PRIA Logo™
MaineLD 2143132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)Senate

An Act Facilitating the Reconstruction or Replacement of Storm-damaged Commercial Fisheries Facilities and Infrastructure

Sponsored By: Matthea E. L. Daughtry (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

INDUSTRIESINDUSTRIES - FISHERIES

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More flexible approvals for housing projects

Maine towns can adopt less restrictive approval rules for housing structures and accessory dwelling units, such as backyard apartments. This option applies only when the town has authority to grant a zoning exception under state law. That includes the new exception for damaged waterfront facilities. Towns do not have to adopt easier rules, so approval is not guaranteed.

Easier rebuilding permits for fishing facilities

Maine town appeals boards can grant zoning exceptions to help rebuild substantially damaged docks, piers, wharfs, and related structures. Exceptions cover bans on construction beyond the mean high-tide line and flood-height requirements for structures on docks, piers, or wharfs. Applicants must show substantial damage under local floodplain rules and a use that depends on waterfront access under federal rules. Rebuilt facilities must be protected from flood damage as far as practical, with only the smallest exception needed. Applicants do not need to prove that the property cannot earn a reasonable return without the exception. Other hardship safeguards remain: unique property conditions, no change to the area's essential character, and no owner-caused hardship. Towns can keep additional limits, and approval is not guaranteed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Matthea E. L. Daughtry

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Cheryl Golek

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 20 • No: 14

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

ACCEPT REPORT

Yes: 20 • No: 14

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 648

    4/6/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    4/2/2026Senate

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

    3/30/2026House

  4. On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland the Senate RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY House Amendment "A" (H-895) Ordered sent down forthwith.

    3/26/2026Senate

  5. On motion of Representative GERE of Kennebunkport, the House RECEDED.On motion of Representative GERE of Kennebunkport, House Amendment "A" (H-895) was READ and ADOPTED.Subsequently, the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-895).In NON-CONCURRENCE and sent for concurrence.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/25/2026House

  6. PASSAGE TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, FAILED in NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence

    3/24/2026Senate

  7. 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.

    3/19/2026House

  8. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/18/2026House

  9. COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED. READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED.Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    3/17/2026Senate

  10. Report READ and ACCEPTED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 761 Yeas 20 - Nays 14 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 READ ONCE ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.

    3/12/2026Senate

  11. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/7/2026House

  12. Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    1/7/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Amendment H-A (H-895), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation