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MaineLD 1751132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Improve the Growth Management Program Laws

Sponsored By: Tiffany Roberts (Democratic)

Became Law

HOUSINGHOUSING - REGULATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Clear affordability rules and local targets

The law sets clear tests for what counts as affordable housing. For renters, your income must be at or below 80% of area median income and your monthly housing costs must be no more than 30% of your income. For owners, your income must be at or below 120% of area median income and monthly housing costs must be no more than 30% of your income. Towns must seek to make at least 10% of new homes affordable, based on their five‑year average of new housing. Service center communities must ensure at least 10% of all homes in town are affordable.

Clear rules for growth and rural areas

Towns must show growth and rural areas in their future land use plan, by map or description. In growth areas, towns set clear development standards, offer timely permits, make sure services are available, and avoid natural hazard zones. In rural areas, towns limit incompatible development and mark critical rural places for extra protection. Plans may also name transitional and other place types. A town can skip naming a growth area only if it meets specific conditions and must revisit that choice at updates.

Stronger local plans with climate focus

Local comprehensive plans must include key parts, a needs assessment, and a clear path to act. Plans must inventory housing (including options for low‑ and moderate‑income households and seniors), transport, water, and other resources. If a town has a local climate plan, it must also include a climate vulnerability assessment. A map of existing conditions is required only if the state provides data and tools at minor cost. Local policies must line up with the State’s climate action plan. The state keeps a catalog of strategies tailored to different place types.

Towns can fund sidewalks and bike lanes

The law adds sidewalks, bike lanes, and similar projects to the list of eligible developments. Towns can plan and seek funds for walking and biking improvements along with other growth projects. This can improve safety and access to jobs and services.

More public input in planning rules

Proposed town plans must be public at least 30 days before a hearing. Before making new rules, the state agency must meet with a stakeholder group and invite the housing and economic development committee. The agency’s first rules are major substantive and must define “downtown.” The agency must publish guidance to reach all groups, collect input in many ways, and analyze comments. It must also offer a planning guide with a place‑type option, provide technical help, and partner with at least three communities using place‑type tools.

More support for housing and infrastructure

The law backs projects that help build homes and services. It adds mixed‑use housing as an eligible project and clarifies support for sewer, water, and other utility lines. More civic buildings can qualify for help. Competitive grant and loan programs can run outside some normal state procurement rules, which can speed funding. Towns with a local climate plan, and where applicable a climate vulnerability assessment, get priority for grants.

Stronger state and regional planning coordination

State agencies must carry out work consistent with growth goals. Listed agencies include economic development, environmental, agriculture and forestry, transportation, health and human services, and housing. The law encourages towns to work together on regional plans. It also sets a goal to plan, fund, and build public facilities, transportation, and services to handle expected growth.

Updated state goals for growth and housing

The law updates state goals to guide towns toward orderly growth and protection of rural character. It promotes housing choice and affordability, removes barriers to housing, and supports age‑friendly communities. It encourages homes near jobs and services. It protects marine industries and shore access. It requires planning for sea‑level rise, flooding, and extreme weather risks.

Clearer local and regional planning rules

The law clarifies what a growth management program is and who serves on the planning committee. It updates “rural area” and “cluster development” definitions to protect working lands and allow smaller lots with shared open space. Towns in cooperative planning keep full land‑use authority, and joint agreements must be in writing and filed with the state. When a new plan is adopted, any conflicting ordinance stays in effect for up to 24 months to allow a transition. Some older statutory subsections are repealed, so towns and owners should review local rules.

New timelines for state plan reviews

The department must say within 10 business days if a plan is complete; public comments then run 20 business days; findings are due within 35 business days after the completeness notice. Certifications and consistency findings now last 12 years, and certification does not lapse in years without review funding. Unchanged parts keep prior findings if still current, and adopted plans stay in effect until amended or repealed. If a plan is found inconsistent, a town has up to 24 months to fix it under the old review rules; after that, it must resubmit under current standards. For 24 months after final rules, the new Act applies only if the town asks and the state approves; a related program counts only plans found consistent by the Executive Department, the former State Planning Office, or the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; some earlier findings stay valid until December 31, 2028, or 12 years from their date, whichever is later.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Tiffany Roberts

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Allison Hepler

    Democratic • House

  • Amanda Collamore

    Republican • House

  • Anne-Marie Mastraccio

    Democratic • House

  • Holly Eaton

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole C. Grohoski

    Democratic • Senate

  • Richard A. Bennett

    Independent • Senate

  • Richard Bradstreet

    Republican • Senate

  • Suzanne Salisbury

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 63 • No: 85

House vote • 6/17/2025

ACC MAJ OUGHT NOT TO PASS REP

Yes: 63 • No: 85

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 393

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/18/2025Senate

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

    6/18/2025House

  4. Reports READ On motion by Senator CURRY of Waldo Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ACCEPTANCE OF EITHER REPORT Taken from the table by the President On motion by Senator CURRY of Waldo The Minority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-766) Report ACCEPTED READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-766) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-766) in concurrence

    6/18/2025Senate

  5. Reports READ.Motion of Representative GERE of Kennebunkport to ACCEPT the Majority Ought Not to Pass Report FAILED.ROLL CALL NO. 570(Yeas 63 - Nays 85 - Absent 1 - Excused 2)On motion of Representative GERE of Kennebunkport, the Minority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-766) 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-766).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/17/2025House

  6. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/23/2025Senate

  7. Committee on STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT suggested and ordered printed. On motion of Representative SALISBURY of Westbrook, the Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/22/2025House

Bill Text

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