Housing (Property Development)

signed · Maine · House Jun 27, 2025

LD 949: An Act To Clarify Licensing Jurisdiction For Manufactured Housing Communities

LD 949 clarifies that municipalities must accept a license issued by Maine's Manufactured Housing Board as proof that a manufactured housing community meets all operating requirements, and prohibits municipalities from charging additional fees for operation. The bill also bans municipalities from charging fees for permits if the housing or installation complies with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules or the Manufactured Housing Board's regulations. This directly affects manufactured housing communities seeking to operate in Maine and local municipalities responsible for enforcing housing rules. The key mechanism is shifting fee authority from municipalities to the state board, reducing local bureaucratic barriers for these communities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves municipal fee barriers for manufactured housing communities, lowering operational costs and supporting affordable housing development per bill's fee prohibition clauses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

failed · Maine · House May 20, 2025

LD 1693: An Act To Establish A Sustainable Housing Development Prison Work Program

LD 1693 establishes a Maine prison work program where incarcerated individuals learn sustainable construction skills, including green building techniques and renewable energy installation. Participants must meet eligibility criteria reflecting facility demographics and complete training to qualify for a sentence reduction of one day for every 40 hours worked (capped at 25% of their original sentence). Homes built through the program must meet Maine’s energy efficiency standards, use at least 50% renewable energy, prioritize Maine-sourced materials, and be owned by the state. The bill creates a dedicated fund for program costs and proposes a tax credit for donors of materials or services to support the initiative.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides rehabilitation through sustainable construction training; offers sentence reduction (up to 25%) for program completion, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly trains inmates in renewable energy installation and mandates homes built meet energy efficiency standards, directly advancing renewable energy use and efficiency.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes prison work program to build sustainable homes meeting Maine's energy standards, directly advancing housing development through new construction and green building standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Property Development

Track

failed · Maine · House May 27, 2025

LD 319: An Act To Allow Residential Housing On Church Property Located In Commercial Zones

LD 319 would amend Maine's zoning laws to permit residential housing on church property located in commercial zones, which is currently prohibited. The bill would specifically exempt church-owned properties from residential use restrictions in commercial areas, eliminating the need for individual zoning variances. This change would directly affect churches in commercial zones seeking to develop housing, such as for clergy, community residences, or other residential purposes. The key provision removes a barrier to housing development on church land without altering broader zoning rules for non-church properties.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barrier to allow residential housing on church property in commercial zones, directly enabling housing development without variances.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

Track

failed · Maine · House May 27, 2025

LD 1385: An Act To Consider Municipalities Meeting Regional Housing Goals In Awarding Transportation Grants

LD 1385 requires the Maine Department of Transportation to consider a municipality's past actions and future plans toward meeting regional housing production goals when awarding discretionary transportation grants. This policy change directly affects all Maine municipalities applying for these transportation grants by adding housing progress as a new factor in funding decisions. The bill does not establish new housing goals but integrates existing regional housing objectives - defined under Title 5, section 13056, subsection 9 - into the grant evaluation process. It aims to align transportation investments with housing development efforts without altering current housing targets.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLinks transportation grant funding to municipal housing progress, incentivizing regional housing goals without new mandates.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

Track

signed · Maine · House Jun 11, 2025

LD 1170: An Act To Make The Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority Responsible For The Transfer And Development Of State-Owned Surplus Land

LD 1170 transfers responsibility for managing and developing state-owned surplus land from individual state agencies to the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority. It requires state agencies to consult with the Land Bank before selling surplus land and gives the Land Bank the first right to purchase such property. The Land Bank can then develop this land for affordable housing projects targeting low- and moderate-income households, prioritizing offers to local public housing authorities in communities with existing programs. This change aims to streamline the use of surplus state land for housing development rather than general sales.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingTransfers state surplus land to Land Bank for affordable housing development targeting low/moderate-income households, prioritizing public housing authorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

signed · Maine · Senate Jun 10, 2025

LD 1375: Resolve, To Establish A Working Group To Address Regulatory Barriers To Housing Construction

LD 1375 is a procedural resolution directing Maine's Department of Economic and Community Development to form a working group focused on identifying and addressing regulatory barriers to housing construction. The working group, administered by the Housing Opportunity Program, must include building and engineering experts and examine current regulations hindering housing development. It is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations - including potential legislation - to the Housing and Economic Development committee by December 31, 2025. The resolution itself does not change laws but creates a process for studying housing barriers and informing future legislative action.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes working group to identify regulatory barriers hindering housing construction, directly advancing housing development through regulatory reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Community Development Property Development

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

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

Track

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

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

Track

signed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 997: An Act To Allow Residential Use Development In Commercial Districts

LD 997 would amend Maine's zoning law to prohibit municipalities from banning residential development on lots zoned for commercial use. This directly affects property owners and developers in commercial districts who wish to build homes or apartment buildings on existing commercial lots. The key provision removes a legal barrier, requiring municipalities to allow residential uses on commercial-zoned lots without additional zoning changes. The bill does not mandate new construction but ensures existing commercial lots can be used for housing without municipal restriction. This policy change applies statewide to all municipalities with commercial zoning districts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves legal barriers to residential development in commercial districts, enabling more housing options without mandating construction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning