# Maine LD 124: An Act to Protect the Right to Food

Maine LD 124, An Act to Protect the Right to Food, is a 132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026) Senate bill sponsored by Craig V. Hickman (Democratic); status became law, last action 2025-06-15 (ACTPUB Chapter 309); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD124-132
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Maine LD 124
- State: Maine
- Session: 132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)
- Title: An Act to Protect the Right to Food
- Status: became law
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-08
- Last action: 2025-06-15, ACTPUB Chapter 309
- Sponsor: Craig V. Hickman (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: FOOD, FOOD - REGULATIONS
- Touches household money: yes
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 4

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Right to garden and public food spaces: benefit, medium. You have the right to grow a vegetable garden on your own property anywhere in Maine. You can also garden on private land if the owner gives permission. Towns and other local governments can create permaculture, food forests, and community gardens on public land and accept donations to run them. Th…
- Easier direct food sales and local rules: benefit, low. The law clarifies who counts as a food producer and a consumer for direct sales. It lists products like eggs, honey, herbs, nuts, maple products, canned goods, baked items, and prepared foods as allowed in direct producer‑to‑consumer transactions. Cities, towns, and counties can pass local food‑sov…
- State policy: protected right to food: benefit, low. The law declares the right to food as a protected value in state policy. It sets food sovereignty principles that center fair, culturally appropriate food, local control of resources, and traditional foodways. Agencies are directed to focus on equity and reducing household food insecurity. These ch…
- Public land farm leases and priorities: mixed, low. The State can lease public land for growing crops, hay, or pasture with the Governor’s and commissioner’s consent. Leases can be ended by the bureau at any time, and lessees get no compensation if a lease is ended. Priority consideration may go to veterans and to people with a history of generation…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Craig V. Hickman (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (8)

- 2025-06-15: ACTPUB Chapter 309
- 2025-06-02: PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. (Senate)
- 2025-06-02: PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. (House)
- 2025-05-29: 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. (House)
- 2025-05-28: 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. (Senate)
- 2025-03-21: CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519. (Senate)
- 2025-01-08: The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. (House)
- 2025-01-08: 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 (Senate)

## Bill text

- Amendment C-A (S-162), adopted by House & Senate: [PDF](https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0050&item=2&snum=132)
- Enacted: [PDF](https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0050&item=3&snum=132)
- Introduced: [PDF](https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0050&item=1&snum=132)

## Related bills

- LD 1522: An Act to Establish the Maine Eviction Prevention Program (failed)
- LD 1665: An Act to Provide Property Tax Relief to Maine Families (failed)
- LD 1872: An Act to Reinvest in the Pension Funds of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (failed)
- LD 2067: An Act to Include Community Mental Health Workers Under the 1998 Special Plan for Retirement (failed)
- LD 1611: An Act to Decrease the Retirement Contributions Required for Teachers and State Employees (failed)
- LD 1294: An Act to Expand the Dependent Exemption Tax Credit (failed)

## Sources
- [Amendment C-A (S-162), adopted by House & Senate (PDF)](https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0050&item=2&snum=132)
- [Enacted (PDF)](https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0050&item=3&snum=132)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0050&item=1&snum=132)

## Related
- [LD 1522: An Act to Establish the Maine Eviction Prevention Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD1522-132)
- [LD 1665: An Act to Provide Property Tax Relief to Maine Families](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD1665-132)
- [LD 1872: An Act to Reinvest in the Pension Funds of the Maine Public Employees Retiremen…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD1872-132)
- [LD 2067: An Act to Include Community Mental Health Workers Under the 1998 Special Plan f…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD2067-132)
- [LD 1611: An Act to Decrease the Retirement Contributions Required for Teachers and State…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD1611-132)
- [LD 1294: An Act to Expand the Dependent Exemption Tax Credit](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD1294-132)
- [Maine bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/maine/bills)
- [Maine state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/maine)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD124-132 (as of 2026-10-17).