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MaineLD 1529132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Enhance the Protection of High-value Natural Resources Statewide

Sponsored By: Richard A. Bennett (Independent)

Signed by Governor

AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FOREAGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORE - ADMINISTRATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Annual report on old-growth forests

Starting January 1, 2031, the required statewide report includes the status of late‑successional and old‑growth forests. It must also list actions taken since the last report to improve conservation on public and private land.

Lake protections and classes under review

As part of the next comprehensive plan update, the commission must review how well its lake management program works. The review must consider whether to reclassify all lakes or only some lakes. It must lay out how to change classes, likely costs, funding sources, and priorities. It must also consider added measures to protect undeveloped Management Class 7 lakes with outstanding natural resources.

More state review of land-use plans

The Land Use Planning Commission must send any draft plan to each regional planning commission and to the DACF Bureau Director. They have 30 days to send comments. The commission must consider those comments before finalizing a plan. After provisional adoption, the commission must send the plan to the DACF Commissioner, who sends it with the Governor’s comments to the Legislature at its next regular session. The Legislature must approve, disapprove, or require changes before adjournment. If it approves or takes no action, the commission may finally adopt the plan. If it disapproves or requires changes, the commission must revise and resubmit. The same review applies to any material change to the plan.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Richard A. Bennett

    Independent • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Allison Hepler

    Democratic • House

  • Henry L. Ingwersen

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Dill

    Democratic • House

  • John Eder

    Republican • House

  • Sharon Frost

    Independent • House

  • Stacy F. Brenner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Stephan Bunker

    Democratic • House

  • William Bridgeo

    Democratic • House

  • William Pluecker

    Independent • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 481

    7/1/2025

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

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

    6/25/2025House

  4. The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-271) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-478) thereto.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/25/2025House

  5. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table On motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-271) On further motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby Committee Amendment "A" (S-271) was ADOPTED. On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-478) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-271) READ and ADOPTED. Committee Amendment "A" (S-271) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-478) thereto ADOPTED. PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-271) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-478) thereto in NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

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

    6/10/2025Senate

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

    6/9/2025House

  8. 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-271).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/9/2025House

  9. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-271) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-271).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    6/5/2025Senate

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

    4/8/2025House

  11. 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

    4/8/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (S-271), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Amendment S-A to C-A (S-478), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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