Housing

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 2230: An Act To Invest In The Construction Of Industrialized Housing

Maine LD 2230 expands the state's Housing Opportunity Program to explicitly support industrialized housing and defines income tiers for affordability purposes. The bill creates a new Industrialized Housing Incentive Program that provides grants or loans of $1,500 to $6,000 per unit to manufacturers of modular, panelized, or innovative housing systems operating in the state. Additionally, it requires the Department of Economic and Community Development to launch a public-private partnership for technical support and workforce training, as well as a competitive pilot program offering financial awards for efficient multifamily construction projects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds industrialized housing construction and expands the Housing Opportunity Program to support affordability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 2164: An Act To Assist Communities With Converting Vacant School Buildings Into Housing

This bill creates a new program within the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority to help municipalities convert closed, vacant school buildings into residential housing. The program offers technical and financial assistance to communities that apply, including support for environmental cleanup, zoning navigation, and development planning. A dedicated fund will be established to finance feasibility studies, property improvements, and subsidies for affordable housing units, with an initial appropriation of $5 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Participating municipalities must agree to include a specific percentage of affordable housing in their conversions, as determined through a memorandum of understanding. The redevelopment authority will submit annual reports to the legislature detailing the program's progress and impact on housing supply and local economies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a dedicated fund and provides financial assistance for converting vacant school buildings into housing, advancing fiscal management and community development through targeted government funding.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates funding program to convert vacant school buildings into housing, directly advancing affordable housing development and utilizing underused properties for residential use.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 2077: An Act To Reduce The Cost Of Purchasing A Home By Providing Grants To Reduce Mortgage Rates

This bill directs the Maine State Housing Authority to administer a program offering grants of up to $15,000 to help reduce mortgage rates for first-time home buyers with incomes within federal limits. The grants are intended for owner-occupied single-family residences and can be used to lower the interest rate on the purchase loan. Additionally, the bill allows Maine taxpayers to deduct private mortgage insurance payments from their state income tax for their primary residence in the state. These changes aim to make homeownership more affordable for lower and moderate-income residents while providing tax relief for mortgage insurance costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides housing assistance grants and allows mortgage insurance tax deductions, supporting affordable housing through state funding and tax relief for first-time home buyers.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides grants to reduce mortgage rates for first-time home buyers and allows tax deductions for mortgage insurance, directly supporting affordable housing access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1921: An Act To Create A Statewide Housing Resolution Board

LD 1921 creates a statewide Housing Resolution Board to handle appeals of final municipal decisions regarding housing development and mixed-use projects containing housing. The board, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court (with one attorney and one professional engineer/surveyor), will review appeals filed within 30 days, hold hearings within 90 days, and issue decisions within 60 days. It has concurrent jurisdiction with the Superior Court, meaning parties can choose to appeal to the board instead of court for the same issue, but must file within the 30-day window. Municipalities, developers, and property owners affected by local housing decisions will directly participate as parties in this appeals process.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates statewide board to expedite housing development appeals, reducing municipal barriers to new housing projects and advancing housing supply.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 1022: An Act To Protect And Increase Access To Justice In Civil Legal Matters For Persons With Low Incomes

LD 1022 requires Maine to appropriate $9.5 million annually starting July 1, 2026, for civil legal aid services targeting low-income residents. It directly affects approximately 356,500 Mainers living below 200% of the federal poverty level who face civil legal issues like eviction, domestic violence, or benefits disputes without representation. Key provisions mandate quarterly fund distribution through the Civil Legal Services Fund Commission, annual reporting on unmet legal needs (including attorney-to-resident ratios), and biennial legislative hearings to assess funding adequacy. The bill aims to sustain and improve access to justice by ensuring consistent, increased funding for legal assistance in civil matters.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $9.5M annually for civil legal aid, increasing public service funding under state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds legal aid to prevent evictions and address housing disputes for low-income residents, directly protecting tenant rights and housing stability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 244: An Act To Provide Safe, Short-Term Housing To Indigent Individuals Recently Released From Correctional Facilities

