All Roll Calls
Yes: 160 • No: 9
MaineLD 697132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)Senate
An Act to Direct the Maine Prescription Drug Affordability Board to Assess Strategies to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs and to Take Steps to Implement Reference-based Pricing
Sponsored By: Cameron D. Reny (Democratic)
Became Law
PRESCRIPTION DRUGSPRESCRIPTION DRUGS - AFFORDABILITY BOARD
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Maine must plan for lower drug costs
Maine’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board must study ways to lower drug costs and patients’ out-of-pocket spending. It must review spending and use data, seek public input, and consult its advisory council and any technical committees. Required studies cover upper payment limits and reference pricing, which uses benchmark prices. The reference-pricing review includes state employee health plan savings on the first 10 drugs negotiated through Medicare’s drug price negotiation program. Other required studies cover public and commercial insurance spending targets, drug supply-chain oversight, and disclosure of discounts and rebates. The board must also study insurance rules and rate reviews to lower patient costs, provider education, and payments tied to actual drug purchase costs. It must weigh effects on consumers and total health costs, practical barriers, and other states’ experience. A preliminary program plan is due January 30, 2026, and a final plan is due October 1, 2027. Plans must identify implementation and enforcement steps, needed funding and authority, and needed legislative changes. These requirements do not themselves set drug prices or guarantee household savings.
One board member loses expense payments
The Maine Health Data Organization director or designee cannot receive legislative daily pay or expense reimbursement for board service. This exclusion applies to service on the Prescription Drug Affordability Board. Other board members and the specified advisory council member remain eligible for these payments.
Maine funds drug affordability board staff
Beginning October 1, 2025, the Office of Affordable Health Care receives funding for one Public Service Manager III position. The manager supports the drug affordability board’s planning, government and stakeholder relations, research, writing, and administrative work. The law appropriates $107,817 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $149,118 for fiscal year 2026-27. This public spending supports affordability work but does not directly lower drug prices or provide household payments.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Cameron D. Reny
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Anne-Marie Mastraccio
Democratic • House
Denise Tepler
Democratic • Senate
Donna Bailey
Democratic • Senate
Henry L. Ingwersen
Democratic • Senate
Joseph Rafferty
Democratic • Senate
Kristi Mathieson
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 6/2/2025
ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP
Yes: 125 • No: 9
Senate vote • 5/29/2025
ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT
Yes: 35 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
ACTPUB Chapter 530
1/11/2026HELD BY THE GOVERNOR.
7/8/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
6/25/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/25/2025HouseThe House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-159) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-459) thereto.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/25/2025HouseOn motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table On motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-159) On further motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby Committee Amendment "A" (S-159) was ADOPTED. On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-459) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-159) READ and ADOPTED. Committee Amendment "A" (S-159) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-459) thereto ADOPTED. PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-159) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-459) thereto in NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence.
6/25/2025SenateOn motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence
6/2/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/2/2025HouseReports READ.On motion of Representative MATHIESON of Kittery, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 249(Yeas 125 - Nays 9 - Absent 17 - Excused 0)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-159) 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" (S-159). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/2/2025HouseTaken from the table by the President On motion by Senator BAILEY of York The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 269 Yeas 35 - Nays 0 - Excused 0 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (S-159) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-159) Sent down for concurrence
5/29/2025SenateReports READ On motion by Senator BAILEY of York Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ACCEPTANCE OF EITHER REPORT. Unfinished Business
5/28/2025SenateCARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
3/21/2025SenateReceived by the Secretary of the Senate on February 20, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2
2/20/2025Senate
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (S-159), adopted by House & Senate
Amendment S-A to C-A (S-459), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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