PRIA Logo™
MaineLD 870132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act Regarding the Membership of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission

Sponsored By: William Bridgeo (Democratic)

Became Law

LAND USE PLANNING COMMISSIONLAND USE PLANNING COMMISSION - ADMINISTRATION

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Small funding for commission expansion

The state provides General Fund support to add members and cover transition costs. In 2025‑26, it provides $17,800 total: $6,850 one‑time for laptops and technology, $9,960 for overhead, and $990 for per diem. In 2026‑27, it provides $10,950 total: $9,960 for overhead and $990 for per diem.

Bigger land use board with county and tribal voices

The law expands the Maine Land Use Planning Commission from 9 to 11 members. The Governor appoints two seats, including a tribal member recommended by Maine’s tribes and a member with natural‑resource expertise who lives or works in the commission area. The Senate President and House Speaker jointly appoint one at‑large member with a scientific or technical background. Eight counties with the most unorganized or deorganized land must run an open 30‑day application and interview process and pick a qualified resident; the commission’s director alerts them 3 months before a term ends and they must share appointee details with state leaders. If a county does not act within 90 business days, the Governor fills the seat; all terms are 4 years with a limit of two in a row, and vacancies are filled by the original appointing authority.

New voting and leadership rules

The commission elects a chair, a vice‑chair, and any other needed officers each year from its members. Commission actions now require a simple majority of all members, replacing the old fixed five‑vote rule.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • William Bridgeo

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam LEE

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Allison Hepler

    Democratic • House

  • Henry L. Ingwersen

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Dill

    Democratic • House

  • Richard A. Bennett

    Independent • Senate

  • Sharon Frost

    Independent • House

  • Stacy F. Brenner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Teresa S. Pierce

    Democratic • Senate

  • William Pluecker

    Independent • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 95 • No: 83

Senate vote • 6/2/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 20 • No: 14

House vote • 5/29/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 75 • No: 69

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 534

    1/11/2026

  2. HELD BY THE GOVERNOR.

    7/8/2025Senate

  3. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

  4. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence

    6/2/2025Senate

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

    6/2/2025House

  6. Reports READ On motion by Senator TALBOT ROSS of Cumberland The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 276 Yeas 20 - Nays 14 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-327) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-327) in concurrence.

    6/2/2025Senate

  7. Reports READ.On motion of Representative PLUECKER of Warren, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 232(Yeas 75 - Nays 69 - Absent 7 - Excused 0)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-327) 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-327). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/29/2025House

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

    3/21/2025House

  9. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY in concurrence

    3/4/2025Senate

  10. Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/4/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-327), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation