Housing

signed · Maine · House Jun 25, 2025

LD 1750: An Act To Require The Attorney General To Create And Update Biennially A Model Residential Lease

This bill requires Maine's Attorney General to create and maintain a publicly available model residential lease on the state website by December 1, 2025, updating it biennially (every two years) on odd-numbered years. The model must comply with current law, include required disclosures, and be developed with input from both tenant and landlord advocacy groups. It mandates neutrality (not favoring either side) and requires a 30-day public comment period on draft versions before final posting. The model lease directly assists landlords and tenants by providing a reference tool for standardizing agreements, though it does not replace existing legal requirements for leases.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires standardized lease disclosures with tenant input, enhancing transparency and tenant protections under landlord-tenant law.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · House Jun 20, 2025

LD 1723: An Act To Amend The Laws Governing Manufactured Housing Communities To Prevent Excessive Rent And Fees Increases

This bill limits annual rent and fee increases in manufactured housing communities to no more than 10% of the base amount over a 4-year period. It directly affects residents who pay lot rent and community owners/operators who set those rates. The key provision (Section 9084-A) prohibits increases exceeding this 10% cap, aiming to preserve affordable housing. The bill also establishes a new Manufactured Housing Board with tenant and resident representation to oversee implementation. These changes apply to all licensed manufactured housing communities in Maine.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps annual rent/fee increases at 10% over 4 years to preserve affordability, establishes tenant-represented board for oversight. Directly protects manufactured housing tenants from excessive cost burdens.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · House Jun 20, 2025

LD 427: An Act To Prohibit Mandatory Parking Space Minimums In State And Municipal Building Codes

This bill prohibits Maine state and local governments from requiring a specific minimum number of parking spaces for new buildings or developments in building codes. It directly affects developers, property owners, and municipalities planning new construction projects. The law bans mandatory parking minimums but allows governments to recommend parking levels instead. This change applies only to new developments, land use, or building occupancy, not to existing structures.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves mandatory parking minimums, lowering development costs and increasing potential for affordable housing units by reducing construction expenses for new projects.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · House Jun 20, 2025

LD 1751: An Act To Improve The Growth Management Program Laws

This bill updates Maine's growth management laws to enhance housing affordability, infrastructure development, and environmental protection. It amends key definitions - such as setting "affordable housing" at 80% of area median income - and adds new funding categories for mixed-use housing projects, bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure, and public utility systems. The bill also revises program goals to prioritize affordable housing for low/moderate-income households, protect water resources, and support marine industries. These changes directly affect Maine municipalities implementing growth management plans and state agencies overseeing land use and housing policies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly states environmental protection as a goal, revises program to 'protect water resources,' and adds funding for sustainable infrastructure like bike/pedestrian projects.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill defines affordable housing at 80% AMI, adds funding for mixed-use housing, and prioritizes low/moderate-income housing in program goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAdds funding for bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure, a transportation infrastructure component, within housing and growth management framework85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

failed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 1940: An Act To Revise The Growth Management Program Laws

This bill (LD 1940) revises definitions in Maine's Growth Management Program laws to clarify housing affordability standards. It defines "affordable housing" as housing costing no more than 30% of a household's income when income is at or below 80% of the area median, and "attainable housing" for households earning between 80% and 120% of the median. The bill also establishes definitions for terms like "cluster development" (reducing lot sizes to preserve open space), "accessory dwelling units" (secondary housing on single-family lots), and "age-friendly communities." These updated definitions directly affect local governments, developers, and housing programs implementing Maine's growth management policies. The changes aim to provide clearer standards for housing affordability without creating new programs or mandates.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDefines affordable housing standards (≤30% income) and promotes development methods like accessory dwelling units to increase housing supply and affordability.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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failed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 746: An Act To Authorize A Local Option Sales Tax On Short-Term Lodging To Fund Municipalities And Affordable Housing

LD 746 allows Maine municipalities to impose a 2% local sales tax on short-term lodging (like hotels and vacation rentals) if approved by voters through a referendum. The tax must be applied only to lodging already subject to state sales tax, and requires voter approval with a majority vote and at least 20% turnout from the previous gubernatorial election. Ten percent of the revenue collected must fund Maine's affordable housing programs through the State Housing Authority, while the remaining 90% goes directly to the municipality that enacted the tax. The tax cannot be applied in unorganized territory and cannot take effect before January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes a local sales tax on short-term lodging to fund affordable housing programs, directly increasing tax revenue allocation for essential public services per legislative mandate.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports Housing10% of tax revenue funds Maine's affordable housing programs through State Housing Authority, directly advancing housing access and funding as per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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signed · Maine · Senate Jun 17, 2025

LD 901: Resolve, Directing The Maine State Housing Authority To Negotiate For The Purchase Of Or Acquire By Eminent Domain The Land And Buildings Commonly Known As The Bangor Mall

LD 901 requires the Maine State Housing Authority to negotiate purchasing the Bangor Mall property in Bangor within 12 months. If purchase negotiations fail, the Authority may use eminent domain to acquire the property. Within six months of acquisition, the Authority must report on conversion costs and propose legislation creating the Bangor Mall Housing Authority, which would develop affordable housing units (1-3 bedrooms) for residents earning 2-4 times the federal poverty level. The bill appropriates $25 million for the purchase and infrastructure improvements. This directly affects the mall's current owners and aims to transform the property into affordable housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates conversion of Bangor Mall into affordable housing for 2-4x FPL residents, directly advancing housing development goals per bill's core purpose.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

failed · Maine · Senate Jun 16, 2025

LD 365: An Act To Respond To The Housing Affordability And Accessibility Crisis In Maine

This bill (LD 365) is a concept draft proposing to amend Maine law to address housing affordability and accessibility issues. It does not detail specific provisions or mechanisms, as it is in early development under Joint Rule 208. The bill directly aims to respond to Maine's housing crisis but lacks concrete policy changes in the provided text. As a concept draft, it has not yet specified how it would affect renters, homeowners, or developers. No voting record or further details are available in the current document.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title explicitly targets Maine's housing affordability crisis, indicating clear supportive intent despite being a concept draft without specific mechanisms.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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failed · Maine · House Jun 9, 2025

LD 1036: An Act To Protect Recipients Of Public Assistance From Housing Discrimination

LD 1036 amends Maine's housing discrimination law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on "status as a recipient of federal, state or local public assistance," including housing subsidies and medical assistance. The bill directly affects housing providers (landlords, managers, agents) and public assistance recipients by making it unlawful to refuse housing, make discriminatory inquiries, or advertise based on this status. Key provisions ban actions like denying rentals, setting different terms, or evicting tenants solely because of public assistance status, adding it to existing protected categories like race and disability. This creates concrete legal protections for individuals relying on public assistance to secure housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits housing discrimination against public assistance recipients, strengthening tenant protections and expanding access to affordable housing by banning refusal of rentals based on aid status.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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failed · Maine · House Jun 5, 2025

LD 1662: An Act To Amend The Laws Regarding Zoning And Land Use Restrictions To Limit Certain Requirements To Municipalities With Populations Of More Than 10,000

This bill modifies Maine's zoning laws to increase housing options in larger municipalities. It requires towns with populations over 10,000 to allow up to four residential units on a single lot (instead of two) if the lot has no existing home and is in a designated growth area or has certain utility infrastructure. It also mandates that these municipalities permit accessory dwelling units (like guest houses) on single-family lots in all residential zones. The law applies only to municipalities exceeding 10,000 residents and does not restrict existing zoning rules for smaller towns.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates increased housing density (4 units/lot, accessory dwellings) in growth areas to expand supply, directly advancing affordable housing development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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