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MaineLD 497132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act Regarding the Regulation of Significant Vernal Pools Under the Natural Resources Protection Act

Sponsored By: Victoria Doudera (Democratic)

Became Law

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPTENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPT - POWERS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

When vernal pool rules don't apply

You are not regulated for buffer-area work if the pool depression is not on your land. If a pool is split by a property line and you cannot enter the neighbor's land, only the part on your land counts for significance. A written finding that the pool is not significant under this rule stays valid with no time limit. Either the environmental or wildlife department may also find a pool not significant if it dries early and it was never found significant before. In northern Maine, that means it dries before July 15; in southern Maine, before July 1.

No habitat fees for brownfield waterfronts

If your working waterfront land is in a state or federal brownfields program or the state voluntary cleanup program, the law waives habitat compensation. For a waterfront activity license on that land, you do not have to replace habitat function or pay a habitat compensation fee. This lowers permit costs for qualifying sites.

Stronger building limits near vernal pools

The law defines key habitat areas around vernal pools. Significant habitat is the pool plus land within 250 feet of the high-water mark. The pool and a 100-foot protection zone must not be disturbed to the greatest extent practicable. If the critical habitat crosses property lines, land on the neighboring parcel gets the same protections. These rules can limit building, clearing, or grading on affected land.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Victoria Doudera

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Denise Tepler

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 95 • No: 84

Senate vote • 6/10/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 18 • No: 14

House vote • 6/10/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 77 • No: 70

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 338

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/11/2025Senate

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

    6/10/2025House

  4. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator TEPLER of Sagadahoc the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 440 Yeas 18 - Nays 14 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-606) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-606) in concurrence.

    6/10/2025Senate

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative DOUDERA of Camden, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 405(Yeas 77 - Nays 70 - Absent 2 - Excused 2)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-606) 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" (H-606). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

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

    3/21/2025House

  7. Received by the Clerk of the House on February 6, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    2/6/2025House

Bill Text

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