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MaineLD 556132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)Senate

An Act to Preserve Heating and Energy Choice by Prohibiting a Municipality from Prohibiting a Particular Energy System or Energy Distributor

Sponsored By: Matthew Harrington

Signed by Governor

MUNICIPALITIESMUNICIPALITIES - ORDINANCES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Maine towns cannot ban your heating choice

The law stops Maine towns from banning any safe, commercially available heating or energy system you choose. This includes energy for motor vehicles. Towns also cannot block installers or energy distributors from installing, connecting, servicing, or refilling those systems. An energy distributor includes suppliers of oil, propane, natural gas, wood, renewable resources, and related services. This rule is subject to other state laws that expressly allow local limits. Installers and distributors still must meet all licensing and safety rules. Towns may still encourage or spend money to support certain systems.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Matthew Harrington

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Trey L. Stewart

    Republican • Senate

  • Joseph M. Baldacci

    Democratic • Senate

  • Randall Greenwood

    Republican • House

  • Reagan Paul

    Republican • House

  • Steven Foster

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 243 • No: 250

Senate vote • 6/25/2025

ENACTMENT

Yes: 18 • No: 14

Senate vote • 6/25/2025

RECONSIDER

Yes: 1 • No: 31

House vote • 6/18/2025

Enactment

Yes: 78 • No: 67

Senate vote • 6/18/2025

RECEDE AND CONCUR

Yes: 17 • No: 16

House vote • 6/17/2025

ACC MAJ OUGHT TO PASS REP

Yes: 81 • No: 67

Senate vote • 6/16/2025

TABLE UNTIL LATER

Yes: 14 • No: 20

Senate vote • 6/16/2025

RECONSIDER

Yes: 17 • No: 18

Senate vote • 6/16/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS REPORT

Yes: 17 • No: 17

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 456

    7/1/2025

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 646 Yeas 18 - Nays 14 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 Motion by Senator HARRINGTON of York to RECONSIDER PASSAGE TO BE ENACTED FAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 646 Yeas 18 - Nays 14 - Excused 3 - Absent 0

    6/25/2025Senate

  3. RELEASED.

    6/25/2025House

  4. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. ROLL CALL NO. 582(Yeas 78 - Nays 67 - Absent 4 - Excused 2)Sent for concurrence. HELD at the Request of Representative MOONEN of Portland.

    6/18/2025House

  5. Senator PIERCE of Cumberland moved The Senate INSIST on ACCEPTANCE of The Minority Ought Not To Pass Report. On motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook the Senate RECEDED AND CONCURRED to The Majority Ought to Pass Report and the Bill PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED in concurrence. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 620 Yeas 17 - Nays 16 - Excused 2 - Absent 0

    6/18/2025Senate

  6. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SALISBURY of Westbrook, the Majority Ought to Pass Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 553(Yeas 81 - Nays 67 - Absent 1 - Excused 2)The Bill was READ ONCE.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.In NON-CONCURRENCE and sent for concurrence.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/17/2025House

  7. Taken from the table by the President Motion by Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass Report FAILED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 565 Yeas 17 - Nays 17 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending The Minority Ought Not To Pass Report FAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 566 Yeas 14 - Nays 20 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Subsequently, The Minority Ought Not To Pass Report ACCEPTED. HELD at the Request of Senator STEWART of Aroostook. Motion by Senator HARRINGTON of York to RECONSIDER whereby the Senate ACCEPTED The Minority Ought Not To Pass Report FAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 576 Yeas 17 - Nays 18 - Excused 0 - Absent 0 Sent down for concurrence

    6/16/2025Senate

  8. Unfinished Business

    6/13/2025Senate

  9. Unfinished Business

    6/13/2025Senate

  10. Unfinished Business

    6/11/2025Senate

  11. Unfinished Business

    6/10/2025Senate

  12. Unfinished Business

    6/9/2025Senate

  13. Unfinished Business

    6/5/2025Senate

  14. Unfinished Business

    6/4/2025Senate

  15. Unfinished Business

    6/3/2025Senate

  16. Unfinished Business

    6/2/2025Senate

  17. Unfinished Business

    5/29/2025Senate

  18. Unfinished Business

    5/28/2025Senate

  19. Unfinished Business

    5/27/2025Senate

  20. Unfinished Business

    5/22/2025Senate

  21. Unfinished Business

    5/21/2025Senate

  22. Unfinished Business

    5/20/2025Senate

  23. Unfinished Business

    5/14/2025Senate

  24. Unfinished Business

    5/13/2025Senate

  25. Unfinished Business

    5/7/2025Senate

Bill Text

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