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MaineLD 186132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Clarify the Public Utilities Commission's Authority to Establish Time-of-use Pricing for Standard-offer Service

Sponsored By: Walter Runte (Democratic)

Became Law

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONPUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION - POWERS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Protecting vulnerable customers from time-of-use rates

When the Commission sets time-of-use rates for standard-offer power, it must protect vulnerable customers. It must consider and seek to avoid harm to people who rely on life-support equipment. It must also protect customers who get state medical help and are in CMP’s Electricity Lifeline or Versant’s LifeLight programs, seniors, and low-income households.

Time-of-use and flexible contracts for standard-offer

The law lets the Public Utilities Commission add time-of-use prices and other demand-response or efficiency tools to standard-offer power for homes and small businesses. Prices can vary by time of day, and any tools must be cost-effective. The Commission can choose different contract lengths and terms to get the lowest average price over time. It can include the energy part of other authorized contracts. The Commission encourages Maine-based companies, not tied to standard-offer suppliers, to take part.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Walter Runte

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Mark W. Lawrence

    Democratic • Senate

  • Melanie Sachs

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 171 • No: 149

Senate vote • 6/2/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 20 • No: 14

House vote • 6/2/2025

Enactment

Yes: 74 • No: 66

House vote • 5/29/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 77 • No: 69

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 196

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/2/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. ROLL CALL NO. 253(Yeas 74 - Nays 66 - Absent 11 - Excused 0)Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/2/2025House

  4. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 281 Yeas 20 - Nays 14 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-318) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-318) in concurrence.

    6/2/2025Senate

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 240(Yeas 77 - Nays 69 - Absent 5 - Excused 0)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-318) 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-318). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/29/2025House

  6. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

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

    1/14/2025Senate

  8. 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.

    1/14/2025House

Bill Text

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