Rep. Tavis Hasenfus

Maddy summaryLD 794 amends Maine's retirement law to add judicial marshals to the 1998 Special Plan for Retirement. It specifically includes judicial marshals employed by the judicial branch on or after October 1, 2025, in the retirement plan eligibility. This change applies only to new hires starting October 2025, not current employees. The bill expands the existing retirement plan to cover this role without altering benefits for current participants.

Maddy summaryLD 1282 amends Maine's historic preservation funding rules to allow properties designated as historic by local municipal ordinances (but not yet on the National Register of Historic Places) to qualify for bond proceeds. The bill directs the Maine Historic Preservation Commission to create rules by November 30, 2025, for distributing funds from Public Law 2023, Chapter 653 bonds to these locally designated properties. It specifically expands eligibility beyond the current requirement of National Register listing or nomination. This change directly affects local historic properties in Maine communities that have established their own preservation designations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new independent auditor position within Maine's Attorney General's Office to oversee the Maine Information and Analysis Center (MIAC). The auditor will monitor MIAC's operations to ensure legal compliance, protect privacy and civil liberties, and maintain public transparency. Key provisions require the auditor to publish de-identified reports online annually, including progress on oversight goals and responses to data requests, while safeguarding confidential information. The bill also clarifies that non-classified MIAC information shared with private entities is subject to Maine's public records law. This directly affects MIAC's operations and provides the public with greater visibility into its activities.

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 534 requires professional investigators working for criminal defendants (such as defense attorneys or the Maine Commission on Public Defense) to disclose specific information to crime victims and witnesses *before* contacting them. This includes the investigation's purpose, who the investigator represents (the defendant), and that victims/witnesses are not obligated to speak with them. The bill also mandates that investigators immediately stop all contact if a victim or witness requests it, in writing or orally. For minors involved in criminal cases, investigators must first obtain consent from a parent or guardian (not the defendant) before communicating with the minor.

Maddy summaryLD 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides one-time funding of $1.09 million for fiscal year 2025-26 and $2.27 million for 2026-27 to the Maine Resiliency Center in Lewiston. It directly supports residents statewide affected by trauma through existing services focused on connection, information, and support. The funding enables the Center to continue and expand its current programs without creating new initiatives. This is a financial allocation from the General Fund, not a new policy or service mandate. The bill specifically targets trauma recovery services for community members, not other healthcare areas.

Maddy summaryLD 1521 requires all Maine state agencies (including Executive, Legislative, and Judicial departments) to justify every program and activity from scratch using zero-based budgeting once every 10 years, starting with the 2027-28 fiscal budget. During non-zero-based years, agencies must submit budget recommendations including 5% and 10% funding reduction scenarios. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services must review state budget laws by January 2026 to enable this system and propose necessary statutory changes. This policy shifts budgeting from incremental adjustments to requiring full justification of all spending every decade.

Maddy summaryLD 244 creates a program to provide safe, short-term housing for 2 months to indigent individuals recently released from Maine correctional facilities. The Department of Corrections, working with the Maine State Housing Authority, will administer this program using a new fund financed by state appropriations, grants, and donations. Housing must meet all safety, sanitation, and building codes, including private facilities, and includes specific provisions for individuals convicted of sex offenses. The bill also requires the Maine State Housing Authority to study long-term housing solutions by December 2025 and report findings to the legislature.

Maddy summaryLD 1955 establishes two new programs to support child care providers and early childhood educators in Maine. The Maine Child Care Affordability Program provides funding to help these workers pay for licensed child care for their own children, requiring both the worker and their child to use facilities meeting quality standards. A separate Salary Sustainability Program for Child Care Professionals aims to improve retention by supporting educators' salaries through the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill directs the department to create implementing rules, including funding limits and quality standards, while repealing an outdated section of law. This directly affects licensed child care workers and their families seeking affordable, quality care.