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MaineLD 1450132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act Regarding the Voluntary Municipal Farm Support Program

Sponsored By: Mike Tipping (Democratic)

Became Law

AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FOREAGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORE - RULES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Local farm support program with 10-year terms

The law creates a Voluntary Municipal Farm Support Program. Towns can make agreements with owners of qualified farmland. The minimum term for these agreements is now 10 years, down from 20. The program protects farms and helps ease town costs from new rural development.

State rules to run farm program

The state agriculture department must issue rules for the program. These are major substantive rules under state law. The rules explain how towns and farmland owners take part.

Local approval and caps on farm deals

A farm support deal must be approved locally. A majority of the town’s legislative body or municipal officers can approve, or a designated town employee may do so. If a deal would affect more than 3% of the town’s total taxable land value, or more than 1% in a single year, it needs a two‑thirds vote of the legislative body. These limits protect the tax base while still allowing larger deals with supermajority support.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mike Tipping

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bruce Bickford

    Republican • Senate

  • Craig V. Hickman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Henry L. Ingwersen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marshall Archer

    Democratic • House

  • Matthew Beck

    Democratic • House

  • Rachel Talbot Ross

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sharon Frost

    Independent • House

  • Stacy F. Brenner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Timothy E. Nangle

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 216

    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-176).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/2/2025House

  5. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-176) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-176).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    5/29/2025Senate

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

    4/22/2025House

  7. Taken from the table by the President On motion by Senator TALBOT ROSS of Cumberland The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY Sent down for concurrence

    4/17/2025Senate

  8. Unfinished Business

    4/15/2025Senate

  9. Unfinished Business

    4/10/2025Senate

  10. Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY suggested and ordered printed On motion by Senator TALBOT ROSS of Cumberland Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending REFERENCE Unfinished Business

    4/8/2025Senate

Bill Text

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