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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.

Five-year job ban for Public Advocate

For anyone who serves as Maine’s Public Advocate on or after December 15, 2025, the law sets a 60-month (five-year) cooling-off period after service ends. During that time, the Public Advocate cannot solicit or take paid work from a Maine public utility. The Public Advocate also cannot appear before the commission for pay for a person who was in a case where the Advocate was a party during the Advocate’s term. This limit does not apply when representing a state agency or a quasi-independent state entity. Employment includes part-time work, consulting, and board seats. Violations can bring a civil fine up to $10,000 per occurrence, payable to the State. The Attorney General can investigate and sue.

Five-year job ban for utility commissioners

For commissioners who serve on or after December 15, 2025, the law sets a 60-month (five-year) cooling-off period after service ends. During that time, a commissioner cannot solicit or take paid work from a Maine public utility. A commissioner also cannot appear before the commission for pay on behalf of any person. Employment includes part-time work, consulting, and board seats. Violations can bring a civil fine up to $10,000 per occurrence, payable to the State. The Attorney General can investigate and sue.

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

    5/1/2026

  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

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