Maddy summaryLD 1223 requires Maine's state General Fund to cover certain costs currently added to utility bills, directly lowering electric rates for ratepayers. It prohibits utilities from including costs for energy procurement (like renewable energy credits), kilowatt-hour credits, and commercial/institutional program expenses in customer rates after January 1, 2027. Instead, these costs must be paid from the newly established Energy Procurement Cost Fund and Net Energy Billing Cost Stabilization Fund, both funded by the General Fund. The bill also mandates biennial cost estimates from utilities and a reconciliation process for overpayments to these funds. This policy change shifts financial responsibility from ratepayers to state taxpayers for specific utility program costs.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Maine to issue $50 million in general obligation bonds to fund the design, construction, or retrofitting of manufacturing facilities producing mass timber. The funds would be administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development through its Dirigo business incentives program, specifically supporting facilities using sustainably harvested Maine forest products. Mass timber includes engineered wood products like cross-laminated timber and glue-laminated timber. The bond issue requires voter approval via referendum, with a November election question asking if residents support the $50 million bond for this purpose.
Maddy summaryThis bill ends Maine's net energy billing program, which allowed residential and commercial solar customers to receive bill credits for excess electricity they sent back to the grid. It repeals all existing rules governing this program (including sections 3209-A, 3209-B, and 3209-C) and explicitly prohibits the Public Utilities Commission from requiring utilities to offer net energy billing in the future. The change directly affects current and future solar customers who previously relied on this billing method for compensation. It shifts Maine's policy away from compensating solar generators for exported energy toward a different framework for distributed generation.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows Maine home health care and hospice providers to deliver services to Maine residents based on orders from licensed health care providers in other states. To qualify, the out-of-state provider must hold a valid license in their state, have performed an in-person patient exam in their jurisdiction, and verify their license with the Maine provider. The bill also requires the out-of-state provider to ask if the patient has a Maine primary care provider and, if so, to contact that provider and document the effort. This applies directly to patients receiving home health or hospice care in Maine who obtain service orders from providers outside the state.
Maddy summaryLD 1975 repeals the Advanced Technology Infrastructure Act, which created the ConnectMaine Authority. This eliminates the state agency responsible for overseeing broadband infrastructure projects and funding in Maine. The bill removes ConnectMaine's role in managing broadband expansion policy but does not change current broadband service rules or funding mechanisms.
Maddy summaryLD 382 would create a system where fees for commercial, industrial, and recreational use of Maine's coastal resources (like fishing, tourism, and port activities) are collected. Revenue from these fees would be split: a portion retained by the state for oversight and enforcement, and the remainder distributed to coastal communities most impacted by resource use. A new revenue sharing board - comprising state agencies, local governments, and stakeholders - would administer the program and manage fee collection and distribution. This directly affects coastal businesses, residents, and municipalities along Maine's shoreline.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Maine's electricity utilities from including certain net energy billing program costs in customer rates. Specifically, after June 30, 2026, utilities cannot recover costs related to customer-generated solar energy credits (kilowatt-hour credit program) or commercial/institutional net energy billing programs through rate hikes. Instead, these costs must be paid from the state's General Fund via a newly created Net Energy Billing Cost Stabilization Fund. The Public Utilities Commission will manage payments to utilities from this fund, requiring annual cost estimates and a process to return overpayments. This directly affects electricity consumers by preventing rate increases tied to these programs and shifts the funding responsibility to state taxpayers.
Maddy summaryLD 366 amends Maine's tax code to explicitly include retirement benefits from the Space Force, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Public Health Service under the definition of "military retirement plan." This change ensures that retired members of these uniformed services can claim the same income tax deduction for their pension benefits as those from traditional military branches like the Army or Navy. The bill affects Maine residents who are retired members of these services and receive qualifying retirement benefits reported as pension income for federal tax purposes. It does not alter the deduction amount but makes the eligibility consistent across all qualifying retirement plans under Maine's income tax laws.
Maddy summaryLD 1733 establishes the Improvements to Logging and Fishing Enterprises Loan Program through Maine's Finance Authority. It provides loans with interest rates capped at 2% (based on the federal prime rate) for eligible logging and fishing businesses in Maine. The program funds capital equipment purchases, refinancing, or security for insured loans, requiring applicants to contribute at least 5% of project costs for larger projects. This directly affects Maine's logging enterprises (independent tree harvesters) and fishing enterprises (commercial harvesters, aquaculturists, and cooperatives) by making capital more accessible. The bill aims to increase business investment and stability in these key industries through reduced financing costs.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Maine law to create a new Class A crime for fentanyl trafficking that directly causes serious bodily injury from an overdose. Specifically, it targets cases where fentanyl trafficked by a defendant contributes to another person's serious injury resulting from an overdose. The law upgrades penalties for fentanyl trafficking causing such injury (currently a Class B crime for other drugs) to a more severe Class A offense. It applies only to fentanyl powder and requires the trafficked drug to be a contributing factor in the injury. This changes the legal classification for these specific cases without altering other trafficking penalties.