PRIA Logo™
MaineLD 1686132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Clarify, Align and Amend Provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A

Sponsored By: Melanie Sachs (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONPUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION - PROCEDURES

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Limits on consumer-owned water rate hikes

A consumer-owned water utility can only ask for a rate increase up to 1.5% of current rates. It may not file for a rate change more than once every 11 months.

Funding rules for interconnection ombudsman

Funding for the interconnection ombudsman comes from fees collected under the interconnection law, federal money, and public or private contributions. A specific set of interconnection activities follows the funding rules in section 116.

New exemption for consumer-owned water utilities

Consumer-owned water utilities, as defined in state law, are exempt from this chapter’s requirements. This reduces state rules on those utilities and may change how they are regulated.

Gas safety fines tied to federal cap

The Public Utilities Commission now sets gas safety penalties by rule. Per-violation and related maximum fines cannot exceed the federal limits in 49 C.F.R. §190.223. Each day of a violation counts as a separate offense.

Phone providers fund school internet access

The commission creates a telecommunications education access fund. Voice providers must contribute when they put Maine phone numbers into service; no payment is due for numbers not yet in service. Money, with interest, is available to qualified schools, libraries, and the Raymond H. Fogler Library to support advanced telecom technology. The commission may investigate compliance.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Melanie Sachs

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 110

    5/23/2025

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    5/21/2025Senate

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

    5/20/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCEUnder suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED, in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    5/14/2025Senate

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/13/2025House

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

    4/17/2025Senate

  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.

    4/17/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation