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MaineLD 124132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Protect the Right to Food

Sponsored By: Craig V. Hickman (Democratic)

Became Law

FOODFOOD - REGULATIONS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Right to grow food at home

You have the right to grow a vegetable garden on your own property anywhere in Maine. You can also grow food on someone else’s private land if that owner gives you permission. The State and local governments cannot ban or regulate gardens in ways that conflict with this law. General health and safety rules (like water use, setbacks, or pesticide limits) can still apply if they do not effectively ban gardens. The law defines what counts as a vegetable garden, food forest, and permaculture so the rules are clear.

Local control for direct food sales

Cities, towns, plantations, and some counties can adopt local food laws for traditional foodways and direct producer-to-consumer sales. The State does not enforce conflicting state rules in those places, subject to specified exceptions in law. These local rules can also cover unorganized territories if residents opt in as the county sets out. The chapter’s protections apply to older local ordinances from before October 31, 2017. Courts and agencies must read local food ordinances broadly to make them work. The law also clarifies who is a producer or consumer, what foods are covered, and where direct sales can happen.

More community gardens and edible landscaping

Local governments can create programs for permaculture, edible landscaping, food forests, and community gardens on public land, including parks, school grounds, parking lots, and rights-of-way. They can use public or private money and partner with outside groups to plan and maintain them. The Capitol Park Commission will add food-producing plants to part of Capitol Park when it fits the park plan and funding is available, and it can accept money, seeds, and plants to help.

Right to food and equity goals

State policy now centers the constitutional right to food and a set of food sovereignty principles. Agencies focus on closing equity gaps in food insecurity and lifting the voices of people who face hunger. The State promotes food self-sufficiency and local food economies. A review panel may, to the extent practicable, give priority to applicants with a history of generational poverty or land dispossession and to veterans. Veteran status follows 38 C.F.R. §3.1 and service in the Maine National Guard or U.S. Reserves.

Farm on public land, leases can end

The state land bureau can lease state, reserved, and nonreserved public land so people can grow crops, hay, or pasture livestock. Each lease requires consent from state leaders and must allow the bureau to end the lease at any time with no compensation to the lessee. The bureau may give priority to applicants with a history of generational poverty or land dispossession, and to veterans (as defined in federal rules or by service in the Maine Guard or U.S. Reserves). This opens access to land but creates financial risk if you invest and the lease ends.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Craig V. Hickman

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 309

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/2/2025Senate

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

    6/2/2025House

  4. 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" (S-162).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/29/2025House

  5. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-162) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-162).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    5/28/2025Senate

  6. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025Senate

  7. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/8/2025House

  8. Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    1/8/2025Senate

Bill Text

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