Housing

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 13, 2026

LD 2224: An Act To Reduce Certain Costs Associated With Residential Construction

Maine LD 2224 aims to lower residential construction costs by modifying state building codes and directing specific regulatory reviews. The bill removes requirements for smoke partitions on elevator hoistway doors and dual visual-audible emergency communication systems in elevators, while also clarifying that agricultural buildings are exempt from the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code unless they cultivate cannabis. Additionally, it directs the Office of the State Fire Marshal to update fire alarm standards to the 2025 edition of National Fire Protection Association code 72 and to convene a working group by January 15, 2027, to study ways to reduce the cost of mandatory residential fire sprinklers. The bill also requires the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation to report on the status of elevator safety rulemaking by the same deadline.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reduces residential construction costs by modifying building codes and exempting agricultural buildings, which facilitates housing development.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 13, 2026

LD 2149: An Act To Protect Affordability In Mobile Home Parks And Manufactured Housing Communities

This bill requires buyers of manufactured housing communities to pay a $10,000 fee for each lot in the community when transferring ownership, with exemptions for state housing authorities, municipal housing authorities, cooperatives of home owners, and entities with a net worth under $50 million. The legislation also mandates that applicants for licenses to operate these communities provide specific information about the number of sites and submit proof of their ability to meet minimum standards. Additionally, entities claiming the net worth exemption must submit sworn financial documentation to the Maine State Housing Authority, which will review and determine eligibility within 45 days. The law is designated as an emergency measure, meaning it takes effect immediately rather than waiting the standard 90-day period after the legislative session ends.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects affordability in manufactured housing communities by requiring fees on transfers while exempting affordable housing entities, strengthening tenant protections and preventing displacement.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · House Apr 13, 2026

LD 916: An Act To Promote Investment In Housing

LD 916 would provide tax reductions to corporations that donate to community development financial institutions (CDFIs) focused on housing development in Maine. The tax reductions would lower the tax burden for corporations making these specific donations, incentivizing corporate investment in housing projects. This bill directly affects corporations donating to qualifying CDFIs and the CDFIs that channel funds toward housing development initiatives. The policy change aims to increase funding for housing by making corporate donations more financially attractive.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProvides tax reductions to corporations, weakening tax base per topic indicators of tax breaks for wealthy entities.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax incentives to corporations donating to CDFIs for housing development, directly increasing funding for affordable housing projects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 3, 2026

LD 2057: An Act To Support Rehabilitation And Development Of Affordable Manufactured Housing Communities

This bill amends state housing laws to give the Maine State Housing Authority more flexibility in making construction loans for affordable housing projects. It removes a previous requirement that a local financial institution must participate in these loans by acting as an escrow agent, allowing the Authority to make loans directly to public bodies or nonprofit organizations in some cases. The legislation also grants the Authority power to create rules governing loan applications, borrower qualifications, and interest rate restrictions to ensure affordable housing development. Additionally, it repeals an older law that set specific bonding requirements for these construction loans.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases flexibility for affordable manufactured housing construction loans, directly advancing affordable housing development and access.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · House Apr 3, 2026

LD 1923: An Act To Repurpose Long Creek Youth Development Center And Build A Community System Of Support

LD 1923 repurposes Maine's Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland into a secure residential treatment facility for juveniles by January 1, 2027, and directs $10 million in state funds to establish community-based services. It requires the Department of Corrections to fund community programs - including mobile crisis support, behavioral health services, transitional housing, and peer mentoring - instead of youth confinement. The bill mandates monthly public reporting on juvenile justice data (by region, age, gender, race) and creates a working group with community stakeholders to plan the transition. This directly affects youth in Maine’s juvenile justice system by shifting resources from incarceration to community support services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill replaces youth confinement with community-based services ($10M funding for crisis support, behavioral health, housing), directly advancing juvenile justice reform by reducing detention and promoting rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $10M for behavioral health services and mobile crisis support, directly funding healthcare services for juveniles.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds transitional housing as a mandated community service for juveniles, directly advancing housing access through state funding.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

failed · Maine · Senate Mar 25, 2026

LD 2229: An Act Regarding Municipal Inspection Of The Electrical And Plumbing Components Of A Manufactured Home

