Maine State Register

This chapter outlines the procedures governing the award of death benefits to the child, spouse or parent of a law enforcement officer who dies while in the line of duty. 25 MRS §§1611 – 1612.

The Department determines that adoption of this rule is necessary for compliance with federal rule changes adopted in April 2024 for the use of CCDF funds, according to 42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq., 45 C.F.R. Pt. 98. This routine/technical rulemaking is necessary to comply with Federal Rule updates according to 42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq., 45 C.F.R. Pt. 98. The Department adopted these changes on an emergency basis on 5/19/25 and this proposed rulemaking will adopt them after the emergency rule expires on 8/17/25 at 11:59pm EST (U.S. and Canada). Revisions to payment processes, including paying prospectively and by enrollment, as well as changes to co-payments are required to meet these federal rule changes. As well, the Department has proposed paying child care providers the market rates as part of these rule changes.

This proposed rulemaking repeals Rule Chapter 901. Chapter 901 was adopted in 1986 to provide a schedule for adjustments to confidential state employee’s average final compensation for the period January 1986 through March 1987. This rule appears to no longer have any application.

This rule defines the requirements to qualify as a full-time student for the purposes of survivor benefit payments to a dependent child of a deceased member. Rule Chapter 102 was adopted in 1986 and has not been substantively amended since that date. The proposal is to repeal and replace the rule. The proposed replacement rule includes updated language and formatting, and the removal of wording for consistency with existing statutory language.

This rule amends Chapter 709 as it pertains to reporting requirements for unhosted cryptocurrency wallets. The existing provisions have proven difficult or impossible for industry to comply with and new methods have been developed and are being implemented to address the concerns surrounding unhosted wallets.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is recommending the following changes to Chapter 14 rules Commercial Whitewater Rafting: Changing the whitewater guide total training run requirement for a Level One Whitewater Guide from the current 20 to 15 total training runs; changing the whitewater guide written exam waiting period for an applicant that is unsuccessful in passing the written exam from the current 30 days to 14 days; and, clarifying the language that requires a whitewater guide to carry on their person a knife. The proposed changes will assist outfitters in the quality of training runs and increase safety for rafters. Please contact the agency contact person for a complete copy of the rule proposal.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing to amend Chapter 20 rules to separate the current “Mammals and Heads” classification into their own classifications. Separate mammal and head classifications will allow applicants to choose one or both classifications for testing, which may help with the quality of the specimen produced during the exam process. Please contact the agency contact person for a complete copy of the rule proposal.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing a deer management assistance program (DMAP) to improve ability to serve some landowners that have deer conflicts. Part of this program will be providing landowners with additional deer removal options where deer are damaging market trees and crops, and this additional removal will come by way of DMAP permits allowing for the removal of additional antlerless deer from impacted properties. Please contact the agency contact person for a complete copy of the rule proposal.

The proposed rulemaking reflects the Appraisal Qualifications Board’s (AQB) adoption of changes to continuing education requirements contained in the 2026 Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria (Criteria). Licensed appraisers completing continuing education for the renewal of their license will be subject to these changes effective January 1, 2026. The Maine Board of Real Estate Appraisers proposes to adopt the following changes made by the AQB to continuing education requirements:

The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) is proposing to adopt antlerless deer permit (ADP) numbers for the 2025 deer hunting seasons and special mu

This rule implements the recent change in Maine law creating a universal exclusion list for all areas of gambling under the oversite of the Gambling Control Board and Gambling Control Unit respectively.

In this Rule, the Commission proposes to set forth a process for mediation between a municipality and a video service provider relating to negotiations of a franchise agreement or contract, the obligations of the Participants under the agreement or contract, or the obligations of the Video Service Provider.

This Chapter establishes a method for Counsel to seek payment for Secretarial Services and Paralegal Services on assigned cases.

This Chapter establishes a fee schedule and administrative procedures for payment of Counsel. The Chapter sets a standard hourly rate and fee amounts that trigger presumptive review for specific case types. The Chapter also establishes rules for the payment of mileage and other expenses that are eligible for reimbursement by the Commission. Finally, this Chapter requires that all vouchers for attorney fees and reimbursable expenses must be submitted using the PDS electronic case management system. The revisions to this Chapter permit Counsel to seek payment for Secretarial Services and Paralegal Services on assigned cases.

This rule is proposed to be repealed and replaced to update its provisions, including those related to acceptable ways of sending funds and hold periods on funds sent, and to add provisions on credit improvement loans and debit cards.

The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing to amend Chapter 16 rules to open WMD 3 to fall turkey hunting with a one turkey (can be either sex) season limit. Please contact the agency contact person for a complete copy of the rule proposal.

The proposed rule is intended to conform to recent legislative changes regarding consumer consent for certain contract renewals and regarding early termination fees. The proposed rule also includes changes to reflect the Commission’s experience in enforcing the statutory and regulatory provisions applicable to competitive electricity providers (CEPs) and otherwise includes changes intended to provide consistency and clarity within the rule.

The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund Board is proposing to amend its strategic plan to provide a six-year review of the plan. A complete copy of the proposal may be obtained from the contact person listed below.

The proposed rule changes would update the ASPIRE-TANF Program rules to ensure services provided are trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically appropriate and consistent with a legislative change to 22 M.R.S. §§ 3762(A-1), 3788, and 3790 made by P.L. 2021, Chapter 648 Part 5. The Department held a listening session on September 21, 2023 for current and former participants in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and community partners. Feedback from the listening session was incorporated in the development of the proposed rule changes.

The purpose of this chapter is to incorporate by reference certain rules governing Occupational Safety and Health in construction industry employment as promulgated by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration at 29 CFR Part 1926 as most recently amended as of January 13, 2025. This change updates the construction standard to require personal protective equipment (PPE) to properly fit the employee.

This replacement rule repeals and replaces in its entirety the current Home Energy Assistance Program Rule. The Rule establishes standards for administering fuel assistance, emergency fuel assistance, TANF Supplemental Benefits, weatheri

The Maine Land Use Planning Commission is proposing to repeal Chapter 15 as it is inconsistent with the Commission’s authority over forestry-related uses, including land management roads in management districts. Other road construction, repair, and relocation activities are addressed by Chapter 10 of the Commission’s rules.

The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing changes to Chapter 17 rules to adjust the time limits to register furbearer pelts by trappers, clarify the requirements for exclusion devices, and adjust the areas open or closed to beaver trapping. The proposed rules will have an effective date of 7/1/2025 to keep the chapter consistent with changes that were previously adopted in filing 2024-251 with an effective date of 7/1/2025. Please contact the agency contact person for a complete copy of the rule proposal.

This rule implements the recent change in Maine law requiring the Gambling Control Board in cooperation with the Department of Public Safety to approve qualified independent laboratories for certification of slot machines and associated equipment from distributors and service vendors.

The proposed rulemaking repeals and replaces several chapters to update the Commission’s rules in order to make technical and organi

The MDIFW is proposing to amend Chapter 27 rules to provide clarity in the eligibility and standards to operate as an Animal Damage Control (ADC) agent. Changes will allow the Department to address factors such as geographic location, unique services, and changing levels of human-wildlife conflict in the assessment of certification of prospective ADC agents. Addressing these Departmental program needs will help meet the increased demand for services on Departmental staff and ADC agents that deal with nuisance wildlife issues and provide consistent, safe, and reliable services to Maine’s citi