Technology

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 2162: An Act To Regulate And Prevent Children'S Access To Artificial Intelligence Chatbots With Human-Like Features And Social Artificial Intelligence Companions

This Maine bill prohibits artificial intelligence chatbots and social AI companions with human-like features from being accessible to minors under 18. It requires companies operating these systems to implement age verification measures and prevent children from interacting with AI that simulates human emotions, desires, or relationships. The law applies to any AI system that claims to be sentient, expresses emotions, attempts to build emotional attachments, or impersonates real people. Companies doing business in Maine or marketing to Maine residents must comply, while users and minors residing in the state are protected from exposure to these features.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts AI chatbot access for minors under 18, limiting technology use and imposing age verification requirements on AI systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Online Safety

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signed · Maine · Senate Apr 6, 2026

LD 2007: An Act Regarding The Prohibition Of Online Sweepstakes Games

This bill would ban online sweepstakes games in Maine that simulate casino-style gaming like slots, poker, and sports betting using a dual-currency payment system. The law defines these games as those accessible on the internet or mobile devices that require players to purchase or earn virtual currency that can be exchanged for cash prizes or the chance to win them. Operators or promoters of such games would face civil fines ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, and any existing gambling licenses held by violators would be revoked. Fines collected from violations would be directed to a fund dedicated to gambling addiction prevention and treatment. The bill also updates legal definitions to include new internet gaming licenses and aligns the statute with recent state law changes.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts online gaming technology by banning dual-currency sweepstakes games, limiting internet-based gambling access and innovation.85% confidence

signed · Maine · House Apr 15, 2026

LD 2017: An Act To Update Certain Statutes Governing School Nutrition

LD 2017 updates Maine's school nutrition laws by allowing applications for free or reduced-price meals to be submitted directly to the agency that determines student eligibility (not just the school). It preserves existing rules about student access to food, handling meal debt, and prohibiting the use of food as discipline in schools. The bill removes a requirement for an online application system, resulting in a $250,000 reduction in state funding for 2026-27. This change affects students and schools participating in the National School Lunch Program by simplifying the eligibility application process.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill removes online application requirement, resulting in $250,000 state funding cut for school nutrition program, directly defunding a school support program.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRemoves online application requirement, resulting in $250k defunding of tech system per bill summary; directly limits technology use in school nutrition process.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 505: An Act To Update Processes And Fees In The Probate Court System

LD 505 updates Maine's probate court filing fees and adds requirements for AI-generated documents. It automatically adjusts fees each year based on the Consumer Price Index (cost-of-living index), rounding changes to the nearest $5, and sets new reference years for calculations. The bill also requires anyone using AI to create court documents to submit an affidavit verifying accuracy, with potential sanctions for non-compliance. These changes directly affect people filing probate cases (like estate executors and attorneys) by increasing fees and adding new document verification steps. The law applies to all probate court filings starting in 2025.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRequires affidavit for AI document accuracy, restricting unverified use in court filings85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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signed · Maine · Senate Jun 12, 2025

LD 1339: An Act To Regulate Virtual Currency Kiosks

LD 1339 (An Act to Regulate Virtual Currency Kiosks) establishes regulations for unstaffed machines that exchange cash for digital currency (virtual currency kiosks). It requires operators to obtain a money transmitter license, disclose kiosk locations to the state, and maintain detailed transaction records (including customer data, video, and biometrics) for 3 years. The bill imposes a daily $1,000 transaction limit per customer, caps fees at $5 or 3% of the transaction value, mandates clear risk disclosures about fraud and exchange rates, and requires itemized receipts. Operators must also issue refunds within 90 days for transactions involving proven fraud or deceptive practices.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyMandates biometric data retention for 3 years, weakening privacy protections per bill's transaction record requirements90% confidence

failed · Maine · House May 21, 2025

LD 1597: An Act To Prohibit The Use Of Dynamic Pricing For Certain Consumer Goods

