Nutrition Incentives

LD 2004 modifies Maine's existing Fund To Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives to better support local programs. It allows the fund to match private/public contributions up to $50,000 annually, prioritizing Maine-based organizations with experience helping low-income residents use federal food assistance (like SNAP) to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables. The bill requires organizations applying for funds to demonstrate how they will leverage the money or have a history of promoting local food access. It also mandates regular reporting and audits to ensure funds are used appropriately for nutrition incentive programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill modifies state fund to allow matching private/public contributions up to $50,000 annually, increasing state funding for nutrition programs addressing food insecurity. This directly advances budget allocation for public services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands nutrition incentives for SNAP users to buy fresh produce, addressing food insecurity as a public health determinant through targeted funding.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 117: An Act To Provide Funding For Sexual Assault Services

LD 117 provides $1.23 million in state funding for sexual assault services during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, increasing to $1.83 million for 2026-2027. The funds are allocated through the Department of Health and Human Services' Purchased Social Services program to directly support local sexual assault service providers. This funding covers essential services like crisis counseling, medical advocacy, and legal support for survivors. The bill does not create new programs but ensures sustained financial support for existing services across Maine.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.23M-$1.83M in state funds for essential sexual assault services, increasing budget for social services per Purchased Social Services program.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds crisis counseling (mental health) and medical advocacy through healthcare-related services, directly increasing healthcare funding for survivors.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 1951: An Act To Promote Food Processing And Manufacturing Facility Expansion And Create Jobs

LD 1951 modifies Maine's tax credit program for food processing and manufacturing facility expansions. It increases the annual tax credit rate from 1.8% to 2% of qualified investments for facilities meeting new criteria, effective 2027. The bill raises the total funding cap for approved projects from $100 million to $200 million and sets a new $100 million maximum per project. To qualify, applicants must employ at least 40 full-time Maine-based workers within 12 months of facility startup and meet specific wage requirements tied to county income levels. This primarily affects businesses seeking tax incentives for expanding or building new food processing facilities in Maine.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit rate (1.8%→2%) and funding cap ($100M→$200M) for food processing incentives, directly advancing tax incentive policy to stimulate economic growth.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires 40 full-time Maine workers per project within 12 months, directly promoting job creation and employment standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

failed · Maine · Senate Jun 18, 2025

LD 1960: An Act To Exempt Electronic Smoking Devices Or Other Tobacco Products Containing Ingestible Hemp From The Tax Imposed On Tobacco Products

LD 1960 exempts electronic smoking devices and tobacco products containing hemp or cannabidiol (CBD) derived from hemp from Maine's tobacco tax. This change affects manufacturers, retailers, and consumers of these specific products by removing the tobacco tax that would otherwise apply. The exemption specifically covers hemp-derived CBD products, not cannabis-containing items, which remain subject to separate tax rules. The bill amends Maine's tobacco tax law to clarify this exclusion.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts hemp-derived CBD products from tobacco tax, reducing state tax revenue. Directly weakens tax collection mechanism for the specified products.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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failed · Maine · Senate Jun 16, 2025

LD 372: An Act To Protect Maine People From Inflation By Exempting Gold And Silver Coins And Bullion From The State Sales And Use Tax

LD 372 exempts sales of qualifying gold and silver coins and bullion from Maine's state sales and use tax, effective January 1, 2026. The bill specifically covers coins, bars, or rounds marked by weight, purity, and content (like investment-grade bullion), but excludes fabricated gold or silver used for industrial, professional, or artistic purposes. This policy change directly affects consumers and businesses purchasing these specific precious metal products, reducing their tax burden. The exemption is a straightforward tax policy adjustment with no additional mechanisms or requirements described in the bill text.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts investment-grade gold/silver sales from state sales tax, providing direct tax relief to consumers/businesses purchasing qualifying bullion, aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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failed · Maine · House Jun 16, 2025

LD 291: An Act To Eliminate The Lodging Tax On Campground Sites And Revert To Using The Current Sales Tax

LD 291 eliminates the 9% lodging tax on campground rentals (for tourist and trailer camps) and instead applies Maine's standard 5.5% general sales tax to these stays. This change directly affects campground operators and guests staying in these facilities, reducing their tax burden starting January 1, 2026. The bill modifies Maine Revised Statutes §1811 to remove campground living quarters from the higher tax rate category. It does not alter the tax treatment of hotels or rooming houses, which remain subject to the 9% rate. The policy change simplifies tax application for campground rentals without creating new exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces tax burden from 9% to 5.5% on campgrounds, providing tax relief per support indicators95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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failed · Maine · House Jun 12, 2025

LD 1657: An Act To Expand The Use Of Tax Increment Revenue For Affordable Housing By Adding Authorized Project Costs

LD 1657 expands Maine municipalities' ability to use tax increment revenue for affordable housing by adding specific allowable costs. The bill allows funds to cover development, purchase, operation, and financial support of affordable housing projects, including costs for creating municipal loan or grant programs that assist qualifying homebuyers. Crucially, it removes the requirement that these housing projects must be located within designated affordable housing development districts. This change gives municipalities greater flexibility to support affordable housing initiatives and workforce recruitment efforts outside existing tax increment zones.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands municipal use of existing tax increment revenue for affordable housing, funding essential housing programs through fiscal mechanisms without new taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax increment funding for affordable housing by adding allowable costs and removing location restrictions, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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failed · Maine · House Jun 11, 2025

LD 856: An Act To Phase Out The Income Tax

LD 856 would eliminate Maine's individual and corporate income tax through a phased reduction schedule. Starting in 2026, the tax owed would be reduced by 20% each year (80% in 2026, 60% in 2027, 40% in 2028, 20% in 2029), with no income tax imposed beginning January 1, 2030. This applies to all Maine residents and businesses paying income tax under current law. The bill modifies tax brackets and rates for 2017-2029 before fully eliminating the tax.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly phases out Maine's income tax (2026-2030), weakening the state's tax base and fiscal structure per its title and summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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