PRIA Logo™
MaineLD 860132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Allow the Public Advocate to Obtain Information from Public Utilities, Competitive Electricity Providers and Standard-offer Service Providers

Sponsored By: Melanie Sachs (Democratic)

Became Law

ELECTRIC UTILITIESELECTRIC UTILITIES - DELIVERY

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: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Stronger watchdog powers over electricity providers

Beginning May 29, 2025, the Public Advocate gets more tools to protect electric customers. The office can review the reasonableness and adequacy of service and contract terms from utilities, standard-offer providers, and competitive providers. Utilities must give the Advocate copies of all reports they file with the Public Utilities Commission, unless the Advocate waives this in writing. The Advocate can ask the commission to order data from a utility or provider for good cause, with confidential data kept under a protective order. In commission cases, the Advocate has the same right as any other party to request information.

Study of electricity rates and practices

Beginning May 29, 2025, the Office of the Public Advocate must study electricity rates and business practices. It must consult at least three competitive providers and one standard-offer provider. The office must share at least one draft for comment and include all comments in an appendix. The final report is due to the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee by December 3, 2025.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Melanie Sachs

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Christopher Kessler

    Democratic • House

  • Kilton Webb

    Democratic • House

  • Mark W. Lawrence

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mathew McIntyre

    Republican • House

  • Nathan Wadsworth

    Republican • House

  • Sophia Warren

    Democratic • House

  • Steven Foster

    Republican • House

  • Valli Geiger

    Democratic • House

  • Walter Runte

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 123

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.

    5/27/2025Senate

  3. This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/27/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-204) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-204), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    5/22/2025Senate

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-204).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/22/2025House

  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

    3/4/2025Senate

  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.

    3/4/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation