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

An Act to Establish Net Neutrality

Sponsored By: Christopher Kessler (Democratic)

Became Law

BUSINESS PRACTICESBUSINESS PRACTICES - INTERNET

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Net-neutral internet service for Maine customers

Internet companies in Maine must provide net neutral broadband service and treat lawful internet traffic the same. They may use reasonable, technical network management to keep service working, applied without discrimination, not for business reasons. They may address copyright violations or other unlawful activity. This law does not override emergency, public safety, law enforcement, or national security duties. Companies can offer different speeds or data caps. They can offer income-based plans, promos, or legacy prices if nondiscriminatory and net-neutral.

How Maine enforces net neutrality

Breaking the net neutrality rule is an unfair trade practice under Maine law. State authorities enforce these violations. Individuals cannot bring a private lawsuit for these violations under the state's private action law.

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

    6/22/2025

  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

  • Amendment C-A (H-439), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Amendment H-A to C-A (H-506), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation