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MaineLD 861132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act to Prohibit the Public Advocate and a Commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission from Certain Employment Activities Following Service

Sponsored By: Sophia Warren (Democratic)

Became Law

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONPUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION - POWERS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

One-year cooling off for Public Advocate

The law sets a one-year cooling-off period for the Maine Public Advocate. It applies to anyone serving in the role on or after December 15, 2025. For 12 months after service ends, a former Public Advocate may not solicit or accept any paid work from a Maine public utility, including consulting or board service. During those 12 months, they may not appear before the commission for pay for someone who was a party in a case where the Public Advocate was also a party during their term. This appearance ban does not apply when representing a state agency or a quasi-independent state entity. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per occurrence, enforced by the Maine Office of the Attorney General.

One-year cooling off for utility commissioners

The law sets a one-year cooling-off period for Maine Public Utilities Commission commissioners. It applies to anyone serving in the role on or after December 15, 2025. For 12 months after service ends, a former commissioner may not solicit or accept any paid work from a Maine public utility, including consulting or board service. During those 12 months, they also may not appear before the commission for pay on behalf of any person. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per occurrence, enforced by the Maine Office of the Attorney General.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Sophia Warren

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Nicole C. Grohoski

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 406

    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 by Committee Amendment "A" (H-476) Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-476) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-476) in concurrence.

    6/5/2025Senate

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative RUNTE of York, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-476) 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" (H-476). 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

    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

  • Amendment C-A (H-476), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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