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MaineLD 465132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Update Waste Discharge License Fees

Sponsored By: Nicole C. Grohoski (Democratic)

Became Law

WASTESWASTES - PERMITS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Higher waste discharge license fees

The law raises most waste discharge license fees. Your annual fee equals 1.4 times your 2019 fee, unless the schedule lists a different amount. This applies to public treatment plants, industrial and aquaculture facilities, food processing, noncontact cooling water, storm water, and other listed groups. Some sanitary overboard discharge fees use listed 2011 amounts instead. Use your 2019 fee to estimate your new bill.

Small funding for water quality operations

The government provides Other Special Revenue Funds to the Maine Environmental Protection Fund. It provides $55,791 in fiscal year 2025-26 and $57,409 in 2026-27. The money supports water quality work: licensing, compliance checks, monitoring, data, and administration.

Shellfish area surcharges for towns and plants

The law adds two shellfish-related surcharges each year. A $12,000 total fee is split among towns and public treatment plants with overflows that can affect shellfish areas, based on each entity’s prior 3-year average flow. A $25,000 total fee is split among plants whose outfalls close shellfish beds, based on the acres closed as set by the Marine Resources Department with the department. These surcharges are on top of regular license fees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Nicole C. Grohoski

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 62

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    5/6/2025Senate

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

    4/30/2025House

  4. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-24).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/29/2025House

  5. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-24) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-24).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    4/24/2025Senate

  6. 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

  7. Received by the Secretary of the Senate on February 5, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2

    2/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

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