# Maine LD 210: An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2025, June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 Maine LD 210, An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2025, June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027, is a 132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026) House bill sponsored by Drew Gattine (Democratic); status signed, last action 2025-06-20 (Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 388); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-17). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD210-132 - As of: 2026-10-17 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Maine LD 210 - State: Maine - Session: 132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026) - Title: An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2025, June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2025-01-14 - Last action: 2025-06-20, Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 388 - Sponsor: Drew Gattine (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 0 - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 9 (333 yes, 314 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 203 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Major increase in MaineCare funding: benefit, high. For FY2026–27, MaineCare gets $96,840,359 more from the General Fund and $360,655,916 more in federal funds. This keeps services running for a larger caseload and higher costs. - Transfer tax break for first‑time buyers: benefit, high. Beginning November 1, 2025, if you buy a home with help from a Maine State Housing Authority first‑time homebuyer mortgage program, the deed is exempt from the real estate transfer tax. The exemption applies to both the buyer and the seller for qualifying sales. - Double tax credit for young kids: benefit, high. For tax years starting in 2025, the per‑child credit for each child under age 6 is doubled. This can lower your tax bill or increase your refund if you qualify. - No sales tax on home medical gear: benefit, high. Beginning January 1, 2026, you pay no sales tax on durable medical equipment for home use and on breast pumps for home use. Mobility‑enhancing equipment for home or vehicle use is also tax‑free. The law defines these items, including parts and milk‑storage supplies, so sellers can apply the exempti… - Lower cannabis grower excise; set transfers: benefit, high. Starting January 1, 2026, cultivators pay lower excise: flower $223/lb, trim $63/lb, immature plants $1, mature plants $23, seeds $0.20. Also beginning January 1, 2026, the state transfers 9% of monthly cannabis sales‑tax and 9% of excise‑tax receipts to the Adult Use Cannabis Public Health and Saf… - No sales tax on business telecom: benefit, high. Starting January 1, 2026, interstate and international telecom services sold to a business for direct business use are exempt from sales tax. The law also clarifies telecom terms and sourcing. It defines home service provider, interstate and international telecom, and mobile telecom. It sets place… - Tax breaks for fabrication and fuel: benefit, high. The law cuts sales tax on certain fabrication work. It exempts 95% of the sale price for fabrication services used to produce fuel for a manufacturing facility (effective upon enactment). Starting January 1, 2026, fabrication services are also tax‑exempt when the finished goods would be tax‑exempt… - 24/7 crisis centers and psych staffing: benefit, medium. The state funds two 24/7 behavioral health crisis receiving centers in Penobscot and Androscoggin counties. It provides $900,000 in 2025-26 and $2,700,000 in 2026-27 to run them. The law creates a Family Nurse Practitioner position at Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center to strengthen care. It also sets… - Benefit offices and disability claims staffed: benefit, medium. The law makes 45 customer service jobs and 3 supervisor jobs permanent in local family‑assistance offices. It also continues 5 Disability Claims Adjudicators, 1 supervisor, and 1 support position through June 12, 2027 with federal funds. These moves keep benefit access and disability claims process… - Higher MaineCare payments and crisis services: benefit, medium. The state raises many MaineCare provider payments. Cost‑of‑living increases take effect July 1, 2025 and January 1, 2026 ($6,083,505 in FY2025–26 and $7,459,250 in FY2026–27). It updates rates from final determinations ($1,560,422 in FY2025–26 and $2,506,621 in FY2026–27). It also annualizes new mo… - Higher MaineCare payments to nursing homes: benefit, medium. Beginning January 1, 2025, the state locks in higher funding for nursing home rates. It adds $3,252,000 in FY2025-26 and $3,271,000 in FY2026-27 to support rate reform. It also funds cost-of-living increases of $703,037 in FY2025-26 and $1,406,075 in FY2026-27. Increases are applied as a consistent… - Higher payments for disability and home care: benefit, medium. On July 1, 2025 and January 1, 2026, the state raises MaineCare payments for child mental health and developmental services by a consistent percentage. It adds $301,481 in each year to support children’s mental health services and uses federal matching funds where allowed. It also provides $300,000… - More funding for retiree health insurance: benefit, medium. The state deposits $17,235,498 in FY2025-26 and $17,235,498 in FY2026-27 into the Retiree Health Insurance Fund. This supports health coverage for eligible public-sector retirees. - More funds for foster and adoption: benefit, medium. The law adds money for IV‑E foster care and adoption assistance. It provides $8,389,123 (General Fund) and $13,389,493 (Federal) in FY2025–26, and $8,954,026 (General Fund) and $14,177,015 (Federal) in FY2026–27. This supports payments to families and related services. - More help and oversight for seniors and disabled: benefit, medium. The law adds quality‑assurance manager positions to improve oversight in aging and disability services, with state and federal funding splits. It gives a one‑time $3,000,000 grant in 2025-26 to area agencies on aging for in‑home care, meals, respite, and case management. It also adds $519,535 in fe… - More help for kids’ mental health: benefit, medium. The law funds a statewide hub that supports youth behavioral health providers: $1,154,355 in 2025-26 and $1,539,141 in 2026-27. It keeps level‑of‑care assessments for children funded, with state and federal MaineCare support. It adds a Management Analyst I job in children’s mental health to improve… - More MaineCare help for disabilities: benefit, medium. The state adds $17,618,034 in FY2026–27 for the Developmental Services Waiver. It funds cost‑of‑living raises to waiver rates on July 1, 2025 and January 1, 2026: $1,206,289 in FY2025–26 and $2,412,577 in FY2026–27. It adds $874,749 in FY2026–27 for the Supports component. It also funds Supports CO… - More staff to process benefits faster: benefit, medium. The law upgrades 375 Eligibility Specialist jobs to a higher pay range. One job’s hours rise from 57 to 80 every two weeks. It also converts 45 customer service jobs into Eligibility Specialist I jobs and shifts funding shares to 75% Other Special Revenue and 25% General Fund. These changes aim to… - More state help for local GA: benefit, medium. The state increases money to help towns pay general assistance. It provides $2,000,000 each year going forward. It also gives a one-time $4,000,000 payment in 2025-26. Another $4,000,000 is split among towns based on their 2023-24 GA costs. This supports low-income residents who get help with rent,… - More state money for SNAP benefits: benefit, medium. The state adds $2,500,000 in FY2025-26 and $2,500,000 in FY2026-27 to state-funded SNAP benefits. This supports grocery help for enrolled households. The law does not set a new per-household formula. - Ongoing funds for psychiatric residential care: benefit, medium. The state continues funding for psychiatric residential treatment facility services. It adds $33,769 in FY2025–26 and $1,790,712 in FY2026–27. This helps keep these services available under MaineCare. - State pays UMaine paid leave premiums: benefit, medium. The state pays paid family and medical leave premiums for eligible University of Maine System employees. It provides $418,207 in FY2025–26 and $2,509,242 in FY2026–27. This lowers out‑of‑pocket costs for those workers in those years. - Easier to build affordable apartments: benefit, medium. Affordable projects where multifamily is allowed can build at least 2.5 times the base density. Towns may not require more than 2 off-street parking spaces for every 3 units. The site must be in a designated growth area or have public water and sewer, and must meet any required minimum lot sizes. - Help to preserve mobile home parks: benefit, medium. The state transfers $3,000,000 to MaineHousing by June 30, 2026 to preserve manufactured and mobile home parks. Funds prioritize affordability, resident and nonprofit ownership, and preventing homelessness tied to park sales or use changes. Unused money returns to the state by June 30, 2027. - More funding for Housing First services: benefit, medium. Housing First receives $9,695,781 in FY2025-26 and $10,294,281 in FY2026-27. The funds support operations and services to help people exit homelessness. This is program funding, not direct per-household checks. - More homes allowed per lot: benefit, medium. Towns must allow up to 2 homes on a lot with no dwelling. In growth areas or where public water and sewer serve a town without a plan, up to 4 homes are allowed. Lots with one home may add up to 2 units (one attached/within and one detached, or one of each). Towns can allow even more. - More rental help for vulnerable renters: benefit, medium. The state adds $480,000 in 2025–26 and $480,000 in 2026–27 to the Bridging Rental Assistance Program. This helps low-income and vulnerable renters who qualify pay rent. - More help for preschool and homeless students: benefit, medium. The state adds $1,000,000 in FY2026-27 to keep preschool special education going. It also transfers $21,000,000 into the Preschool Special Education Fund by June 30, 2026. Federal McKinney‑Vento grants rise by $35,549 in FY2025-26 and $28,116 in FY2026-27 to support homeless students. Families with… - More IDEA Part B special ed funds: benefit, medium. The state adds $5,890,159 in 2025–26 and $5,732,497 in 2026–27 for IDEA Part B. This supports special education services for children with disabilities and their families. - New retirement plan for Dix staff: benefit, medium. Certain DHHS employees assigned to the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center can join the 1998 Special Plan starting October 1, 2025. The state funds the ongoing costs of participation. Eligible employees gain improved retirement coverage. - New service year and job training: benefit, medium. The Maine Service Fellows Program is launched for recent graduates. Stipends can reach up to 212% of the federal poverty level, with a completion bonus that can pay up to 20% of the stipend toward student loans, and up to a 2% health allowance, if funds are available. A new Targeted Workforce Inves… - More grants and support for farms: benefit, medium. The state creates a public‑private agriculture fund and adds ongoing support staff for planning and investment. It provides $100,000 in FY2025-26 and $100,000 in FY2026-27 for the Farmers Drought Relief Grant Program and hires a temporary manager through June 18, 2027. It transfers $500,000 by June… - No excise tax on grower transfers: benefit, medium. Starting January 1, 2026, sales or transfers of adult‑use cannabis to a licensed cultivation facility are exempt from the excise tax. Transfers between licensed growers are not subject to the excise tax. - Courts get funds for debt and research: benefit, medium. The law funds court operations. It adds $40,961 in 2025-26 and $40,961 in 2026-27 for legal research. It also pays higher Judicial Department debt service: $2,836,355 in 2025-26 and $7,841,837 in 2026-27. - Maine CDC budget matches federal: benefit, medium. The state aligns Maine CDC budgets with available federal funds. It provides $15,070,818 in All Other for FY2025–26 and $15,070,818 for FY2026–27 to keep programs running. - New office aids towns and coasts: benefit, medium. The law creates a new Office of Community Affairs to help towns plan growth, cut emissions, and build climate resilience. It runs a grant program for communities and service providers and can award grants for up to two years. It manages coastal zone work, leads federal consistency reviews, and coor… - New state office helps towns plan: benefit, medium. Beginning July 1, 2025, the State creates the Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA). It takes over the Community Resilience Partnership, the coastal zone management program, municipal planning and floodplain management, and the Development Ready Advisory Committee. Funding and staff move with th… - State replaces lost victim grants: benefit, medium. The law replaces cuts to federal victim assistance grants. It provides $3,000,000 from the General Fund each year on an ongoing basis in 2025-26 and 2026-27. It also adds another $3,000,000 each year as a one-time boost. This money keeps services for crime victims funded. - Investments in prisons and offender systems: benefit, medium. By June 30, 2026, the state transfers $3,661,559 from the General Fund surplus to pay one‑time costs for a new offender management system. The Maine Governmental Facilities Authority may issue up to $25,000,000 in securities for repairs, improvements, and construction at correctional facilities cho… - More money for repairs and cleanup: benefit, medium. The state can issue up to $28,000,000 in additional securities at one time for capital repairs, construction, and hazardous‑waste cleanup on state properties. The Maine Governmental Facilities Authority can also issue up to $28,000,000 for the same types of state facility projects. The state transf… - Cost-of-living raises for MaineCare rates: benefit, medium. DHHS must seek federal approval to add cost-of-living increases to some MaineCare payment rates. Some parts take effect July 1, 2025, and others January 1, 2026. The size of the increases depends on approved funding. This helps providers keep up with costs and can support patient access. - Extra payments for psych hospitals: benefit, medium. The state gives supplemental payments to private psychiatric hospitals while longer-term payment reforms are built. DHHS must use a consistent, federally approved method and stay within the law’s appropriation and federal limits. Funding is $1,664,409 in 2025-26 and $1,109,606 in 2026-27, with fede… - Hospital professional rates set at 160% Medicare: benefit, medium. Beginning July 1, 2027, MaineCare pays hospital‑based professional services at 160% of the Medicare rate. This raises payments to hospitals and may help keep care available for MaineCare patients. - MaineCare and DHHS system upgrades: benefit, medium. The state may move up to $24,000,000 from the 2025 year-end surplus into the MaineCare Stabilization Fund. DHHS can shift unspent MaineCare funds in 2025-26 and 2026-27 to modernize the Medicaid Enterprise System. It can also move certain funds to update IT for Aging and Disability Services, exclud… - More public health staff and PFAS work: benefit, medium. Maine CDC keeps many temporary staff through June 12, 2027 to support environmental health, local health officers, and public health education. It adds two toxicologists and one epidemiologist for PFAS testing and studies, funded by federal dollars. It also keeps planners and public health educator… - New crisis help statewide: benefit, medium. DHHS will plan and coordinate a statewide network of walk-in crisis receiving centers. These centers offer short-term help for mental health and substance use crises, for everyone, with or without insurance. The state also funds a one-time, required independent evaluator for a behavioral health and… - New Housing Production Fund at MSHA: benefit, medium. Beginning November 1, 2025, a nonlapsing Housing Production Fund at MaineHousing receives real estate transfer tax revenue. The fund supports low‑income housing tax credits, rural affordable rentals, and affordable homeownership programs. - UMaine gets funds for inflation: benefit, medium. The University of Maine System receives $9,580,849 in 2025–26 and $19,544,932 in 2026–27. This helps cover rising operating costs and keep services running for students and staff. - More state money to towns: benefit, medium. Beginning January 1, 2025, the state sends 5% of certain monthly tax receipts to the Local Government Fund by the 10th of the next month. Each month, 20% of that amount goes to the Disproportionate Tax Burden Fund. This gives towns a steadier flow of state money. - MOCA starts up with staff: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2025, MOCA adds two jobs: a Secretary Specialist and a Public Service Coordinator I. Salaries total $214,376 in FY2025–26 and $231,076 in FY2026–27, plus $17,826 each year for operations. On July 1, 2025, one position and its employee move from the Executive Department to MOCA, wi… - More funding for civil legal aid: benefit, low. The state gives a one‑time $3,000,000 grant in 2025-26 to the Civil Legal Services Fund Commission. The money helps legal‑aid groups serve people who cannot afford a lawyer in civil cases. - New manager at Inland Fisheries: benefit, low. The Inland Fisheries and Wildlife office adds one Public Service Manager II. The General Fund pays $144,655 in FY2025–26 and $156,912 in FY2026–27 for salary and benefits. - More support for unclaimed property program: benefit, low. Funding for unclaimed property operations increases by $22,421 in 2025–26 and $45,963 in 2026–27. This helps the state process claims and return money to owners. - New promotion path for bank examiners: benefit, low. The Bureau of Financial Institutions sets competency benchmarks for advancement. Bank Examiners who meet them can be promoted to Senior and then Principal Bank Examiner. This creates a clearer career path for bureau staff. - More assistive tech for people with disabilities: benefit, low. The state provides $200,000 in FY2025-26 and $200,000 in FY2026-27 for devices and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. It also requires a $250,000 yearly transfer to the Communications Equipment Fund, with up to $100,000 more if other funds are not available. These funds help pe… - More funding for residential room and board: benefit, low. The state adds $7,072,368 in FY2026–27 for MaineCare PNMI room and board. It also funds cost‑of‑living bumps to PNMI rates on July 1, 2025 and January 1, 2026 ($325,311 in FY2025–26 and $328,724 in FY2026–27). - More funding for seniors' low-cost drugs: benefit, low. The state adds $344,872 in FY2026-27 to the Low-cost Drugs to Maine’s Elderly program. This boosts support for prescriptions for eligible seniors on MaineCare. The law lists the total increase, not a per-person amount. - New staff for home-care waiver: benefit, low. The state creates seven jobs to launch a new home‑ and community‑based services lifespan waiver. These include three Developmental Disabilities Resources Coordinators and four Public Service Manager II positions. Funding is split 50% state and 50% federal MaineCare. - Protect 340B drug pricing and access: benefit, low. Drug makers and their agents cannot block 340B contract pharmacies from acquiring or delivering 340B-priced drugs. Insurers and pharmacy benefit managers cannot pay 340B providers less or add extra burdens because of 340B status. Federal or MaineCare-required identifiers or data remain allowed. The… - Stronger child health and welfare support: benefit, low. The state invests in the child welfare computer system tied to a psychotropic medication settlement: $250,000 (General Fund) and $255,800 (Federal) in 2025-26. It keeps one Maternal and Child Health planner job through June 12, 2027. It also makes two Maine CDC school oral health positions permanen… - Stronger oversight of home care providers: benefit, low. The state adds four survey specialists and one manager to inspect personal care agencies and waiver homes. Funding is 66% from special revenues and 34% from the General Fund. These staff handle required surveys and complaints. This improves safety and quality for people getting in-home or waiver se… - Higher pay range for eligibility staff: benefit, low. The state reclassifies 375 DHHS Eligibility Specialists from range 19 to 21. One position’s hours rise from 57 to 80 per two weeks. This supports higher pay and more hours for affected staff. - More hearings officers for claims: benefit, low. Starting January 1, 2026, the state adds four Hearings Officer jobs. Funding is $235,132 for FY2025–26 and $507,020 for FY2026–27, plus operating costs of $28,350 and $34,848. This adds capacity for worker and claimant hearings. - More UMaine scholarships; dues paid: benefit, low. Scholarship funds for UMaine rise by $89,191 in FY2025-26 and $180,607 in FY2026-27 from slot proceeds. The state also uses collected fees each year to pay New England Board of Higher Education dues. Students may see slightly more scholarship dollars available. - New Climate Corps service options: benefit, low. The law creates the Maine Climate Corps Program. Programs run local projects on energy, housing, transport, coastal, health, and land issues. They focus on communities hit hardest and many rural areas. Full-time members get a stipend plus health, liability, and accidental death insurance. The state… - Drought relief program can fund staff: benefit, low. The Farmers Drought Relief Grant Program can now use its fund to pay staff and hire experts. This helps the program run and deliver grants to farms. - Limits on workers' comp assessments: benefit, low. The workers' compensation board cannot set assessments to collect more than it needs. Extra collections over the budget by more than 10% must lower insured employers’ assessments. Smaller over-collections build a reserve up to one-quarter of the board’s budget. - Child and family services staffing: benefit, low. One Social Service Program Specialist II is continued through June 12, 2027. One Management Analyst II is moved and funded in the central office. Both roles are paid 72% from the General Fund and 28% from other special funds. - Clean energy upgrades for state agencies: benefit, low. The state creates a Lead by Example program to fund energy upgrades for state buildings and fleets. It can pay for efficiency projects, solar and other renewables, electric vehicles, and charging stations. The program runs as a competitive, revolving grant fund and can receive federal clean energy… - Corrections overtime and inmate welfare funds: benefit, low. The Department of Corrections can move money between budget lines to pay overtime in fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27 with required approvals. Up to $250,000 a year from certain federal prisoner housing contracts can go to inmate welfare accounts; any extra goes to the General Fund. For those two y… - Corrections positions moved and managed: benefit, low. All positions and costs at Bolduc Correctional Facility move to the State Prison program, adding 53 positions there. The Commissioner of Corrections must review staffing and funds and recommend transfers each year. The State Budget Officer carries out approved moves from July 1 to December 1. Any m… - Courts keep clerks and temp help: benefit, low. The courts keep one assistant clerk job funded by special revenue and two assistant clerk jobs funded by the General Fund through June 12, 2027. The law lists their pay amounts for each year. In fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27, the courts may shift up to $750,000 a year from salary balances to pay… - Easier review of hearing decisions: benefit, low. The commission may affirm, change, or set aside decisions from the Division of Administrative Hearings. It can take a case itself or transfer it to the Director or another hearing officer. Cases it takes must be heard under the statute’s hearing rules. - Election security analyst added through 2027: benefit, low. The state adds one limited‑period election security analyst through June 30, 2027. It funds pay of $128,621 in 2025–26 and $137,501 in 2026–27, plus operating costs of $10,058 and $2,958. This strengthens election security operations. - Environmental and safety staff updates: benefit, low. The state updates several positions in environmental and natural resource agencies. Examples: a Consumer Protection Inspector shifts to General Fund support; a Lab Technician III moves to 100% special revenue; a Metrologist gets a retroactive pay range increase; a State Dam Inspector moves up two r… - Forest protection staff and pay shift: benefit, low. Funding for several forest protection jobs moves from federal to the General Fund, making some roles fully state‑funded. One related coordinator’s funding split is adjusted across programs. A Public Service Manager III is reclassified from range 35 to 36 with funding for the higher grade. - Funding for state buildings, leases, and IT: benefit, low. The state adds money to keep facilities and core operations running. It funds leases ($7,000,000 each year), the state fleet ($3,605,179 each year), and IT operations ($2,000,000 each year). It also pays for hazard surveys in state buildings ($400,000 each year), roof and chiller work ($52,000 each… - Habitat work and dam repairs funded: benefit, low. The law invests in natural resources. It adds $5,000 each year for salmon habitat monitoring. It funds the Cost and Carbon Efficient Technology Fund at $499,500 each year. It provides $550,000 one time in 2025-26 to repair a wildlife hangar and garage in Greenville. It also provides $1,250,000 one… - Help covering unorganized territory costs: benefit, low. The law adds $500,000 in 2025-26 and $500,000 in 2026-27 to the Unorganized Territory Education and Services Fund. This helps cover county tax and service cost growth in unorganized territories. - IT support roles upgraded: benefit, low. One Tech Support Specialist is reclassified to Senior. One Senior Tech Support Specialist is reorganized to a Public Service Manager II. The law funds salary and related costs for these IT changes. - Lottery reclassifies two jobs: benefit, low. Lottery Operations upgrades two positions and moves funding from operating costs to salaries. The net effect on the Lottery Fund is $0. - Military director paid by federal funds: benefit, low. The Director of Building Control Operations in Military Training & Operations shifts from 73% federal and 27% state funding to 100% federal funding. This lowers state costs for that position. - More funding for wildfire gear and upkeep: benefit, low. The law funds forest fire protection needs. It provides $200,000 each year to maintain forest protection facilities. In 2026-27, it adds $130,500 for aviation maintenance and $300,000 for aviation capital work. It also gives $100,000 one time in 2025-26 to buy a wildfire engine and $12,000 each yea… - More funding to run state elections: benefit, low. The law funds election administration. It adds $500,000 in 2025-26 and $500,000 in 2026-27 for ballot printing, postage, and other costs. It funds a contract programmer at $212,160 each year to support software and modernization. It also funds post-election audits and training ($15,060 in 2025-26 a… - More funds and hours for corrections: benefit, low. The state shifts $50,000 each year to help the Maine State Prison close a deficit. It transfers $76,834 each year to Long Creek and related centers and adds $29,819 per year for Long Creek electricity. One Corrections Service Center accounting job increases from 60 to 80 hours biweekly, with $19,00… - More staff for environment and farms: benefit, low. The law makes one Environmental Licensing Supervisor and one Planning and Research Associate II permanent. It keeps a Planning and Research Associate I through June 19, 2027. It adds one Entomology Technician and a limited‑period manager for water resources and farm irrigation through June 18, 2027… - More staff for parks and planning: benefit, low. The state keeps and makes permanent several positions in conservation, geology, land-use planning, and parks. Some roles run through June 18–19, 2027, and others continue permanently. These jobs support historic sites, mapping and graphics, program planning, and Land for Maine’s Future work. - More staff for state IT and services: benefit, low. The law adds and continues many IT and support jobs to improve state services. It funds four new jobs in the Security and Employment Service Center, creates and makes permanent multiple IT roles, and adds a coordinator to handle public records (FOAA) work. Funding covers salaries and related operat… - More staff to run disaster grants: benefit, low. The law creates and continues several grant specialist jobs for recovery and hazard mitigation. One hazard mitigation grant administrator runs through June 19, 2027. Some jobs use state funds and others use federal funds. This speeds up grant support for communities after disasters. - More staff to speed environmental permits: benefit, low. The law adds two Environmental Specialist III and two Licensing Specialist I positions. It also makes one Environmental Specialist III role permanent. These jobs, funded by the Environmental Protection Fund, help the public and businesses navigate permitting and licensing. - More state aid to towns for renewables: benefit, low. The state reimburses municipalities for property tax exemptions on renewable energy facilities. Payments are $2,750,000 in 2025-26 and $4,250,000 in 2026-27. This helps towns cover lost property tax revenue tied to these exemptions. - New camera to spot gas leaks: benefit, low. The state buys an optical gas imaging camera for $117,000 in 2025–26 to support air quality work. It also funds $9,000 for staff certification training. This helps find leaks and protect public health. - Shifts leftover aquaculture funds: benefit, low. At the end of fiscal year 2024–25, the State Controller must move any unspent balances in two aquaculture accounts from one program area to another within the Department of Marine Resources. This keeps aquaculture research and management funds together for use under the receiving program. - Small raise for one coordinator: benefit, low. One Public Service Coordinator I job moves from pay range 25 to 28. The law adds $12,937 in 2025-26 and $13,805 in 2026-27 for personal services. This mainly helps the employee in that role. - State covers more emergency roles: benefit, low. The state shifts many emergency management staff and lease costs from federal funds to the General Fund. MEMA leased‑space costs move to the General Fund (+$259,000 per year; federal −$200,000 per year). Several contract, training, and manager positions move to 100% state funding or a higher state… - Support for prisons’ utilities and county jails: benefit, low. The law supports jail and prison operations. It gives a one-time $4,000,000 payment in 2025-26 to the County Jail Operations Fund. It pays utility bills at several facilities: $4,167 each year for Downeast Correctional Facility electricity, $813 each year for Juvenile Community Corrections electric… - Upgrade to State Emergency Operations Center: benefit, low. The law funds a one-time upgrade to the State Emergency Operations Center in 2026-27. It provides $230,000 total: $57,500 from the General Fund and $172,500 from federal funds. The money replaces outdated equipment and remodels the space. - Court access, safety, and IT upgrades: benefit, low. The law funds the Maine Judicial Information System with $250,000 in 2025–26 and $125,000 in 2026–27. It adds $490,000 each year for more guardian ad litem, interpreter, and mental health examiner services. It funds ADA courthouse upgrades with $50,000 each year. It replaces Google with Microsoft 3… - Court pay raises and staff extended: benefit, low. Judges get a 3% raise starting July 1, 2025 and another 3% starting July 1, 2026. The courts keep five limited‑period law clerks and two assistant clerks through June 12, 2027. They also continue one child protective and juvenile process specialist and two CASA legal advisor positions through June… - Emergency and disaster readiness funding: benefit, low. The law funds MEMA emergency trailers ($12,000 in 2025–26) and deployable generators ($100,000 in 2025–26). It replaces a vehicle used to move emergency gear ($92,000 in 2025–26). It adds five stream gages for flood warnings ($83,500 in 2026–27). It funds Bangor National Guard readiness center proj… - Higher state revenue sharing to towns: benefit, low. Municipal revenue sharing rises by $7,704,200 in 2025–26 and $14,052,406 in 2026–27 to match the Dec. 1, 2024 forecast. Cities and towns receive more state funds to support local services. - Money set aside for dam repairs: benefit, low. By June 30, 2026, the state transfers $1,250,000 from the General Fund surplus for state dam repairs and capital needs. This supports safety and maintenance of state‑owned dams. - More flexible funds for public defense: benefit, low. Leftover year‑end personal services funds for the Public Defense Commission carry forward in FY2025‑26 and FY2026‑27 and can be moved to pay contracted attorneys with required approvals. The commission can also transfer up to $2,500,000 per year from Personal Services to All Other for assigned coun… - New funding for state vehicles and gear: benefit, low. The state may lease‑purchase up to $13,500,000 in vehicles in each of FY2025‑26 and FY2026‑27 for the Central Fleet, with terms up to 6 years and interest not over 7%. It may also finance up to $3,655,000 each year for State Police vehicles, for up to 60 months at no more than 7% interest. The stat… - New staff for safer state buildings: benefit, low. The state creates a Space Management Specialist to inventory leased buildings for hazards like asbestos, lead, mold, and radon and to support leasing. It funds $97,255 in 2025‑26 and $104,780 in 2026‑27 for this job. It also creates a Building Control Specialist for security and coverage, funded at… - State lab adds safety officer and chemists: benefit, low. The Maine CDC adds a permanent laboratory safety officer funded with federal ARP money. It also keeps and adds chemists, plus funds instruments and supplies for the Health and Environmental Testing Lab. This boosts testing and safety capacity. - State manages green power credits: benefit, low. The Bureau of General Services can buy, retire, and sell renewable energy credits. Money from sales first pays for the State’s 100% renewable power requirement for state buildings. Any extra credits can be sold and the money goes to the Lead by Example Program fund. The bureau will set rules for bu… - Upgrades to state IT and radios: benefit, low. The state can finance up to $3,000,000 in each of FY2025‑26 and FY2026‑27 to improve the statewide radio network. Each agreement can last up to 7 years and the interest rate cannot exceed 7%. The state can also finance up to $8,000,000 in each year to modernize technology, data centers, databases,… - More accounting staff to manage finances: benefit, low. One limited Public Service Manager II is continued through June 18, 2027, funded at $166,185 in 2025‑26 and $173,044 in 2026‑27. Four ARP‑funded accounting jobs are made permanent and move to the Financial and Personnel Services Fund on January 1, 2027. One limited Public Service Manager I is conti… - Behavioral health and CSBG staff extended: benefit, low. The law keeps three limited‑period jobs through June 12, 2027 to support certified community behavioral health clinics, funded half state and half federal. It keeps one CSBG State Administrator job through June 12, 2027. It upgrades two Public Service Manager II jobs to III in mental health and beh… - Emergency food program coordinator funded: benefit, low. One Planning and Research Associate II job is made permanent to run federal emergency food assistance and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. This keeps program administration and support in place for families who rely on food assistance. - Faster fund moves for foster care: benefit, low. In 2025-26 and 2026-27, DHHS can move money between state-funded and IV‑E foster care/adoption assistance accounts without the usual 30‑day wait. Transfers need Budget Officer recommendation and the Governor’s approval. This helps manage cash flow to keep payments and services on track. - Funding to run the health marketplace: benefit, low. The marketplace trust fund gets $4,077,244 in 2025–26 and $4,026,623 in 2026–27. This keeps marketplace operations running to match expected revenues. The law does not change who can enroll or subsidy rules. - Health data office budget flexibility: benefit, low. The Maine Health Data Organization can move up to $300,000 each in FY2025‑26 and FY2026‑27 from its staff budget to other spending after paying all salaries and benefits. This helps manage health data operations without new appropriations. - Lead safety team made permanent: benefit, low. Eight Environmental Specialist III jobs in the Maine CDC are made permanent to run childhood lead screening, case management, and prevention outreach. Funding comes from the General Fund. This strengthens services that protect children from lead exposure. - More money for recovery centers: benefit, low. The state transfers $119,000 in FY2025–26 and $119,000 in FY2026–27 into the Recovery Community Centers Fund. This supports local recovery center operations. - More staff for child safety and access: benefit, low. The state creates two Child Protective Services case aide jobs funded 79% by the General Fund and 21% by other funds. It also creates three limited‑period Assistive Technology Specialist jobs to help blind or visually impaired people, ending June 19, 2027. Federal funds cover $317,913 in 2025‑26 an… - More staff for the health marketplace: benefit, low. The state adds a data and reporting manager and a senior planner to the Maine Health Insurance Marketplace Trust Fund program. These roles support operations, data, and oversight. Better staffing can improve how the marketplace runs and reports results. - More support for kids' behavioral health: benefit, low. The law keeps the children’s behavioral health level‑of‑care assessment going. It pays 75% with federal MaineCare funds and 25% with state mental health funds. It also funds the youth Behavioral Health Center of Excellence hub with $1,181,136 in 2025–26 and $1,574,849 in 2026–27. These steps help a… - New staff to manage child welfare funds: benefit, low. One Financial Resources Specialist is added to support the Title IV‑E prevention program. The job is paid 72% by the state and 28% by special funds. This helps the child welfare office manage prevention dollars and reporting. - One-time boost for family planning: benefit, low. The state gives a one-time $3,000,000 General Fund payment in 2025-26 for family planning services. The money goes to the Family Planning Association of Maine to deliver care that year. This helps keep clinics operating and services available. - Staffing and funding shifts in care programs: benefit, low. The state reallocates positions across aging and disability services and shifts some job funding to a 50% federal/50% state split. These internal changes align staff and funds with program duties. The law does not change who qualifies or what members receive. - Support for Family Independence programs: benefit, low. One Family Independence Program Manager job continues through June 12, 2027, funded half by the General Fund and half by special revenue. In 2025-26 and 2026-27, DHHS can move leftover staff-pay funds to cover other administrative needs in Family Independence programs. These steps keep program oper… - Temporary coordinator to support MaineCare: benefit, low. The Office of MaineCare Services gets one limited‑period coordinator through June 12, 2027. It is funded 50% by the state and 50% by federal funds. This role supports program operations and administration. - Clear timelines to review town plans: benefit, low. Towns that get planning grants must submit comprehensive plans for state review. Growth program reviews include a 45‑day comment period and written findings within 90 days. Comprehensive plan reviews allow 25 business days for comments, a completeness notice within 35 business days, and findings wi… - MOCA takes over housing and flood work: benefit, low. The floodplain management program and the Housing Opportunity Program move to the Office of Community Affairs. Funding and staff transfer with them, and current rules stay in place until updated. One section transfers $2,060,118 (2025–26) and $2,046,660 (2026–27); another transfers $2,060,174 (2025… - More state help for town planning: benefit, low. State agencies must support locally adopted comprehensive plans when they fund projects or award grants, within their own rules and budgets. A new advisory committee gives towns best practices on land use, housing, and infrastructure and meets at least twice a year. The Maine Office of Community Af… - New Division of Building Codes: benefit, low. The state creates a Division of Building Codes and Standards in the Office of Community Affairs. It supports the codes board, provides technical help, issues nonbinding code interpretations, does public outreach, and maintains a public website. - Routes real estate tax receipts: benefit, low. Starting in fiscal year 2026–27, certain real estate transfer tax monies listed in Title 36 are added to the list of money received under a Title 22 program. This changes how the State records and routes those receipts for that program. - State agencies favor towns with certified plans: benefit, low. Nine state agencies must coordinate with towns, share data, and align activities with the law’s goals. When awarding certain growth and conservation grants, agencies prefer towns with certified or consistent plans, in the order the law sets. This preference does not apply to sewage treatment, publi… - State grants and help for local housing: benefit, low. The Office of Community Affairs runs the Housing Opportunity Program to help towns add homes, including affordable and workforce units. It offers technical help and model ordinances and creates a Housing Opportunity Fund with competitive grants up to 3 years and yearly progress reports. The office… - Education and workforce staff changes: benefit, low. The Office of Innovation gains a Public Service Executive II position and funding. Workforce Development keeps one manager and one analyst through June 30, 2027. One Office Associate II is reclassified to Office Specialist II with funding. One Instruction Specialist moves from School Facilities (sp… - Labor hearings and staffing shifts: benefit, low. The State moves 11 Hearings Examiners and two manager positions to a different Labor program and fund source. One manager job is upgraded from Manager I to Manager II with small added funding. Three Rehabilitation Counselor II jobs are now paid 100% from federal funds instead of a 67/33 split. Thes… - More help for school safety and buildings: benefit, low. One coordinator job in the School Safety Center becomes permanent. Another coordinator is added for school facilities, funded by special revenue. These roles support safer schools and better-run building projects. - More outreach to hire state workers: benefit, low. The state funds $12,000 in FY2025-26 and $12,000 in FY2026-27 for job recruitment marketing. Job seekers may see more notices and outreach about state openings. - More support for Workers’ Comp Board: benefit, low. The law supports the Workers’ Compensation Board. It increases the board’s operating allocation by $68,131 in 2025-26 and $77,133 in 2026-27. It also raises board member per-diem funding by $2,400 for personal services plus $16 for other costs in each year. - New code officer training at MOCA: benefit, low. The Office of Community Affairs now runs training, yearly exams, and 6‑year certifications for building officials and code inspectors. Recertification needs at least 12 hours of approved training in each job area over six years. The Technical Building Codes and Standards Board moves to the Office,… - Outreach and youth conservation funded: benefit, low. Youth conservation education gets $73,700 in FY2025-26 and $73,700 in FY2026-27 for operations. One Public Relations Specialist is funded at $89,978 in FY2025-26 and $96,353 in FY2026-27, plus small operating costs. One limited‑period Staff Accountant continues with $122,424 in FY2025-26 and $128,4… - Service Fellows and Climate Corps support: benefit, low. On July 1, 2025, the Maine Service Fellows Program moves to the new Office of Community Affairs. The transfer includes $500 in federal funds and $500 in special revenue each year and one limited-period coordinator job ($98,505 in 2025-26; $106,448 in 2026-27). The law also continues one Senior Plan… - State launches community service commission: benefit, low. The law creates the Maine Commission for Community Service to coordinate volunteer programs, apply for federal grants, and run service efforts like the Maine Service Fellows. The Governor appoints 15 to 25 diverse voting members for staggered three‑year terms, and members get expense reimbursement.… - Funding for cannabis licensing systems: benefit, low. The law funds software and compliance contracts for cannabis licensing. Adult‑use adds $160,293 in 2025-26 and $188,744 in 2026-27. Medical adds $102,755 in 2025-26 and $34,515 in 2026-27, including $8,857 each year for license system maintenance. This helps regulators and license holders keep syst… - More money to Disproportionate Tax Fund: benefit, low. The Disproportionate Tax Burden Fund rises by $3,364,282 in 2025–26 and $4,593,420 in 2026–27. This updates the fund based on revenue forecasts and can support related tax‑burden relief. - Tax office programming for credit and transfer tax: benefit, low. The tax agency funds one‑time computer work to carry out new tax changes. It provides $31,800 in 2025-26 to program an increased dependent exemption credit and modified phase‑out. It also provides $79,500 in 2025-26 to program a higher real estate transfer tax and new distribution rules. Two tax st… - Lower state debt service spending: benefit, low. The state cuts debt service for career and technical education bonds by $1,307,572 in 2025–26 and $1,311,185 in 2026–27. It also reduces General Fund debt service by $15,000,000 in 2026–27, one time. These savings free up budget space, with no direct tax change stated. - State carries some funds forward: benefit, low. If certain Department of Administrative and Financial Services accounts have money left at year end, those balances now carry forward to the next year. This includes Salary Plan, General Fund capital and repairs for administration, Debt Service – Government Facilities Authority (General Fund), and… - ARP interest to General Fund, debt carryforward: benefit, low. The State Controller moves $7,178,388 in ARP interest earnings to the General Fund by June 30, 2026. During the 2026–27 budget period, any year‑end balances in the Debt Service program carry into the next fiscal year. This helps the state manage cash flow for debt payments. - Part‑time auditor job eliminated: cost, high. The state eliminates one part‑time Auditor I job in Corporations, Elections and Commissions. Pay is cut by $72,034 in FY2025–26 and $78,001 in FY2026–27. This removes that job from the budget. - MaineCare and provider payments cut: cost, high. The state reduces MaineCare funding by $4,571,186 a year from federal block grants and by $1,505,268 a year in ARRA dollars, for 2025–26 and 2026–27. It also cuts $77,500 a year in Other Special Revenue. In 2026–27, it makes a one‑time $24,000,000 cut to provider payments. These cuts can reduce res… - Higher transfer tax on $1M+ homes: cost, high. Beginning November 1, 2025, property sales over $1,000,000 face an extra transfer tax. You pay $3.80 for each $500 (or part of $500) above $1,000,000, on top of the base tax. This raises closing costs on high‑value sales. - Cuts to crisis mental health services: cost, medium. The state removes $1,500,000 per year for medication‑management incentive pay. It also cuts $450,000 per year for a planned crisis center in Aroostook County and $1,600,000 per year for a Kennebec County crisis receiving center. Fewer local crisis services may be available. - Long‑term care funding reduced: cost, medium. The state cuts $4,000,000 from long‑term care in 2025–26 and $4,000,000 again in 2026–27. This lowers money available for services for seniors and people with disabilities. - Stricter residential rules for HCBS members: cost, medium. The law returns residential assignment rules for MaineCare home‑ and community‑based services for people with intellectual disabilities or autism to pre‑COVID practices. This can change where some members live or get care. It also rolls back COVID‑era funding tied to placements to use residential f… - Higher cigarette and smokeless taxes: cost, medium. Starting January 5, 2026, the cigarette tax is $0.175 per cigarette ($3.50 per pack of 20). Smokeless tobacco is taxed at $3.54 per ounce; smaller packages are $3.54 per pack. Buyers will see higher shelf prices. - More services and digital products taxed: cost, medium. Beginning January 1, 2026, Maine taxes more services, including some digital audio and video, telecom, electricity delivery, and extended auto service contracts. The law also moves mobile telecom to a separate sourcing rule. Many households will see taxes added to more service bills. - Extra tax on cigarette inventory Jan 2026: cost, medium. On January 5, 2026, retailers and distributors owe extra tax on cigarettes in stock that were stamped at 100 mills. You must pay the additional 75 mills ($0.075) per cigarette. Vending machines are treated as full on January 5, 2026, with limited credits. Payment is due to the assessor by April 1,… - Higher taxes on other tobacco: cost, medium. From January 5, 2026, other tobacco products are taxed at 75% of cost price. Multiply 75% by your cost and by the number of units to find total tax due. - Cuts to mental health crisis liaisons: cost, medium. The law cuts $953,300 in FY2025-26 and $953,300 in FY2026-27 from funding planned for 24 mental health law‑enforcement liaison positions. Local crisis response capacity may drop. - Mental health and long-term funds lapsed: cost, medium. By June 30, 2026, unspent balances must move back to the General Fund: $1,400,000, $1,500,000, $900,000, and $953,300 from community mental health; $550,000 and $4,500,000 from the Office of Behavioral Health; and $5,000,000 from Long‑Term Care. About $14.8 million is removed from these programs’ a… - Hospitals pay 3.25% provider tax: cost, medium. Beginning January 1, 2025, most acute, private psychiatric, and rehab hospitals owe a 3.25% tax on audited net operating revenue from their 2022 fiscal year. Critical access hospitals are exempt. The private psychiatric hospital rate applies retroactively to January 1, 2025. - Linked tobacco hikes; smaller stamp discount: cost, medium. If the cigarette tax rises after January 5, 2026, the state must raise smokeless and other tobacco taxes by the same percentage at the same time. Starting January 5, 2026, the distributor discount on 175‑mill cigarette stamps drops to 0.66%. This increases tobacco market costs and slightly raises d… - Higher concealed carry permit fees: cost, low. Residents pay $50 for a new concealed carry permit and $35 to renew. Nonresidents pay $80 for new or renewal permits. For most local issuers, $40 of the new fee and $30 of the renewal go to the State Treasurer. If the Chief of the State Police issues the permit in specific cases, the full fee goes… - Higher hunting and fishing license fees: cost, low. Many license fees increase. Examples: resident combo hunting/fishing rises from $43 to $48; nonresident combo from $150 to $169; resident fishing from $25 to $30; one-day fishing from $11 to $18. New prices apply when you buy the listed license. - Possible surcharges on commission online payments: cost, low. A new dedicated account supports a state commission. It may receive surcharges when people pay commission fees online. This can add a small extra cost to digital payments. - New building plan review surcharge: cost, low. Plan reviews now include a $0.04 per occupied square foot surcharge for construction, repairs, renovations, or new use. Public school renovation plan reviews are capped at $450. Revenue goes to the Uniform Building Codes and Standards Fund. - Cuts to student homelessness aid and scholarships: cost, low. The law ends funding for a student homelessness prevention pilot. It removes $1,500,000 in 2025–26 and $1,500,000 in 2026–27. It also reduces the University of Maine Scholarship Fund by $208,120 in 2025–26 and $185,677 in 2026–27. Students and families may see less help from these programs. - Dependent exemption phases out with income: cost, low. Starting in 2025, the dependent exemption is reduced as your income rises, using amounts set in law. The annual inflation update uses the chained CPI and compares to the 12 months ending June 30, 2024. At higher incomes, your exemption goes down. - Higher sales tax on cannabis: cost, low. Beginning January 1, 2026, the sales tax on adult‑use cannabis is 14%. Stores collect the tax at checkout. This replaces the prior 10% rate. - Higher and standardized licensing fees for businesses: cost, low. The law sets license fees within ranges: application $100–$280 and biennial renewal $70–$170. Other processing fees run $35–$140, with replacements up to $10 and online renewal transactions $25–$50. It also raises a separate annual license fee cap to $180, up from $75. - Clean Election fund gets $3M early: cost, low. The State must transfer $3,000,000 from the General Fund to the Maine Clean Election Fund by July 1, 2026. This moves the payment up from January 1, 2027 and reduces the General Fund balance in fiscal year 2026–27 by that amount. - Cuts to service and violence grants: cost, low. The law cuts a small federal allocation to the Maine Commission for Community Service by $2,864 in 2025–26 and $2,864 in 2026–27. It also cuts one‑time state grants for community violence prevention by $1,000,000 in 2025–26 and $1,000,000 in 2026–27. - State payroll savings and lapsed balances: cost, low. The state raises attrition to 6%. It cuts the Department of Administrative and Financial Services’ staffing budget by $5,686,312 in 2025–26 and $5,889,423 in 2026–27. It cuts the Judicial Department’s staffing budget by $617,683 and $629,678. It also moves $1,128,587 (by June 30, 2026) and $1,152,2… - Less funding for victim assistance grants: cost, low. Transfers for the federal victim assistance formula grant drop by $344,800 in 2025–26 and $344,800 in 2026–27. Courts receive less from this grant in those years. - Health center statute language repealed: cost, low. The law repeals health‑related language tied to federally qualified health centers from a 2023 law. It does not provide replacement funding. This may reduce supports that depended on the repealed text. - Less federal money for licensing checks: cost, low. The Division of Licensing and Certification loses $884,177 in federal funds in 2025–26 and $884,177 again in 2026–27. This reduces money for inspections and related work. - Psych hospital tax timing and retro: cost, low. Psychiatric hospitals must file the required return and pay the hospital tax within 30 days after this part takes effect. Any payments made between January 1, 2025 and that date are subtracted from what is owed. The amended tax rules apply back to January 1, 2025. - Child care staffing kept, big cuts: mixed, high. The state keeps several child care positions through June 12, 2027. But it cuts Federal Block Grant‑ARP funding by $40,919,784 in 2025–26 and $40,919,784 again in 2026–27. It also cuts $2,500,000 from the child care employment award program in 2026–27. Families and providers may see less support. - Bigger family credit but new cap: mixed, high. Starting with tax year 2024, the dependent exemption credit is refundable. For 2024, the credit is reduced by $7.50 for each $1,000 of Maine income over earlier thresholds. For tax years starting on or after January 1, 2025, the phase‑out gets steeper: $20 for each $500 above these caps—single $100… - Alcohol fund budget corrected, big reduction: mixed, high. The law corrects the State Alcoholic Beverage Fund budget by removing $180,049,407 from the cost‑of‑goods line in both 2025–26 and 2026–27. This is an accounting fix. Any effect on prices or services depends on later fund decisions. - MaineCare hospice down, lab payments updated: mixed, medium. MaineCare hospice payments drop from 123% of Medicare to 100% of Medicare. MaineCare lab payments change from 70% of 2009 Medicare rates to 72.4% of current Medicare rates. These changes affect provider payments and could affect access. - Special retirement plan for DHHS workers: mixed, medium. Starting October 1, 2025, DHHS Mental Health Worker I–IV roles join the 1998 Special Plan. You can buy credit for past service. You contribute 8.65% of pay until 25 years of service, then 7.65% after. Your benefit is based on all creditable service, with normal age rules. - New tax rules for phone and streaming: mixed, medium. Beginning January 1, 2026, Maine updates what counts as taxable phone, cable, and digital services. Your mobile service is taxed based on your primary-use street address; providers must keep that on file and can rely on what you give in good faith. Charges bundled with taxable mobile service are ta… - Retirement deduction phases out by income: mixed, medium. For tax years starting in 2025, your retirement‑income deduction shrinks as your federal AGI rises. Thresholds: $125,000 (single), $187,500 (head of household), $250,000 (married filing jointly), $125,000 (married filing separately). The cut is spread over $100,000 of income for most filers (or $50… - More lead safety; higher paint fee: mixed, medium. The law boosts funding to prevent childhood lead poisoning. It pays for testing, cleanup help, and short moves for affected families. The paint fee stays $0.25 per gallon through June 30, 2026 and rises to $0.75 per gallon on July 1, 2026, with first payment due by October 1, 2026. A program nurse… - Higher paint fee for lead safety: mixed, medium. On July 1, 2026, the paint fee rises from $0.25 to $0.75 per gallon sold the prior year. Small sellers can get waivers. The fee supports lead hazard reduction, testing, relocation help, and prevention. Fees at the new rate are due by October 1, 2026. - More transfer tax to housing funds: mixed, medium. For fiscal year 2025–26, the Treasurer splits real estate transfer tax money each month. After covering MSHA bond needs, part goes to the General Fund and Housing First, and part goes to MSHA’s Housing Opportunities fund. Starting July 1, 2025, MSHA uses 25% of that second share to create new low‑i… - Changes to medical examiner pay and fees: mixed, low. Nonsalaried medical examiners can receive up to $150 per inspection, plus $50 for non-hospital scene visits, with mileage paid. The Chief Medical Examiner may not include standard blood, urine, or vitreous specimen collection costs inside any special fee. This raises pay for examiners and blocks so… - State covers school meal gap: mixed, low. The state pays the difference between federal reimbursements and the full price of free school breakfasts and lunches. It provides $1,800,387 in 2025-26 and $4,101,781 in 2026-27. To get this money, schools must join the National School Lunch Program and use options that maximize federal meal dolla… - How Maine indexes exemptions: mixed, low. The law defines the cost‑of‑living formula for the personal exemption phase‑out. It uses the chained CPI for the year ending June 30 compared to June 30, 2017. This sets how phase‑out thresholds adjust each year. - New rules for mobile resellers: mixed, low. Starting January 1, 2026, the law defines who counts as a mobile telecom reseller. A reseller buys service and then resells or uses it in mobile plans. Serving carriers used outside a provider’s licensed area are not resellers. This sets who must collect tax and follow these rules. - DHHS staff and funding realigned: mixed, low. The law reclassifies two manager positions and moves 21 state jobs across aging, long‑term care and developmental services to match duties with the right funding. It shifts some positions from 100% state funding to a 50% state and 50% federal split. It changes a planner’s funding to 75% federal and… - Higher staff attrition assumed in 2026–27: mixed, low. For the 2026–27 budget, the state uses a 6% attrition rate for executive and judicial departments. After that, the assumed attrition rate is 1.6%. This changes how much payroll savings from turnover are built into budgets. - New rules for state office sites: mixed, low. The state must prefer downtowns and growth areas when choosing office space. On‑site parking is limited to critical needs or to make sure clients and people with disabilities can access services. Employee parking can be off‑site within a reasonable walk. Leases under 500 square feet or under one ye… - Old laws repealed for consolidation: mixed, low. The law repeals several older statutes across Titles 5, 12, 30‑A and 36, and removes 36 MRSA §4365‑F on January 5, 2026. Any programs or duties based only on those sections end unless reauthorized elsewhere. These cleanups support the State’s reorganization and do not change household taxes or bene… - Supervisor cut; manager position kept: mixed, low. The state removes one vacant Accounting Analyst Supervisor job. It funds and makes permanent one Public Service Manager II for the Natural Resource Service Center. The manager’s personal services total $19,980 in FY2025–26 and $21,835 in FY2026–27. - Moves reserves into General Fund surplus: mixed, low. By June 30, 2026, $4,000,000 from Maine CDC’s unspent General Fund balance and $5,000,000 from the Reserve for General Fund Operating Capital move into the General Fund’s unappropriated surplus. This shifts money into the main surplus while reducing those dedicated balances. - Stronger subpoena powers and new hearings office: mixed, low. The state creates a Division of Administrative Hearings led by a lawyer to hear appeals. It can administer oaths, take depositions, and issue subpoenas. Not obeying a subpoena without just cause is a Class E crime, and courts can enforce compliance. If you are compelled to testify after claiming th… - 340B drug data and protections: mixed, low. Starting July 1, 2026, hospitals in the 340B drug program must file a yearly report to the Maine Health Data Organization. MHDO posts a statewide summary for the public and sends it to key health agencies. 340B entities should use in‑state contract pharmacies when possible. The state can enforce ba… - 340B rules align with federal law: mixed, low. The law requires the 340B chapter to be at least as strict as federal law and not conflict with it. State rules under this chapter must be compatible with federal requirements. This keeps providers and payors operating under clear, consistent 340B standards. - Building code enforcement moves to new office: mixed, low. Starting July 1, 2025, the state moves the code enforcement program to the new Maine Office of Community Affairs. One Public Safety Inspector III and one Office Associate II move too. About $60,109 in All Other each year and personal services of $179,050 in 2025–26 and $192,497 in 2026–27 transfer,… - Limits on state growth projects: mixed, low. The State funds most growth projects only in local growth areas or places with sewer service, census places, or urban compact areas. There are narrow exceptions for some industrial, transport, pollution control, tourism, and small affordable‑housing projects. The rule applies to projects begun afte… - Municipal planning moves to new office: mixed, low. On July 1, 2025, the Municipal Planning Assistance program moves to the new Maine Office of Community Affairs. The law shifts $179,789 in General Fund and $577,978 in federal All Other each year, plus $14,888 for added planner support. Employees who transfer keep their vacation and sick leave balan… - MOCA runs service and climate programs: mixed, low. The Commission for Community Service, Service Fellows, and the Climate Corps move from Education to the Office of Community Affairs. The Office gets $53,276 General Fund, $2,269,136 federal, and $194,282 other funds for service programs, and $9,328 each year for the Climate Corps. Five jobs and one… - School safety staffing changes: mixed, low. The School Safety Center moves one coordinator job from federal funds to the General Fund. It makes one coordinator job permanent and removes one State Education Representative job. These changes rebalance the team and funding. ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Drew Gattine (Democratic), House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-06-18 | Senate | INDEFINITELY POSTPONE | pass | 18 | 16 | | | 2025-06-18 | Senate | INDEFINITELY POSTPONE SENATE AMENDMENT (SCS-436) | pass | 18 | 16 | | | 2025-06-18 | House | Enactment | pass | 74 | 73 | | | 2025-06-18 | Senate | INDEFINITELY POSTPONE SENATE AMENDMENT (SAS-433) | pass | 21 | 13 | | | 2025-06-18 | Senate | INDEFINITELY POSTPONE SENATE AMENDMENT (SBS-434) | pass | 18 | 16 | | | 2025-06-18 | Senate | ENACTMENT | pass | 19 | 15 | | | 2025-06-18 | House | ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP | fail | 71 | 77 | | | 2025-06-18 | Senate | ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT | pass | 19 | 15 | | | 2025-06-18 | House | RECEDE AND CONCUR | pass | 75 | 73 | | ## Actions (8) - 2025-06-20: Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 388 - 2025-06-18: PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 635 Yeas 19 - Nays 15 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 (Senate) - 2025-06-18: PASSED TO BE ENACTED. ROLL CALL NO. 583(Yeas 74 - Nays 73 - Absent 2 - Excused 2)Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. (House) - 2025-06-18: The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to ACCEPTANCE of the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report and PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-759) as Amended by Senate Amendment "E" (S-438) thereto.ROLL CALL NO. 579(Yeas 75 - Nays 73 - Absent 1 - Excused 2)ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. (House) - 2025-06-18: Reports ReadOn motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 627 Yeas 19 - Nays 15 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-759) READ On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin Senate Amendment "E" (S-438) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-759) READ and ADOPTED. Senator BENNETT of Oxford moved to ADOPT Senate Amendment "D" (S-437) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-759) Senate Amendment "D" (S-437) READ On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin the Senate INDEFINITELY POSTPONED Senate Amendment "D" (S-437) PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 628 Yeas 18 - Nays 16 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Senator MOORE of Washington moved to ADOPT Senate Amendment "A" (S-433) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-759) Senate Amendment "A" (S-433) READ On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin the Senate INDEFINITELY POSTPONED Senate Amendment "A" (S-433) PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 629 Yeas 21 - Nays 13 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Senator MOORE of Washington moved to ADOPT Senate Amendment "B" (S-434) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-759) Senate Amendment "B" (S-434) READ On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin INDEFINITELY POSTPONED Senate Amendment "B" (S-434) PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 630 Yeas 18 - Nays 16 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Senator BICKFORD of Androscoggin moved to ADOPT Senate Amendment "C" (S-436) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-759) Senate Amendment "C" (S-436) READ On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin the Senate INDEFINITELY POSTPONED Senate Amendment "C" (S-436) PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 631 Yeas 18 - Nays 16 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Subsequently Committee Amendment "A" (H-759) as Amended by Senate Amendment "E" (S-438) thereto ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-759) as Amended by Senate Amendment "E" (S-438) thereto In NON-CONCURRENCE Sent down for concurrence (Senate) - 2025-06-18: Reports READ.Motion of Representative GATTINE of Westbrook to ACCEPT the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report FAILED.ROLL CALL NO. 571(Yeas 71 - Nays 77 - Absent 1 - Excused 2)On motion of Representative GATTINE of Westbrook, the Minority Ought Not to Pass Report was ACCEPTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. (House) - 2025-03-21: Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519. (House) - 2025-01-14: Received by the Clerk of the House on January 14, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on APPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401. (House) ## Bill text - Amendment C-A (H-759), adopted by House & Senate: [PDF](https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0132&item=2&snum=132) - Amendment S-E to C-A (S-438), adopted by House & Senate: [PDF](https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0132&item=6&snum=132) - Enacted: [PDF](https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0132&item=17&snum=132) - Introduced: [PDF](https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0132&item=1&snum=132) ## Related bills - LD 1522: An Act to Establish the Maine Eviction Prevention Program (failed) - LD 1665: An Act to Provide Property Tax Relief to Maine Families (failed) - LD 1872: An Act to Reinvest in the Pension Funds of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (failed) - LD 2067: An Act to Include Community Mental Health Workers Under the 1998 Special Plan for Retirement (failed) - LD 1611: An Act to Decrease the Retirement Contributions Required for Teachers and State Employees (failed) - LD 1294: An Act to Expand the Dependent Exemption Tax Credit (failed) ## Sources - [Amendment C-A (H-759), adopted by House & Senate (PDF)](https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0132&item=2&snum=132) - [Amendment S-E to C-A (S-438), adopted by House & Senate (PDF)](https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0132&item=6&snum=132) - [Enacted (PDF)](https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0132&item=17&snum=132) - [Introduced (PDF)](https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0132&item=1&snum=132) ## Related - [LD 1522: An Act to Establish the Maine Eviction Prevention Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD1522-132) - [LD 1665: An Act to Provide Property Tax Relief to Maine Families](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD1665-132) - [LD 1872: An Act to Reinvest in the Pension Funds of the Maine Public Employees Retiremen…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD1872-132) - [LD 2067: An Act to Include Community Mental Health Workers Under the 1998 Special Plan f…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD2067-132) - [LD 1611: An Act to Decrease the Retirement Contributions Required for Teachers and State…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD1611-132) - [LD 1294: An Act to Expand the Dependent Exemption Tax Credit](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD1294-132) - [Maine bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/maine/bills) - [Maine state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/maine) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ME-LD210-132 (as of 2026-10-17).