This procedural order directs that the bill L.D. 1912 be removed from the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs and returned to the Senate for further action. The underlying legislation, titled "An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Address Maine's Housing Shortage," aims to raise funds through bonds to help alleviate the state's housing deficit. By recalling the bill, this order bypasses standard committee review rules to expedite its progress in the legislative process.
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.
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.
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.
Maine LD 2244 increases the property tax fairness credit for residents under age 65 from $1,000 to $1,500 for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. The bill also extends the operational timeline of the Real Estate Property Tax Relief Task Force by permitting it to hold up to eight meetings in 2026. Additionally, it directs the Bureau of Revenue Services to conduct a survey with assessors regarding the administration of the Maine Tree Growth Tax Law and submit findings to the Legislature by January 15, 2027.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This bill authorizes the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services to sell a specific building in Bangor to United Cerebral Palsy of Northeastern Maine. The property, known as the Elizabeth Levinson Center, is a 25,412 square foot brick building located at 159 Hogan Road that is currently leased to the nonprofit organization. The sale must be conducted "as is" with no warranties, and the purchase price cannot exceed $100,000 based on a broker's market value opinion. Any money received from the sale will be used to cover administrative costs and placed into a state account for future capital improvements. The authority granted by this bill will expire five years after it takes effect.
