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)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Consumer rules for shared solar deals
Shared‑solar and similar contracts tied to net energy billing count as consumer merchandise, and solar energy equipment is covered too. That means Maine’s consumer‑protection rules and enforcement apply to those deals. Net energy billing arrangements must also follow applicable state consumer‑protection requirements.
No fake utility or government ties
The law bans false claims of being your electric utility or a government program when selling, leasing, installing, or financing an electricity product. This is illegal under the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act. It helps you spot and avoid deceptive sales.
Standard solar sales disclosures and cost info
Beginning June 1, 2026, sellers and lessors must give you a standard written disclosure before you buy or lease solar equipment on the customer side of the meter. It must include contact info, system design, total costs, average interconnection costs by project size, warranties, who is responsible for what, dispute steps, and key financial terms like termination and moving or roof work. You may receive it electronically if you consent. Not giving the disclosure violates the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act. Each year by March 1, large investor-owned utilities must send average interconnection costs by project size to the interconnection ombudsman, who posts them by May 1. By June 1, 2026, the Department of Energy Resources publishes model disclosure forms for sales and leases.
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
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 575
3/19/2026PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.
3/10/2026SenateThis 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.
3/5/2026HouseCONSENT 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.
3/3/2026HouseCOMMITTEE 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.
2/26/2026SenateReport READ and ACCEPTED.Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-511) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
2/24/2026SenateCARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
6/25/2025SenateThe Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
5/13/2025HouseCommittee 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
Amendment C-A (S-511), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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