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MaineLD 261132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act Regarding the Authority of Municipalities to Regulate Timber Harvesting

Sponsored By: Stephan Bunker (Democratic)

Became Law

FORESTRYFORESTRY - TIMBER HARVESTING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Landowner notice and 90-day challenge limit

Towns do not need to mail notices when a change only brings local rules in line with state minimum timber guidelines or required definitions and does not substantially change existing home‑rule standards. If you were entitled to a mailed notice and did not get one, you must sue in Superior Court within 90 days after adoption. The court can void the ordinance only if the town failed to send the required notice, you had no knowledge, and you were materially harmed.

New process to adopt timber ordinances

Beginning January 1, 2026, towns must follow set steps to write or change timber rules. A licensed forester must help, towns must meet with the state, and they must hold a public hearing at least 45 days before a vote (with mailed notice at least 14 days before the hearing when using home rule). Clerks must give the department the draft and hearing details at least 30 days before the hearing, and give the bureau a copy at least 7 days before the meeting and again within 30 days after adoption. Towns with a timber ordinance on January 1, 2026 must file it with the bureau by April 30, 2026. The bureau keeps a public list of local timber rules, and any ordinance adopted after January 1, 2026 takes effect only after bureau certification of proper process. The state repays towns for direct costs of required notices.

Towns must meet state timber standards

The law stops towns from using timber rules that are weaker than the state’s minimum standards. Towns with a timber ordinance adopted before September 1, 1990 must update their forestry definitions to match state terms by January 1, 2028.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Stephan Bunker

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 274

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/9/2025Senate

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

    6/9/2025House

  4. Reports READ and ACCEPTED Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-295) READ. House Amendment "A" (H-500) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-295) READ and ADOPTED Committee Amendment "A" (H-295) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-500) thereto ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-295) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-500) thereto in concurrence.

    6/5/2025Senate

  5. Speaker laid before the HouseSubsequently, the Committee Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-295) was READ.On motion of Representative PLUECKER of Warren, House Amendment "A" (H-500) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-295) was READ and ADOPTED.Committee Amendment "A" (H-295) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-500) thereto was 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" (H-295) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-500) thereto.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/4/2025House

  6. Unfinished Business

    6/3/2025House

  7. Unfinished Business

    6/2/2025House

  8. Unfinished Business

    5/29/2025House

  9. Unfinished Business

    5/28/2025House

  10. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYOn OBJECTION of Representative PLUECKER of Warren REMOVED.The Committee Report was READ.On motion of Representative PLUECKER of Warren, TABLED pending ACCEPTANCE of the Committee Report.Later today assigned.

    5/28/2025House

  11. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  12. Received by the Clerk of the House on January 23, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    1/23/2025House

Bill Text

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