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MaineLD 1964132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Establish Additional Requirements Related to the Sale or Lease of Net Energy Billing Interests and Solar Energy Equipment

Sponsored By: Russell J. Black (Republican)

Became Law

ELECTRIC UTILITIESELECTRIC UTILITIES - DELIVERY

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Standard disclosures for home solar deals

Beginning June 1, 2026, anyone selling or leasing solar on your side of the meter must give you a standard written disclosure before you sign. It lists total and itemized costs, financing, performance and warranty details, who is responsible for what, dispute steps, and what happens if you move or need roof work. It also includes context on typical interconnection costs by system size. You can get it electronically if you consent. Not giving the disclosure violates the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act. The Maine Department of Energy Resources provides model disclosure forms for sales and leases.

Utilities must report interconnection costs

Large investor-owned utilities must send the interconnection ombudsman their average interconnection costs by project size by March 1 each year, starting in 2026. By May 1 each year, the ombudsman posts the averages on the Public Utilities Commission website with notes on cost ranges and key factors. This makes interconnection pricing more transparent for customers and installers.

No fake utility or government claims

Effective March 19, 2026, anyone selling, leasing, installing, or financing an electricity product cannot falsely claim to be your utility or a government official or program. This is illegal under the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Solar and shared solar deals protected

Starting March 19, 2026, solar equipment and contracts for a shared interest in a project with net energy billing count as merchandise under Maine consumer-protection and collections laws. You get the same protections and remedies used for other goods and services. Shared net energy billing deals must also follow Maine’s consumer-protection chapters.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Russell J. Black

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Steven Foster

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 575

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.

    3/10/2026Senate

  3. This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/5/2026House

  4. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-511).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/3/2026House

  5. 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-511)Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    2/26/2026Senate

  6. Report READ and ACCEPTED.Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-511) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.

    2/24/2026Senate

  7. 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

  8. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/13/2025House

  9. Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    5/13/2025Senate

Bill Text

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