Sen. Trey Stewart

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 summaryLD 814 provides $9.75 million annually in state funding to Maine's Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to expand community-based services for older adults. The bill specifically adds case management and navigation services - helping seniors access resources and avoid financial exploitation - to existing programs like in-home care, meals, wellness services, and caregiver respite. Funding must be distributed to local AAAs based on regional needs identified by community advisory councils. This directly supports older Mainers, particularly those facing financial challenges or needing assistance to remain independent in their communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a low-interest loan program for graduates of accredited colleges entering trade professions, offering up to $20,000 at 2% annual interest with a maximum 10-year repayment term, plus potential loan forgiveness after five years of full-time employment in the trade. It also establishes a 25% tax credit for employers who reimburse trade tool costs for eligible employees within their first year of employment, subject to certification by Maine's Finance Authority. The program is funded through a dedicated nonlapsing "Loans for Trade Tools Fund" that receives state appropriations and loan repayments. The Finance Authority of Maine will administer both the loan program and employer certification process, with outreach efforts to inform students, families, and colleges about the initiative.

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 summaryThis bill prohibits financial institutions (like banks and payment networks) from using merchant category codes (MCCs) to identify, track, or disclose transactions involving firearm purchases, firearm accessories, or ammunition. It specifically bans institutions from labeling or linking payment card transactions to firearms dealers or firearm-related sales through codes or other indicators. The law also prevents financial institutions from disclosing protected financial information about firearm purchases to any entity outside of processing the transaction itself. This directly affects banks, credit unions, payment networks, and firearm dealers accepting card payments in Maine.

Maddy summaryLD 361 provides a one-time state appropriation of $200,000 from the General Fund to support the Francis Malcolm Science Center in Easton, Maine, for the 2025-26 fiscal year. This funding is intended to assist the center's operations and educational programs. The bill directly affects the Francis Malcolm Science Center and the students and educators it serves in Easton. It was introduced by Senator Bernard and cosponsored by several other legislators.

Maddy summaryLD 298 allocates state funds to create three mental health coordinator positions within the Maine State Police (one assigned to each of the Southern, Central, and Troop F field troops) and one Behavioral Health Coordinator Supervisor position to oversee them. These coordinators will work directly with community members who have interacted with law enforcement and require mental health or social services, making decisions about their health, safety, and welfare. The bill includes budget details for these roles, totaling approximately $403,000 annually for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years. This legislation adds mental health expertise to law enforcement responses without changing existing legal requirements.

Maddy summaryLD 1649 establishes a 12-member Blue Ribbon Commission to study the Maine Legislature's operations. The commission, appointed by legislative leadership and including public members with specific expertise, will examine 18 aspects of legislative functioning - including committee structures, budget processes, transparency, and bill drafting - aimed at improving efficiency and public trust. It must submit findings and recommendations by December 3, 2025, to the next legislative session. This procedural resolution directly affects how the Maine Legislature organizes its work, with no new laws created.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates Maine's Small Business Capital Savings Account Program, allowing eligible small businesses in farming, fishing, or forestry to earn tax deductions for contributions to special savings accounts. To qualify, businesses must be headquartered in Maine, have 99 or fewer employees, operate in one of the three specified industries, and meet federal tax classification rules. The program sets strict account rules: balances cannot exceed $250,000, funds can only cover business equipment or property purchases (capital expenditures), and all money must be withdrawn within a year if the business closes. Businesses must report withdrawals to the state for tax deduction verification, with the program capped at certifying up to 30 total businesses across the three industry categories.