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MaineLD 1904132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)Senate

An Act to Establish the Municipal Shoreline Protection Legal Fund

Sponsored By: Timothy E. Nangle (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

LAND USELAND USE - SHORELAND ZONING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Stable funding for shoreline legal fund

Each year, the commissioner deposits up to $100,000 of shoreland zoning penalties into the fund. The deposit equals $100,000 or the total penalties that year, whichever is less. The State Controller also moves $100,000 from the General Fund into the fund by September 1, 2026. For 2026–27, the law funds one Environmental Specialist III ($101,881) and allocates $100,000 to aid towns. These dollars support grants that help towns pursue shoreline cases.

Legal help for towns on shoreline cases

The law creates the Municipal Shoreline Protection Legal Fund at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. It helps towns pay legal costs to enforce shoreland zoning rules, including cases they expect to file. Money can come from public or private sources, and interest stays in the fund year to year. The department can use a portion for administration. Towns that get help may have to repay the fund after a settlement or final court decision. The department adopts rules that set who can get help and when repayment is required.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Timothy E. Nangle

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 715

    4/15/2026

  2. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table. Subsequently, PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.

    4/13/2026Senate

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

    3/17/2026Senate

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

    3/12/2026House

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative DOUDERA of Camden, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-523) 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" (S-523). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/10/2026House

  6. COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-523)Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    3/5/2026Senate

  7. Reports READ. Senator TEPLER of Sagadahoc moved to ACCEPT the Majority OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED Report. On motion by Same Senator Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ACCEPTANCE of the Majority OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-523) Report. Taken from the table by the President ProTem Subsequently, the Majority OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-523) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.

    3/3/2026Senate

  8. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.

    6/25/2025Senate

  9. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/6/2025House

  10. Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    5/6/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (S-523), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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