PRIA Logo™
MaineLD 536132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Establish Net Neutrality

Sponsored By: Christopher Kessler (Democratic)

Became Law

BUSINESS PRACTICESBUSINESS PRACTICES - INTERNET

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

How Maine enforces net neutrality

Starting June 22, 2025, breaking the net neutrality rule counts as a violation of Maine’s Unfair Trade Practices Act. The state can use that law’s penalties and remedies. People and businesses cannot bring private lawsuits under Title 5, section 213 for these violations.

Open internet rules for providers

Beginning June 22, 2025, internet providers in Maine must offer net‑neutral broadband. They cannot block or favor traffic for pay. Providers may use technical, nondiscriminatory steps to manage networks and keep capacity. They may take reasonable steps against copyright infringement and other illegal acts. Emergency, public safety, law‑enforcement, and national security duties still apply.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Christopher Kessler

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 79 • No: 66

House vote • 6/4/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 79 • No: 66

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 404

    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 ReadOn motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-397) READ. House Amendment "A" (H-506) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-439) READ and ADOPTED. Committee Amendment "A" (H-439) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-506) thereto ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-439) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-506) thereto in concurrence.

    6/5/2025Senate

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 317(Yeas 79 - Nays 66 - Absent 6 - Excused 0)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-439) was READ.On motion of Representative KESSLER of South Portland, House Amendment "A" (H-506) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-439) was READ and ADOPTED.Committee Amendment "A" (H-439) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-506) 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-439) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-506) thereto.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/4/2025House

  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. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY in concurrence

    2/11/2025Senate

  8. Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    2/11/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation