Budget & Taxes

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 7, 2025

LD 1217: An Act Regarding The New Markets Tax Credit And The Maine New Markets Capital Investment Program

This bill updates Maine's New Markets Tax Credit program to create two new fund types: "Maine funds" (requiring at least one Maine-resident executive with 5+ years in finance) and "diverse Maine funds" (requiring majority ownership/control by racial/ethnic minorities or Native American groups, or a majority-minority board). It sets strict time limits: funds must use allocated tax credits within 24 months (Program 1) or 6 months (Program 2), or the unused credits lapse. The bill caps total tax credits at $250 million per program, with annual limits of $20 million, and requires annual reports on private investment and job creation. These changes directly affect community development organizations seeking tax credits to fund investments in underserved Maine communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates structured tax credit program with time limits to direct investments, promoting fiscal management through targeted tax incentives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 1654: An Act To Allow A Grace Period For The Payment Of Excise Tax For Adult Use Cannabis Cultivation Facilities

This bill extends the deadline for cannabis cultivation facilities in Maine to pay excise taxes from the 15th of each month to 120 days after the date of each sale. It directly affects licensed adult-use cannabis cultivation facilities that sell cannabis to other licensed cannabis businesses. Under the change, facilities will no longer need to pay taxes on sales made in a given month by the 15th of the next month; instead, they have 120 days from the sale date to remit the tax. The bill does not change tax rates or amounts, only the payment timeline.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends tax payment deadline for cannabis businesses, providing temporary tax relief without altering tax rates or revenue.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 1986: An Act To Fund Collective Bargaining Agreements With Judicial Branch Employees

LD 1986 authorizes funding for collective bargaining agreements ratified by December 31, 2025, between the Judicial Department and four employee bargaining units: administrative services, supervisory services, professional services, and law enforcement. The bill adjusts salaries for these employees and provides similar treatment for excluded judicial employees under specific Maine statutes. It allocates up to $10 million from the General Fund to cover costs for fiscal years ending June 2026 and 2027. The funding is contingent on agreements being ratified by the December 31 deadline.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $10M from General Fund for judicial employee salary adjustments under collective bargaining agreements, increasing government spending on personnel costs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds collective bargaining agreements for judicial employees, adjusting salaries and providing similar treatment per Maine statutes, directly advancing workers' rights through negotiated compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 7, 2025

LD 1287: An Act To Support Workforce Development By Establishing The Housing Stability Fund

LD 1287 establishes Maine's Housing Stability Fund and Housing Stability Support Program to prevent evictions for low-income renters. The program provides up to $3,000 per household ($300 monthly max) in direct rental assistance to tenants earning under 30% of the area median income (per HUD standards), excluding those using federal housing vouchers. Administered by qualified entities like community action agencies, it requires landlords to be paid directly and limits administrative costs to 10% of funds. The bill appropriates $1.9 million annually from the General Fund to sustain the program, targeting renters facing housing instability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded housing assistance program, increasing public spending on rental support for low-income households under 30% AMI.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Housing Stability Fund providing direct rental assistance to low-income renters to prevent evictions, directly supporting tenant protections and affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 366: An Act To Ensure Consistency Of Income Tax Deductions For Retired Members Of The Uniformed Services

LD 366 amends Maine's tax code to explicitly include retirement benefits from the Space Force, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Public Health Service under the definition of "military retirement plan." This change ensures that retired members of these uniformed services can claim the same income tax deduction for their pension benefits as those from traditional military branches like the Army or Navy. The bill affects Maine residents who are retired members of these services and receive qualifying retirement benefits reported as pension income for federal tax purposes. It does not alter the deduction amount but makes the eligibility consistent across all qualifying retirement plans under Maine's income tax laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax deduction eligibility for uniformed service retirees, providing tax relief by aligning with existing military benefits under Maine's income tax code.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tax deduction eligibility for veterans from Space Force/NOAA/Public Health to match military retirement benefits, strengthening financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 1768: An Act To Protect Residents Of Mobile Home Parks By Amending The Real Estate Transfer Tax