This bill prohibits eating establishments and grocery stores in Maine from using dynamic pricing, which changes prices based on demand, weather, consumer data, or AI algorithms. It requires fixed prices for at least one business day, visible to customers through menus, price tags, or displays. Excluded from the ban are standard discounts, limited-time specials (like lunch menus), and market-based pricing for traditionally volatile goods such as seafood (set only once daily). Violating this rule is classified as an unfair trade practice under Maine law.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits AI-driven dynamic pricing, restricting use of algorithms and consumer data in pricing strategies per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

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failed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 1227: An Act To Repeal The Requirement That Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Equip Vehicles With A Standardized Data Access Platform

LD 1227 repeals a Maine law requiring motor vehicle manufacturers to equip new vehicles with a standardized data access platform. This requirement, enacted in 2023, mandated that manufacturers install a platform to enable secure access to vehicle data for repairs and other purposes. The repeal removes this mandate, meaning manufacturers in Maine are no longer obligated to include such a platform in new vehicles. The bill directly affects car manufacturers selling vehicles in Maine by eliminating this specific regulatory requirement.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRepealing requirement for standardized vehicle data access platform removes security standard, weakening data access controls per original 2023 mandate.85% confidence

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failed · Maine · House May 29, 2025

LD 1395: An Act Regarding Human Trafficking Prevention Instruction And Dissemination Of And Access To Obscene Material In Schools

LD 1395 requires school library databases used by Maine K-12 students to block child pornography, obscene material, and content depicting sexual exploitation of minors. Schools must withhold payment from non-compliant providers and treat repeated failures as a contract breach. The bill also removes an exception allowing schools to share obscene material for "educational purposes," closing a prior loophole. Additionally, it permits schools to integrate human trafficking prevention lessons into curricula, teaching students to recognize signs of sexual abuse and exploitation, and mandates staff training on these topics. These changes directly affect schools, library providers, and students across Maine.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves exception allowing obscene material for 'educational purposes,' restricting curriculum content access in schools per bill's summary.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyMandates blocking of harmful content in school databases, restricting internet access to obscene material and child exploitation content.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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failed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 1394: An Act To Support Maine'S Electric Vehicle Adoption Goals By Providing An Exclusion For Electric Vehicles From Certain Requirements Of The Right To Repair Law

LD 1394 exempts electric vehicles from certain right-to-repair law requirements in Maine, directly affecting EV manufacturers selling vehicles in the state. The bill creates an exclusion if manufacturers meet two conditions: (1) the vehicle's telematics system complies with federal security/privacy standards, and (2) they meet an annual electric vehicle sales threshold set by the Department of Environmental Protection. This threshold accounts for Maine's climate action plan goals and market conditions, requiring annual manufacturer certifications for approval. The exemption aims to support Maine's EV adoption targets by reducing regulatory barriers for manufacturers. The Department of Environmental Protection must annually report on approved certifications and the policy's impact.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill exempts EVs from right-to-repair rules to meet Maine's climate action plan goals, directly advancing EV adoption as part of energy policy.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill exempts EVs from right-to-repair if meeting DEP-set sales threshold tied to Maine's climate action plan, directly supporting EV adoption for climate goals.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill exempts EVs from right-to-repair requirements, limiting regulatory scope for technology repair access despite federal security/privacy compliance condition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

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failed · Maine · House May 13, 2025

LD 170: Resolve, Establishing A Pilot Program To Reduce Personal Electronic Device Distractions During The School Day

This bill establishes a $250,000 pilot program for Maine schools to reduce student device distractions during the school day. It requires the Department of Education to fund one or more school districts to implement a policy requiring all student devices to be turned off and securely stored (e.g., in pouches) for the entire school day during the 2026-2027 school year. Schools must include exemptions for students needing devices for health reasons or individualized education plans (IEPs). The Maine Education Policy Research Institute will develop evaluation metrics tracking school climate, behavior, academics, and stakeholder feedback, with reports due in late 2026 and 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds $250k pilot program to reduce device distractions in K-12 schools, requiring device storage during school day (with exemptions), aiming to improve classroom focus and learning outcomes.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill mandates turning off student devices during school hours, restricting technology use in educational settings per its regulatory requirements.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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