An Act to Increase Funding for Construction Plan Reviews and Clarify Rule-making Authority for Municipal Reviews of Development
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
State Fire Marshal gains four inspectors
The law funds four Public Safety Inspector II positions and related costs to support plan reviews, including sprinkler plans. It provides $483,000 from Other Special Revenue Funds in each of fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. Fiscal year 2026-27 also includes a one-time $226,600 for four vehicles. Total funding for 2026-27 is $709,600.
Higher construction review fees for applicants
The state plan review fee rises from 0.15% to 0.2% of the construction or reconstruction cost under review. This covers plans for new construction, reconstruction, repairs, and renovations subject to State Fire Marshal review. The increase is 0.05 percentage points. For registered-municipality reviews of projects with occupied spaces, fees instead are $0.01 per square foot to the state and $0.04 to the municipality. Fees for projects not reviewed by registered municipalities fund department review costs, and unused balances carry into the next fiscal year.
Contractors gain local sprinkler permit options
Contractors can get sprinkler permits from the state or a registered municipality. A permit is required before building a system covered by National Fire Protection Association Standard 13, as amended. Additions with more than 20 new sprinkler heads also require a permit. The state or municipality reviews the plans and may charge a reasonable review and permit fee. Contractor plans submitted to the department must be reviewed, approved, and signed by the contractor’s certified responsible managing supervisor.
Municipalities gain permit powers with requirements
Qualified Maine municipalities can register to issue covered development permits, but must follow state registration rules. They need a building official, a plan reviewer certified by the National Fire Protection Association, and adequate enforcement resources. They must adopt state fire codes, actively enforce the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code, and complete a registration form. They also need public notice, hearing, and appeal procedures, including notices to the commissioner when applications arrive and permits are approved or denied. The commissioner can make implementation rules and agreements with municipalities; the Department of Public Safety must publish the registered municipality list.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 658
4/13/2026PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
4/6/2026SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/2/2026HouseReport READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-925) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-925), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.
4/2/2026SenateCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-925).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/31/2026HouseReport READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.On motion by Senator Beebe-Center of Knox REFERRED to Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, in concurrence.
2/24/2026SenateRepresentative HASENFUS for the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety pursuant to Resolve 2025, chapter 103, section 4 reports that the Bill be REFERRED to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY and printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218.Report was READ and ACCEPTED.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETYSent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
2/24/2026House
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (H-925), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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