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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)

Became Law

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONPUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION - PROCEDURES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Phone providers fund tech for schools, libraries

The commission creates a Telecommunications Education Access Fund. Voice providers that use phone numbers put into service in Maine must pay into the fund. Providers do not pay for numbers they hold but do not activate. The fund helps qualified schools and libraries, including the Raymond H. Fogler Library, buy and use advanced telecom technology. The commission may investigate providers to ensure they pay.

Limits on consumer-owned water rate hikes

If your home is served by a consumer-owned water utility, the utility can only propose a rate change up to 1.5% of its current total annual revenue. It can make this kind of proposal no more than once every 11 months. This limits how big and how often small rate adjustments can be requested.

Exemption for consumer-owned water utilities

Consumer-owned water utilities, as defined in state law, are exempt from the requirements of this chapter. This removes those statutory obligations for these utilities.

Funding set for interconnection help office

The law clarifies how the interconnection ombudsman is funded. Interconnection work can use fees the commission assesses on interconnections, plus federal funds and public or private contributions. A specific set of tasks must follow section 116 funding rules.

Gas safety fines set by rule

For natural gas pipelines and gas utilities, the commission now sets safety-violation fines by rule. The per-violation and related-series maximums cannot be higher than the federal limits in 49 C.F.R. 190.223. Each day a violation continues can count as a separate offense.

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. ACTPUB Chapter 110

    5/1/2026

  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

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