LD 244 creates a program to provide safe, short-term housing for 2 months to indigent individuals recently released from Maine correctional facilities. The Department of Corrections, working with the Maine State Housing Authority, will administer this program using a new fund financed by state appropriations, grants, and donations. Housing must meet all safety, sanitation, and building codes, including private facilities, and includes specific provisions for individuals convicted of sex offenses. The bill also requires the Maine State Housing Authority to study long-term housing solutions by December 2025 and report findings to the legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides housing to reduce recidivism post-release, aligning with reform goals of improving reintegration and rehabilitation in corrections.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates state-funded housing program for formerly incarcerated individuals, advancing affordable housing access through direct provision and funding mechanisms.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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signed · Maine · Senate Apr 16, 2026

LD 2225: An Act To Support Municipal Enforcement Of Residential Construction Laws, Codes And Regulations

Maine LD 2225 strengthens municipal enforcement of residential construction laws by adding a standard for off-site and modular building construction to the state's uniform building codes. The bill establishes fixed dates for when code updates take effect, requiring changes made in the first half of the year to apply by December 1 and those made in the second half to apply by June 1 of the following year. It also increases a surcharge on plan review fees from 4 cents to 6 cents per square foot to fund building codes activities and mandates that code enforcement officer training include specific instruction on industrialized housing. Additionally, the legislation directs the Maine Office of Community Affairs to run a three-year pilot project, funded by a $1 million transfer, to support municipalities in adopting regionalized approaches to code enforcement.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens municipal enforcement of residential construction codes and funds plan reviews, advancing housing safety and development standards.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · House Apr 16, 2026

LD 2173: An Act To Update The Laws Regarding Housing Developments And Accessory Dwelling Units

This bill updates Maine laws governing housing developments and accessory dwelling units, primarily affecting municipalities and developers. It removes the requirement for fire suppression sprinklers in accessory dwelling units unless they are part of a larger multi-unit structure. The legislation also modifies rate of growth ordinances, requiring municipalities to review them every three years and allowing different permit limits for rural areas while prohibiting restrictions in designated growth areas. Additionally, it sets minimum affordable housing permit requirements at 10% of total residential permits and establishes specific implementation dates for density and height restriction rules.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes fire suppression requirements for accessory dwelling units and modifies growth ordinances to allow different permit limits for rural areas, which facilitates housing development and increases housing supply.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 15, 2026

LD 2127: An Act To Increase The Cap On Bonds Issued By The Maine State Housing Authority To Reflect Current Housing Production Needs In The State

LD 2127 would raise the bond issuance cap for the Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA), allowing it to issue more bonds to fund housing projects. This change aims to align MSHA's borrowing capacity with current housing production needs across Maine. The bill does not specify the new cap amount or additional funding mechanisms, as these details are not included in the provided context. Without the full bill text or fiscal note, specific policy changes cannot be fully described.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases bond cap to fund housing projects, advancing state budget allocation for essential housing programs without tax changes.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases MSHA's bond issuance cap to fund housing projects, directly advancing housing production needs through enhanced financing capacity.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Maine · House Apr 13, 2026

LD 2231: An Act To Support Owners Of Manufactured Housing, Mobile Homes And Tiny Homes

This Maine bill expands consumer protections and financing options for owners of manufactured housing, mobile homes, and tiny homes by clarifying that these structures are treated as real estate for mortgage purposes. It establishes a mediation process that residents can trigger if a community owner proposes lot rent or fee increases exceeding the regional Consumer Price Index, requiring the owner to provide detailed cost comparisons in advance. The legislation also creates a formal procedure for owners to convert their mobile home titles into real property deeds, which facilitates traditional home financing and requires landowners to consent to this process without unreasonable delay. Additionally, the bill reduces minimum lot size requirements for new mobile home parks and mandates that purchasers of these communities hire a third party to inspect the site's infrastructure before closing a deal.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands consumer protections and financing for manufactured housing owners and limits rent increases via mediation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing