Rep. Barbara Bagshaw

Maddy summaryLD 888 expands Maine's property tax relief for veterans and their surviving spouses by creating new tax exemption tiers based on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability ratings. Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 60% or higher now qualify for exemptions ranging from $10,000 (60%) to $50,000 (100%) on their primary residence, including property held jointly with a spouse or in a revocable trust. This replaces previous fixed exemption amounts with a graduated system tied directly to VA disability ratings, affecting veterans who served in specific conflicts or received disability compensation. The bill also increases the standard exemption for veterans aged 62+ from $5,000 to $6,000 and maintains existing relief for World War I veterans and specially adapted housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine school administrative units to annually report detailed data on student transfer requests to the Commissioner of Education by July 1st. The reports must include the total number of requests (to transfer to or from the unit), accepted and denied transfers, written reasons for denials, and whether the request was to send or receive a student. The Commissioner must then publish a de-identified version of this data on the Department of Education's public website, removing any personal student information. This applies directly to all school districts and affects families navigating student transfers by increasing transparency in decision-making.

Maddy summaryLD 823 establishes a grant program administered by the Maine Technology Institute to fund statewide, hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competition programs for high school students. The bill requires grant recipients to partner with national STEM programs, broaden participation for underrepresented students (including those from rural areas, Title I schools, and diverse backgrounds), and partner with the University of Maine System. Organizations receiving grants must provide matching funds and report measurable outcomes, ensuring programs reach all 16 counties and all school types (public, private, homeschool). The program aims to increase equitable access to STEM competitions and college opportunities for Maine high school students.

Maddy summaryThis Maine joint resolution formally honors the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who founded Turning Point USA, following his reported assassination in September 2025. The bill directs the state legislature to condemn political violence and extend condolences to Kirk's family while recognizing his contributions to civic engagement and Christian advocacy. It also issues a broad call for Americans to reject extremism and recommit to respectful debate and shared national values.

Maddy summaryLD 370 raises the minimum math requirement for a Maine high school diploma from two years to three years of instruction. This change directly affects all Maine public high school students seeking graduation, requiring them to complete an additional year of math coursework. The bill mandates that the Maine Department of Education fund this implementation using existing department funds, without requiring new taxes or external resources. It amends state statute 20-A MRSA §4722 to update graduation standards for mathematics education.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 24-month pilot program to provide free early cancer screenings for Maine firefighters. It requires the Commissioner of Public Safety to offer active and retired municipal and volunteer firefighters (as defined in Maine law) a comprehensive screening package including a multi-cancer blood test, organ ultrasounds, and lung CT scans. Firefighters may opt out of screenings, and those who pay for any part of the screenings after January 1, 2025, can seek reimbursement up to $1,300. A committee will develop the program's implementation plan and report on participation, results, and costs after 12 and 24 months.

Maddy summaryLD 252 repeals Maine's participation in the National Popular Vote Compact, ending the state's commitment to award its electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote. The bill removes the compact's provisions from Maine's election statutes and updates related laws to reflect this change. As a result, Maine will continue to allocate its presidential electors based on the state's own vote count, using its current system of awarding two at-large electors and one per congressional district. This bill directly affects Maine's presidential election process by reverting to the state's standard electoral vote allocation method.

Maddy summaryLD 1702 amends Maine election law to restrict candidate activities near polling places on election day. It prohibits candidates and one representative per candidate from asking voters to sign campaign petitions or request campaign donations within 250 feet of a polling place entrance or inside the polling location. The bill also clarifies that existing rules preventing voter influence apply to all candidates on the ballot - including write-in candidates - regardless of whether their name appears on the ballot. These changes directly affect candidates and their representatives by limiting campaign solicitation in close proximity to voting sites.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Maine residents aged 21+ to legally produce distilled spirits at home for personal use, including consumption by household members or sharing with family/friends (either on-site or via shipping). It sets specific limits: no distilling apparatus may exceed 15.5 gallons of mash capacity, no more than 24 proof gallons per person per year can be made, and the total annual limit is 48 proof gallons for the household. The bill explicitly prohibits selling or offering homemade spirits for sale and states that violations constitute a minor criminal offense (Class E). It directly affects homeowners in Maine who wish to distill small batches for personal consumption, not commercial producers.

Maddy summaryLD 1134 prohibits any Maine school receiving state funding from allowing a person whose biological sex was assigned at birth as male to participate in competitive sports designated for females or use facilities exclusively for females. The bill applies to all elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools in Maine that receive state funds, directly affecting their athletic programs and facility access policies. Key provisions require schools to restrict participation and facility use based on biological sex assigned at birth, as defined in the legislation. This policy change specifically targets competitive sports and designated female facilities within state-funded educational institutions. The bill does not address non-competitive activities or facilities not designated exclusively for females.