Rep. Karen Montell

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending Maine's Constitution to establish the State Auditor as a constitutional officer, meaning the position would be defined directly in the state constitution rather than by statute. It would require the State Auditor to be elected every four years by a joint vote of the Senate and House of Representatives, with vacancies during legislative recesses filled by the Senate President. The amendment must then be approved by voters in a statewide referendum, where they would vote "Yes" or "No" on the question: "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to establish the State Auditor as a constitutional officer?" If ratified, the change would take effect after the referendum.

Maddy summaryLD 260 is a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to Maine's constitution that would guarantee equal rights under the law for all residents, prohibiting discrimination by the state or local governments based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, ancestry, or national origin. This amendment would directly affect all Maine residents by legally requiring state and local entities to provide equal treatment without regard to these protected characteristics. The resolution requires a statewide referendum in the next November election, where voters would decide whether to adopt the amendment by answering "Yes" or "No" on a ballot. If approved by a majority of voters, the amendment would become part of Maine's constitution, giving the Legislature authority to create enforcing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State of Maine to pay 100% of the Medicare Part B premium for retired state employees and retired teachers who enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. It applies specifically to retirees not eligible for federally approved Medicaid services. The policy change takes effect January 1, 2026, covering the full cost of Medicare Part B premiums under approved Medicare Advantage plans. This directly affects retired state workers and educators by eliminating their out-of-pocket expense for this Medicare coverage. The bill creates a new state financial obligation for these specific retiree groups.

Maddy summaryLD 1927 requires Maine landlords to inspect and address water leaks within 24 hours and repair the source within 5 days. For visible mold or dampness, landlords must inspect within 5 days of tenant notice, create a written remediation plan within 10 days, and use certified professionals for mold over 6 square feet. Landlords must disclose existing leaks, mold, or dampness to tenants before renting and cannot offer units with active issues. Tenants must notify landlords of leaks and grant access for inspections and repairs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine's Attorney General to create and maintain a publicly available model residential lease on the state website by December 1, 2025, updating it biennially (every two years) on odd-numbered years. The model must comply with current law, include required disclosures, and be developed with input from both tenant and landlord advocacy groups. It mandates neutrality (not favoring either side) and requires a 30-day public comment period on draft versions before final posting. The model lease directly assists landlords and tenants by providing a reference tool for standardizing agreements, though it does not replace existing legal requirements for leases.

Maddy summaryLD 1359 is a legislative resolve directing Maine's Department of Transportation to develop new practices for public transit. It requires the department to: (1) publish annual funding allocations for transit operators online and in print, showing total funds and individual allocations; (2) reduce the local funding match required for rural transit operators; and (3) improve coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services to better connect transit services to healthcare providers. The department must report its progress on these actions to the Transportation Committee by December 3, 2025. This resolve directly affects public transit operators (especially rural ones) and healthcare consumers seeking transportation to medical services.

Maddy summaryLD 1672 makes participation in Maine's adult use cannabis tracking system voluntary for licensees (growers, processors, and retailers). The bill amends state law to allow licensees to opt out of the tracking system, which previously required mandatory use. Key provisions include permitting licensees to track cannabis plants or products by group (under specific conditions like same growth stage and harvest plan) and requiring data submission via manual entry or compatible software. This change directly affects cannabis businesses by reducing administrative requirements for those choosing not to participate.

Maddy summaryLD 1756 establishes a Transportation Project Selection Council to create a statewide process for prioritizing transportation projects funded by state and federal sources. The Council, composed of representatives from state agencies, regional planning organizations, transit agencies, environmental groups, and community interests (including low-income and immigrant communities), must develop a prioritization framework considering highway, transit, rail, and active transportation improvements. The bill requires the Council to hold at least three annual public meetings (with one in person), accept public input before finalizing the process, and publish an annual report detailing how projects were evaluated. This process will directly guide funding decisions by the Maine Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike Authority for transportation projects across the state.

Maddy summaryLD 1407 directs Maine's Board of Occupational Safety and Health to develop indoor air quality standards for buildings where public sector workers (such as teachers, government employees, and healthcare staff in public facilities) work. The bill requires the board to establish standards covering specific pollutants including carbon monoxide, mold, volatile organic compounds, and aerosols, with aerosol rules meeting or exceeding ASHRAE Standard 241 (2023). The board must publish proposed rules by February 15, 2026, under routine technical rule procedures. These standards will apply exclusively to public-sector workplaces, not private buildings.

Maddy summaryLD 1033 creates a permit system for events where judges evaluate malt liquor, wine, or spirits based on set criteria to determine winners. Organizers must apply 15 days in advance, pay a $20 fee, and follow strict rules including limiting samples to 4 ounces of malt liquor, 1.5 ounces of wine, or 0.5 ounces of spirits per person (with a maximum of 12 samples total). Homemade liquor producers can enter competitions but cannot sell their products, and events must track attendance, prohibit minors, and prevent self-service pouring. The bill also clarifies that homemade liquor may be entered in permitted events if tax requirements are met, but remains for personal use only.