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MaineLD 1738132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Establish the Biohazard Waste Disposal Grant Program to Support Public Health Efforts in the State

Sponsored By: Ambureen Rana (Democratic)

Became Law

WASTESWASTES - HAZARDOUS WASTES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

State grants for safer syringe disposal

The law creates a Biohazard Waste Disposal Grant Program at the Maine CDC. It funds community work to collect and safely dispose of hypodermic apparatuses (used needles and syringes). The Maine CDC may hire staff and pays grants quarterly when money is available. A nonlapsing fund holds public and private dollars, separate from other state money. The law allocates $500 in 2025–26 and $500 in 2026–27 to start the fund. The CDC sends a yearly report to lawmakers, covering November 1 to October 31.

Who can apply and spend grants

Community groups and towns can apply, including certified syringe exchange programs and municipal health departments. Applications must show community need, project goals, a budget, expected results, and a data plan. The Maine CDC prioritizes areas with more calls about discarded needles, strong partnerships, and proven or innovative strategies. Grants can buy and install indoor and outdoor disposal boxes in smart locations. Grants can pay for permanent disposal at an in‑state facility that meets state environmental standards. Grants can also hire and train staff and support other evidence‑based ways to prevent improper disposal.

Towns must match with opioid funds

If a town gets opioid settlement money and applies for this grant, it must match the full amount requested. The match must come from the town’s opioid settlement allocation. The matching money must be used for eligible program purposes under this law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ambureen Rana

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Anne Graham

    Democratic • House

  • Daniel Shagoury

    Democratic • House

  • Flavia DeBrito

    Democratic • House

  • Henry L. Ingwersen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Julia McCabe

    Democratic • House

  • Lucien Daigle

    Republican • House

  • Marianne Moore

    Republican • Senate

  • Samuel Zager

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 151 • No: 129

House vote • 6/25/2025

RECEDE AND CONCUR

Yes: 76 • No: 63

House vote • 6/5/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 75 • No: 66

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 509

    5/1/2026

  2. HELD BY THE GOVERNOR.

    7/8/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

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

    6/25/2025House

  5. The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-484) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-489) thereto.ROLL CALL NO. 597(Yeas 76 - Nays 63 - Absent 10 - Excused 2)ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/25/2025House

  6. 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" (H-484) On further motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby Committee Amendment "A" (H-484) was ADOPTED. On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-489) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-484) READ and ADOPTED. Committee Amendment "A" (H-484) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-489) thereto ADOPTED. PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-484) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-489) thereto in NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

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

    6/10/2025Senate

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

    6/9/2025House

  9. Reports READ. On motion by Senator INGWERSEN of York The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-484) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-484) in concurrence.

    6/9/2025Senate

  10. Reports READ.On motion of Representative MEYER of Eliot, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 346(Yeas 75 - Nays 66 - Absent 8 - Excused 2)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-484) 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-484). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/5/2025House

  11. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES in concurrence

    4/22/2025Senate

  12. Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/22/2025House

Bill Text

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