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MaineLD 241132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Authorize the Public Utilities Commission to Approve Rate Adjustments for Low-income Water Utility Ratepayers

Sponsored By: Mark W. Lawrence (Democratic)

Became Law

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONPUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION - POWERS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Utilities can offer low-income water discounts

The law lets your water utility ask the Maine Public Utilities Commission to approve low-income bill discounts or credits. You must be a residential customer under your utility’s rules and meet the program’s low-income test. The commission approves only if the plan is a cost-effective way to keep water affordable. The commission cannot force any utility to offer a program, and the discount amount is not set in law. Whether help is available depends on your utility and the commission’s approval.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mark W. Lawrence

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 19 • No: 12

Senate vote • 5/21/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 19 • No: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 137

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    5/27/2025Senate

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

    5/27/2025House

  4. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-82) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-82). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/22/2025House

  5. Taken from the table by the President ACCEPTANCE The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-82) Report. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 208 Yeas 19 - Nays 12 - Excused 3 - Absent 1 Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (S-82) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-82) Sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    5/21/2025Senate

  6. On motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending Motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York to ACCEPT The Majority OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED Report Roll Call Ordered Unfinished Business

    5/20/2025Senate

  7. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025Senate

  8. Received by the Secretary of the Senate on January 16, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2

    1/16/2025Senate

Bill Text

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