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MaineLD 1697132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Increase Penalties to Deter Violations of the Laws Regarding Improper Pesticide Use

Sponsored By: Victoria Doudera (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

PESTICIDESPESTICIDES - BOARD OF PESTICIDES CONTROL

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Much higher fines for commercial violators

The law raises civil fines for businesses and commercial applicators who break pesticide rules. General violations can be fined up to $10,000. Unauthorized applications where evidence shows the violator benefited substantially can be fined up to $50,000; repeat violations within 4 years can reach $75,000 or $150,000. If only one person benefited substantially, that is prima facie evidence they are responsible. Private applicators have separate, lower penalties. The Board will also set a public penalty schedule by rule.

Higher fines for private applicators

The law raises fines for private applicators. A first violation can bring up to $1,000. A repeat violation within 4 years can bring up to $2,000. These limits apply to private applicators, including users of general‑use pesticides.

Property owners get more pesticide remedies

The Board must write rules that let each affected property owner sue separately when pesticide movement through soil or bedrock harms multiple properties. Regulators can also require restoration of damaged property and replacement of plants as a penalty. These remedies are in addition to money fines. If your land or crops were harmed by improper use, officials can order fixes.

Tebuthiuron now restricted‑use pesticide

The Board must label pesticides with the active ingredient tebuthiuron as restricted use. Only certified applicators or those meeting state rules can buy or apply them. This limits general sales and use of these products.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Victoria Doudera

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Allison Hepler

    Democratic • House

  • Lori Gramlich

    Democratic • House

  • William Pluecker

    Independent • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 74 • No: 67

House vote • 6/5/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 74 • No: 67

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 292

    6/12/2025

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/9/2025Senate

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

    6/9/2025House

  4. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator TALBOT ROSS of Cumberland the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-486) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-486) in concurrence

    6/5/2025Senate

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative PLUECKER of Warren, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 340(Yeas 74 - Nays 67 - Absent 8 - Excused 2)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-486) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-486). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/5/2025House

  6. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY in concurrence

    4/17/2025Senate

  7. Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/17/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-486), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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