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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)

Signed by Governor

UTILITY DISTRICTSUTILITY DISTRICTS - REGULATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

No income-based utility deposits; proof required

A utility cannot make you pay a deposit just because of your income. If it asks for a deposit, it must have proof you are likely a credit risk or likely to damage utility property, and it must give you that proof if you ask. Being new to the utility does not count as proof. An applicant is someone who has not been that utility’s customer in the past 30 days.

State utility commission must write deposit rules

The Maine Public Utilities Commission must start rulemaking within 30 days after the law takes effect. It must write rules to carry out and enforce the new limits on residential utility deposits. These rules are routine technical rules under state law.

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

PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED

Yes: 19 • No: 13

Senate vote • 5/20/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 18 • No: 14

House vote • 5/14/2025

Acc Maj OTP as Amended Rep

Yes: 77 • No: 63

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 115

    5/23/2025

  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

  • Amendment C-A (H-86), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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