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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)

Became Law

AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FOREAGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORE - ADMINISTRATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New reporting on old-growth forests

Starting July 1, 2025, the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Department may prepare a statewide strategy to conserve late-successional and old-growth forests, if funds are available. It may seek help and money from other agencies and outside groups, and may send recommendations to the Legislature by November 4, 2026; the conservation committee may introduce related bills in 2027. Starting with the report due January 1, 2031, the department’s required forest report includes the status of late-successional and old-growth forests and actions taken since the last report.

Stronger oversight of rural land planning

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Land Use Planning Commission must share draft land use plans for unorganized and deorganized areas. It sends drafts to each regional planning commission and the Bureau Director for 30-day comments, and briefs the Legislature’s conservation committee in public. After provisional adoption, the commission sends the plan to the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner, who forwards it and the Governor’s comments to the Legislature within 30 days after the next session convenes. The Legislature must approve, reject, or require changes before adjournment; approval or inaction lets the commission finally adopt the plan. Material plan changes follow the same review. At its next plan update, the commission must also evaluate its lake program, including whether to reclassify lakes, methods, costs, funding, priorities, and added protection for undeveloped Management Class 7 lakes with outstanding resources.

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. ACTPUB Chapter 481

    5/1/2026

  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

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