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MaineLD 1412132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Increase Contingency Reserves for Maine's Consumer-owned Electric Transmission and Distribution Utilities

Sponsored By: John Ducharme (Republican)

Became Law

ELECTRIC UTILITIESELECTRIC UTILITIES - PLANNING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Bigger utility reserves, guardrails for ratepayers

Maine consumer-owned electric utilities now have a higher reserve cap: 40% of yearly revenues above operating needs. The 40% calculation excludes purchased power costs. The Public Utilities Commission can approve a higher percentage. A year-end balance cannot exceed the allowed target; any excess must lower future revenue needs when rates are set. Up to half of the reserve may be used for capital projects. Interest earned must stay in the reserve.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • John Ducharme

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Daniel Sayre

    Democratic • House

  • Gregory Swallow

    Republican • House

  • Trey L. Stewart

    Republican • Senate

  • Joseph Rafferty

    Democratic • Senate

  • Roger Albert

    Republican • House

  • Steven Foster

    Republican • House

  • Susan Bernard

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 214

    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. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-286) Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-286) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-286) in concurrence.

    5/29/2025Senate

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-286) 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-286). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/28/2025House

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

    4/1/2025Senate

  7. 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.

    4/1/2025House

Bill Text

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