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MaineLD 837132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Require Positions Taken by the Public Advocate to Be Consistent with the Cost-effective Implementation of the State's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions Obligations

Sponsored By: Mark W. Lawrence (Democratic)

Became Law

PUBLIC ADVOCATEPUBLIC ADVOCATE - POWERS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Public Advocate must favor low-cost climate action

The law requires the Maine Public Advocate to use independent judgment in every case. The Advocate’s position must follow state policy priorities. It must promote stable or lower prices for the utility customers the office represents. It must also align with cost-effective ways for ratepayers to meet Maine’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. This guides the office’s advocacy in all proceedings under its authority.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mark W. Lawrence

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Kilton Webb

    Democratic • House

  • Melanie Sachs

    Democratic • House

  • Valli Geiger

    Democratic • House

  • Walter Runte

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 112 • No: 96

Senate vote • 5/14/2025

ENACTMENT

Yes: 20 • No: 14

House vote • 4/30/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 74 • No: 67

Senate vote • 4/29/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 18 • No: 15

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 118

    5/1/2026

  2. Taken from the table by the President Subsequently, FINALLY PASSED in concurrence PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 169 Yeas 20 - Nays 14 - Excused 1 - Absent 0

    5/14/2025Senate

  3. Unfinished Business

    5/13/2025Senate

  4. On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ENACTMENT Unfinished Business

    5/7/2025Senate

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

    5/6/2025House

  6. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 104(Yeas 74 - Nays 67 - Absent 9 - Excused 0 - Restricted - 1)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-29) 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-29). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/30/2025House

  7. Reports READ On motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 129 Yeas 18 - Nays 15 - Excused 2 - Absent 0 READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (S-29) READ. ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-29) Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    4/29/2025Senate

  8. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025Senate

  9. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/4/2025House

  10. Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    3/4/2025Senate

Bill Text

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