Budget & Taxes

failed · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1521: An Act To Require All State Agencies To Provide A Zero-Based Budget Once Every 10 Years

LD 1521 requires all Maine state agencies (including Executive, Legislative, and Judicial departments) to justify every program and activity from scratch using zero-based budgeting once every 10 years, starting with the 2027-28 fiscal budget. During non-zero-based years, agencies must submit budget recommendations including 5% and 10% funding reduction scenarios. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services must review state budget laws by January 2026 to enable this system and propose necessary statutory changes. This policy shifts budgeting from incremental adjustments to requiring full justification of all spending every decade.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires zero-based budgeting to justify all programs, promoting fiscal responsibility and efficient state spending without direct tax changes.92% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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failed · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1739: An Act To Authorize A General Fund Bond Issue To Support Maine'S Agricultural Sector, To Create An Agricultural Buildings Property Tax Exemption And To Direct The Department Of Agriculture, Conservation And Forestry To Study Barriers To Its Financial Assistance Programs And Study The Potential For A Common Application For Those Programs

LD 1739 authorizes a $55.6 million general fund bond issue to support Maine's agricultural sector. It allocates funds to specific programs: $25 million for the Maine Agriculture, Food and Forest Products Investment Fund, $5 million for an agricultural buildings property tax exemption (exempting qualifying structures from property taxes for 10 years), $5 million for the Business Recovery and Resilience Fund's agricultural subaccount, and $600,000 to create a common application for financial assistance programs. The bill also directs the Department of Agriculture to study barriers to its existing programs. The bond issue requires voter approval in a statewide election, with the question asking if residents support the $55.6 million bond for Maine's agricultural sector.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $55.6M bond issue with $5M property tax exemption for agricultural buildings, providing direct tax relief and funding for agricultural sector programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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failed · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 483: An Act To Authorize A General Fund Bond Issue To Secure Prosperity For Maine Families And Businesses

LD 483 authorizes Maine to issue $300 million in state bonds, pending voter approval, to fund specific programs. The funds will be allocated as $125 million for the Maine State Housing Authority’s affordable housing tax credits, rural rental programs, and first-time homebuyer assistance, plus $175 million for new child care-public school partnerships (covering 100% of costs for children up to age 4) and residential water/sewer expansions (requiring 50% local matching funds). This bill directly affects low-income families accessing housing, parents seeking childcare, and homeowners in residential areas benefiting from infrastructure upgrades. The bonds must be repaid within 10 years, with unspent funds after that period used to retire other state debt.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $300M in bonds to fund housing, child care, and infrastructure programs, increasing public spending on essential services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $175M for child care-public school partnerships covering ages 0-4, directly funding early education access and school readiness programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $125M specifically for affordable housing tax credits, rental programs, and homebuyer assistance under Maine State Housing Authority.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Early Childhood Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

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signed · Maine · House Jul 1, 2025

LD 1876: An Act To Increase Use Of State Tax Credits

LD 1876 establishes a 17-member Working Group to study how to increase use of four specific Maine state tax credits: the earned income credit, property tax fairness credit, dependent exemption credit, and sales tax fairness credit. The group includes balanced representation from both legislative parties, tax experts, low-income community members (with direct experience claiming these credits), advocates, and municipal representatives. The Working Group must complete its study and submit a report to the next legislative session before the 90-day emergency period expires. This bill does not change the tax credits themselves but creates a process to identify barriers to their use and recommend strategies for greater utilization.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases utilization of low-income tax credits (earned income, property tax fairness), aiming to expand relief through existing credits rather than new taxes or cuts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

signed · Maine · House Jul 7, 2025

LD 1755: An Act To Increase The Maine Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit In Rural Areas

LD 1755 increases Maine's historic property rehabilitation tax credit to 35% for projects in rural areas that include housing. It defines "rural area" as municipalities with fewer than 17,500 residents (per U.S. Census) and requires at least 33% of the building to be used for housing (like apartments or homes) to qualify. The credit applies retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2024, directly affecting property owners and developers renovating historic buildings in eligible rural communities. This change aims to incentivize housing-focused rehabilitation in smaller towns by expanding financial support for qualifying projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases income tax credit for rural historic rehab projects, reducing tax liability for qualifying property owners - direct tax relief under fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases tax credit for historic rehab in rural areas requiring 33% housing use, directly incentivizing housing development through financial incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Historic Preservation

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 1770: An Act To Provide Immediate And Long-Term Property Tax Relief To Maine Households

LD 1770 increases Maine's property tax fairness credit for residents: $2,000 annually for those under 65 and $2,500 for seniors aged 65+ starting in 2025, replacing previous lower limits. This directly affects Maine households paying property taxes, particularly older residents and working families facing rising costs. The bill also establishes a 13-member task force (with specific representation from legislators, tax experts, low-income advocates, and legal specialists) to develop long-term property tax solutions. The task force must create a data-driven plan within 18 months to address systemic issues like assessment accuracy and equitable relief. This combines immediate credit boosts with a structured process for future reforms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax credits ($2,000/$2,500 annually) for households, directly providing relief to middle/lower income residents and seniors as specified in bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

signed · Maine · Senate Jan 11, 2026

LD 15: An Act To Eliminate The Excise Tax On Camper Trailers

LD 15 eliminates the excise tax on camper trailers in Maine. It removes a $15 annual tax that previously applied to most non-tent camper trailers upon registration, as specified in Maine law. The bill amends tax code sections to eliminate this specific tax obligation for camper trailers. This change directly affects owners of camper trailers who would have paid this registration fee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates $15 annual excise tax on camper trailers, providing direct tax relief and reducing government revenue from this specific tax.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 554: An Act To Encourage Resident-Owned Communities And Cooperatives And Preserve Affordable Housing Through Tax Credits

This bill creates a state income tax deduction for property owners who sell more than 50% ownership in housing businesses (like apartment buildings or manufactured housing parks) to resident-owned cooperatives. The deduction excludes up to $750,000 of the sale gain from Maine state income tax, directly benefiting sellers transferring properties to cooperatives organized under Maine law. It specifically targets non-publicly traded housing businesses registered in Maine or operating within the state. The policy aims to preserve and increase affordable housing units by incentivizing conversions to cooperative ownership models, with performance measures tracking housing retention and economic impact.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax deduction for property owners selling to cooperatives, reducing state tax revenue via incentive to preserve affordable housing - direct tax policy action supporting housing goals.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tax deduction for selling housing to resident-owned cooperatives, directly preserving affordable housing through financial incentives for property transfers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

failed · Maine · Senate Jun 11, 2025

LD 1857: An Act To Expand Property Tax Relief For Veterans And Their Survivors And To Modify Certain Corporate Tax Expenditures

LD 1857 expands property tax relief for Maine veterans and their survivors by increasing exemption amounts and creating new eligibility categories. It raises the standard exemption for veterans aged 62 or older or receiving pension from $5,000 to $6,000, establishes a $7,000 exemption for veterans of World War I and earlier, and introduces tiered exemptions up to $50,000 for veterans with service-connected disability ratings of 60% or higher (e.g., $10,000 for 60%, $50,000 for 100%). The bill also maintains a $50,000 exemption for specially adapted housing units used by qualifying veterans. These changes apply to veterans meeting specific service criteria who own property in Maine.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax exemptions for veterans, reducing their tax burden - direct tax relief aligning with support indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands property tax relief for veterans via increased exemptions and new categories, directly enhancing financial benefits for veterans and survivors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Pensions Property Tax Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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