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MaineLD 1519132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Create a Stewardship Program for Electronic Smoking Devices and Related Products

Sponsored By: Lori Gramlich (Democratic)

Became Law

WASTESWASTES - RECYCLING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Producers must fund vape take-back

Producers must run and pay for a stewardship program to collect, transport, reuse, recycle, or dispose of electronic smoking devices. Producers pay for consumer incentives, education, reporting, and department oversight fees, which are capped at $100,000 per program each year. Each program must have at least a half‑time dedicated staffer unless the department allows less. One hundred eighty days after plan approval, producers may not sell vapes in the State unless they participate in an approved program. The Department of Environmental Protection enforces the law and can issue routine technical rules.

Retailers must take back vapes

All retailers must serve as collection locations within 3 years after a plan is approved. If a retailer refuses, the program must notify the department within 90 days. Programs cannot charge a fee to a store to participate as a collection site.

Strict plans and reports for vape programs

Producers must file a stewardship plan by November 1, 2027, with full details on collection, transport, processing, outreach, measurement, and budgets. The department has 120 days to decide on a plan or amendment and posts approvals within 30 days; approved plans must start within 180 days. Programs must report each year by March 1 with collection data, performance, outreach results, and finances; if a point‑of‑sale per‑unit fee is used, an annual third‑party audit must show fee revenue does not exceed costs. Programs must run education and outreach and meet minimum goals (for example, 50% resident awareness by year 3 and 70% by year 6, or 50% diversion by year 4, or another approved goal). Proprietary submissions are confidential, and organizers have limited antitrust immunity to coordinate collection and recycling.

One-time DEP funding for oversight

The state funds one limited‑period Environmental Specialist III position in fiscal year 2026–27 to support this law. The total is $109,480 ($104,480 for pay and benefits, $5,000 for other costs).

Cash for vape returns and disposal rules

You get at least $2 for each unwanted vape you return, up to 2 per day ($4/day). Once an approved program starts, you may not throw vapes in the trash; use a program drop-off site or a licensed hazardous-waste transporter. Within one year of collection start, permanent sites are within 15 miles of 90% of residents unless the department approves an equivalent alternative. The program must keep bins from overflowing. Cities, tribes, schools, and retailers that ask are added as collection sites within 90 days; school sites accept staff and confiscated student devices.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lori Gramlich

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Arthur Bell

    Democratic • House

  • Denise Tepler

    Democratic • Senate

  • Laurie Osher

    Democratic • House

  • Morgan Rielly

    Democratic • House

  • Victoria Doudera

    Democratic • House

  • William Bridgeo

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 208 • No: 172

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

ENACTMENT

Yes: 21 • No: 13

House vote • 4/14/2026

Enactment

Yes: 75 • No: 68

House vote • 6/10/2025

RECEDE AND CONCUR

Yes: 74 • No: 67

Senate vote • 6/9/2025

ADOPT SENATE AMENDMENT (S-292) to LD 1519

Yes: 19 • No: 12

Senate vote • 6/9/2025

PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED

Yes: 19 • No: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 769

    5/4/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 957 Yeas 21 - Nays 13 - Excused 1 - Absent 0

    4/14/2026Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. ROLL CALL NO. 816(Yeas 75 - Nays 68 - Absent 7 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/14/2026House

  4. On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland the Senate RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-1054) thereto AND Senate Amendment "A" (S-292) Ordered sent down forthwith.

    4/13/2026Senate

  5. On motion of Speaker FECTEAU of Biddeford, the House RECEDED.On motion of Representative GATTINE of Westbrook, House Amendment "A" (H-1054) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) was READ and ADOPTED.Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-1054) thereto and Senate Amendment "A" (S-292) was ADOPTED.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-1054) and Senate Amendment "A" (S-292) thereto.In NON-CONCURRENCE and sent for concurrence.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/13/2026House

  6. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table. Same Senator moved to SUSPEND THE RULES to RECONSIDER whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) in concurrence. On motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook OBJECTED. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin Bill and accompanying papers COMMITTED to the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs In NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence.

    4/13/2026Senate

  7. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.

    6/25/2025Senate

  8. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence

    6/11/2025Senate

  9. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

  10. The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) and Senate Amendment "A" (S-292) ROLL CALL NO. 393(Yeas 74 - Nays 67 - Absent 8 - Excused 2)ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

  11. Taken from the table by the President The Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) Report ACCEPTED. READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME. On motion by Senator TEPLER of Sagadahoc Senate Amendment "A" (S-292) READ and ADOPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 397 Yeas 19 - Nays 12 - Excused 4 - Absent 0 PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) and Senate Amendment "A" (S-292) in NON-CONCURRENCE. PREVAILED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number Roll Call Ordered Yeas 19 - Nays 12 - Excused 4 - Absent 0 Sent down for concurrence

    6/9/2025Senate

  12. Unfinished Business

    6/5/2025Senate

  13. Unfinished Business

    6/4/2025Senate

  14. Unfinished Business

    6/3/2025Senate

  15. On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ACCEPTANCE of the OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) Report in concurrence. Unfinished Business

    6/2/2025Senate

  16. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/2/2025House

  17. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES in concurrence

    4/8/2025Senate

  18. Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/8/2025House

Bill Text

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