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MaineLD 1270132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Establish the Department of Energy Resources

Sponsored By: Walter Runte (Democratic)

Became Law

ELECTRIC UTILITIESELECTRIC UTILITIES - PLANNING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

State picks highest rate for construction pay

Maine now sets prevailing hourly pay and benefits for construction using clearer rules. Each year the Bureau uses three sources: a July wage survey, July certified payrolls from state public works, and federal Davis-Bacon rates. It picks the highest wage-plus-benefits number and may also consider data from trade groups and unions. Survey and payroll data are due by the second week of October, and unions send their latest bargained rates. A classification’s published rate cannot drop by more than 15% from last year. Benefits include health, pension or IRA, vacation or annuity contributions, and per diem in lieu of wages.

Prevailing wages and training on energy projects

When the department selects a project for a contract for energy from a state-assisted project, contractors and subcontractors must pay all construction workers at or above the state’s prevailing hourly wage. They must also follow state safety and apprenticeship rules. This protects worker pay and training standards and adds compliance duties and costs for contractors on those projects.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Walter Runte

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Christopher Kessler

    Democratic • House

  • Kilton Webb

    Democratic • House

  • Mark W. Lawrence

    Democratic • Senate

  • Melanie Sachs

    Democratic • House

  • Richard A. Bennett

    Independent • Senate

  • Sophia Warren

    Democratic • House

  • Valli Geiger

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 189 • No: 172

Senate vote • 6/18/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 19 • No: 15

Senate vote • 6/17/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 16 • No: 19

House vote • 6/17/2025

ADOPT HAH-771 TO CAH-746

Yes: 77 • No: 69

House vote • 6/17/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 77 • No: 69

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 476

    5/1/2026

  2. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

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

    6/18/2025Senate

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

    6/18/2025House

  5. Taken from the table by the President Subsequently The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-746) Report ACCEPTED PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 626 Yeas 19 - Nays 15 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-746) READ House Amendment "A" (H-771) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-746) READ and ADOPTED Committee Amendment "A" (H-746) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-771) thereto ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-746) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-771) thereto in concurrence

    6/18/2025Senate

  6. Reports ReadMotion by Senator LAWRENCE of York to ACCEPT the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report FAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 616 Yeas 16 - Nays 19 - Excused 0 - Absent 0 On motion by Same Senator the Senate RECONSIDERED their actions whereby The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-746) Report FAILED. On further motion by Same Senator Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ACCEPTANCE of The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-746) Report in concurrence. Unfinished Business

    6/17/2025Senate

  7. Speaker laid before the HouseSubsequently, on motion of Representative RUNTE of York, House Amendment "A" (H-771) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-746) was READ and ADOPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 561(Yeas 77 - Nays 69 - Absent 3 - Excused 2)Committee Amendment "A" (H-746) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-771) thereto was 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-746) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-771) thereto.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/17/2025House

  8. Reports READ.On motion of Representative RUNTE of York, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 536(Yeas 77 - Nays 69 - Absent 3 - Excused 2)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-746) was READ.On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, TABLED pending ADOPTION of Committee Amendment "A" (H-746) Later today assigned.

    6/17/2025House

  9. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY in concurrence

    3/25/2025Senate

  10. Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/25/2025House

Bill Text

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