This Maine bill exempts electrical and plumbing work performed inside certified manufactured homes from local municipal inspections, provided the installation is done by a licensed manufacturer's employee under the supervision of a master electrician or plumber. The legislation aims to eliminate what it describes as duplicative state and local checks that delay housing placement during a significant housing crisis. It also clarifies licensing exemptions for homeowners performing minor electrical or plumbing work in their own single-family residences, such as installing light fixtures or connecting pump piping.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill exempts manufactured home inspections to eliminate delays during a housing crisis, facilitating faster placement of affordable housing units.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

signed · Maine · House Mar 23, 2026

LD 2079: An Act To Amend The Laws Governing Municipal Reporting On Residential Buildings

This bill requires municipalities with 4,000 or more residents in Maine to submit annual reports by March 31 detailing residential building activity from the previous year. The reports must include data on building permits, demolitions, and certificates of occupancy, broken down by housing types such as single-family homes, multi-unit buildings, and accessory dwelling units. The legislation also mandates reporting on the number of affordable units available to households earning 80% or less of the area median income, as well as those earning between 81% and 120% of that threshold. While the requirement applies only to larger municipalities, the state office will encourage smaller towns to provide similar information voluntarily.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requires municipalities to report affordable housing data, increasing transparency and enabling better policy decisions for housing development and affordability.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · Senate Mar 23, 2026

LD 1949: An Act Regarding Energy Fairness

LD 1949, "An Act Regarding Energy Fairness," protects vulnerable Maine residents from utility disconnections by prohibiting disconnections for nonpayment if a customer is elderly, disabled, has a newborn in the household, or is enrolled in or applying for utility assistance programs. It requires utilities to provide clear written notice of unpaid bills, allow customers to set up payment plans, have informal hearings, and appeal disconnection decisions to the commission. The bill also mandates monthly notices for customers with outstanding bills during protected periods, including how to apply for financial assistance, and prevents low-income customers from being charged higher electricity rates without a commission waiver. These changes directly affect residential utility customers in Maine, particularly those facing financial hardship or health challenges.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects vulnerable residents from utility disconnections, preventing housing instability and homelessness, aligning with tenant protection goals.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · Senate Mar 9, 2026

LD 1995: An Act To Require The Maine Office Of Community Affairs To Establish A Technical Assistance Materials Hub

LD 1995 requires the Maine Office of Community Affairs to create and maintain a technical assistance materials hub on its publicly accessible website. The bill directs the office to compile and host resources that help communities and organizations navigate housing and economic development programs. This hub will directly serve Maine residents, local governments, and nonprofit groups seeking guidance on community development initiatives. The bill focuses on improving access to existing support materials rather than creating new programs or funding.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes technical assistance hub for housing/economic development resources, improving access to existing programs and aiding community housing initiatives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · House Mar 9, 2026

LD 161: Resolve, Directing The Department Of Agriculture, Conservation And Forestry To Convene A Stakeholder Group Tasked With A Comprehensive Overhaul And Modernization Of The State Subdivision Laws

LD 161 is a procedural resolution directing Maine's Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to form a stakeholder group to review and recommend updates to the state's subdivision laws (specifically in Title 12, Chapter 206-A; Title 30-A, Chapter 187; and Title 38, Chapter 3). The group must address promoting growth in designated areas, reducing development pressure in rural zones, protecting public health/safety, advancing affordable housing, and streamlining review processes. The department must submit a report with recommendations to legislative committees by December 3, 2025, which could inform future legislation. This affects developers, local governments, property owners, and rural communities governed by current subdivision regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly directs stakeholder group to 'advance affordable housing' as a core goal in reviewing subdivision laws, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing