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MaineLD 1080132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act Prohibiting Public Utilities from Requiring Deposits Based Solely on a Residential Customer's Income

Sponsored By: Melanie Sachs (Democratic)

Became Law

UTILITY DISTRICTSUTILITY DISTRICTS - REGULATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Stronger protections on home utility deposits

Utilities cannot make you pay a deposit just because of your income. They can ask for a deposit only if they have proof you are likely a credit risk or likely to damage property, and they must give you that proof if you ask. Being new to the company is not proof, and you cannot be charged a deposit for that reason alone. You are an applicant if you have not been a customer of that utility in the 30 days before you apply.

Utility regulator must start rules in 30 days

The Public Utilities Commission must start rulemaking within 30 days after the law takes effect. These routine technical rules put the new deposit protections into practice.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Melanie Sachs

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Christopher Kessler

    Democratic • House

  • Kilton Webb

    Democratic • House

  • Mark W. Lawrence

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mathew McIntyre

    Republican • House

  • Nathan Wadsworth

    Republican • House

  • Nicole C. Grohoski

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sophia Warren

    Democratic • House

  • Steven Foster

    Republican • House

  • Walter Runte

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 114 • No: 90

Senate vote • 5/20/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 18 • No: 14

Senate vote • 5/20/2025

PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED

Yes: 19 • No: 13

House vote • 5/14/2025

Acc Maj OTP as Amended Rep

Yes: 77 • No: 63

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 115

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    5/22/2025Senate

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

    5/22/2025House

  4. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 176 Yeas 18 - Nays 14 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-86) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-86) in concurrence PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 177 Yeas 19 - Nays 13 - Excused 3 - Absent 0

    5/20/2025Senate

  5. Speaker laid before the HouseSubsequently, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 141(Yeas 77 - Nays 63 - Absent 10 - Excused 0 - Restricted - 1)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-86) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-86).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/14/2025House

  6. Unfinished Business

    5/13/2025House

  7. Unfinished Business

    5/7/2025House

  8. Unfinished Business

    5/6/2025House

  9. Reports READ.Representative KESSLER of South Portland moved to ACCEPT the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report.On motion of Representative MOONEN of Portland, TABLED pending the motion of Representative KESSLER of South Portland to ACCEPT the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report.Later today assigned.

    5/6/2025House

  10. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  11. Received by the Clerk of the House on March 14, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    3/14/2025House

Bill Text

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