LD 1768 amends Maine's real estate transfer tax law to better support mobile home park residents. It exempts transfers of mobile home parks to residents or resident-owned associations from the standard transfer tax, making it easier for residents to collectively purchase their parks. Additionally, all tax revenue generated from mobile home park sales (to non-residents) must be directed to the Maine State Housing Authority and deposited into the Housing Opportunities for Maine Fund, which supports statewide housing initiatives. These changes take effect starting in fiscal year 2026-27.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts resident park transfers from tax (relief) and directs non-resident sale revenue to housing fund (funds public service).95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts resident purchases of mobile home parks from transfer tax, funds Housing Opportunities for Maine Fund via non-resident sales tax revenue, strengthening tenant ownership and housing programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 1955: An Act To Increase Child Care Affordability And Early Childhood Educator Stability

LD 1955 establishes two new programs to support child care providers and early childhood educators in Maine. The Maine Child Care Affordability Program provides funding to help these workers pay for licensed child care for their own children, requiring both the worker and their child to use facilities meeting quality standards. A separate Salary Sustainability Program for Child Care Professionals aims to improve retention by supporting educators' salaries through the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill directs the department to create implementing rules, including funding limits and quality standards, while repealing an outdated section of law. This directly affects licensed child care workers and their families seeking affordable, quality care.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for child care affordability and educator salary programs, increasing budget appropriations for public services95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directly supports early childhood educators through salary sustainability and child care affordability programs, enhancing workforce stability and access to early education services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirectly supports early childhood educators' salaries and retention through dedicated funding, advancing employment stability and compensation standards in the labor force.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers

Track

signed · Maine · House Jun 15, 2025

LD 185: An Act To Expand Opportunities To Invest Municipal Tax Increment Financing Revenues

This bill expands how Maine municipalities and plantations can use tax increment financing (TIF) revenues. It allows up to 15% of captured tax revenue to fund construction or renovation of public safety facilities (including emergency shelters) and central administrative offices, provided these projects support local economic development. Specifically, it increases flexibility for municipal offices (up to 50% of capital costs) and clarifies eligibility for public safety facilities tied to economic growth. These changes apply only to existing TIF districts and do not create new funding. The bill directly affects local governments managing TIF programs under Maine law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands TIF revenue use for public safety facilities and economic development projects, enhancing fiscal management of existing tax increments without new taxes or defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

signed · Maine · Senate Jun 19, 2025

LD 1664: An Act To Repeal The Dirigo Business Incentives Program

LD 1664 repeals Maine's Dirigo Business Incentives Program, which provided tax credits to businesses making eligible capital investments or offering qualified employee training in targeted sectors. The bill removes the program's legal foundation by repealing specific sections of Maine law (36 MRSA §191, sub-§2, ¶SSS, and §5219-AAA) that established the tax credit. This directly affects businesses previously eligible to claim these credits under the Dirigo program. The repeal eliminates the state's tax incentive for qualifying investments and training, ending the program's availability for new or existing participants.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRepeals tax credits for businesses, eliminating a tax incentive program. Directly limits tax benefits previously available under the Dirigo program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

signed · Maine · House Jun 17, 2025

LD 294: An Act To Expand Municipal Volunteer Program Eligibility Requirements In The Municipal Property Tax Assistance Laws

LD 294 allows Maine municipalities to create new property tax assistance programs starting January 1, 2026, specifically for eligible volunteers. It directly affects residents aged 60+ or volunteer firefighters/emergency medical personnel (as defined in state law) who provide services to their town. Under this program, volunteers can earn tax benefits up to $1,000 or 100 times Maine's hourly minimum wage (whichever is greater), based on their service hours. The benefits do not count as income for tax purposes, and municipalities may set additional eligibility rules. This expands existing property tax assistance by adding a volunteer service pathway, separate from standard residency-based programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits to eligible volunteers (60+ or firefighters), reducing their tax burden as tax relief for lower-income groups under municipal property tax assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax