Proposals

The Commission proposes changes to Chapter 410 to (1) clarify the confidentiality provision for buyer names and addresses and (2) respond to the Joint Standing Committee on Housing and Economic Development’s request that the Commission review the rules and standards of practice and adopt further rule changes to combat deed fraud. The Commission is proposing to address deed fraud issues with a new section in the rule to require an affiliated licensee to take reasonable steps to verify the identity of a seller and the seller‘s legal authority to transfer a property prior to entering into a brokerage agreement or providing real estate brokerage services in a real estate transaction.

In accordance with 12 MRS, §11401, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in conjunction with the Town of Tremont in Hancock County is proposing to conduct a special deer hunt during the month of November beginning in 2026 and extending for 3 years. Deer taken during this special hunt are in addition to the statewide bag limit. All other specifications of the special hunt set by the Town and all other laws and rules relating to deer hunting shall apply. Please contact the agency contact person for a complete copy of the rule proposal.

On February 17, 2026, Public Law Chapter 540 “An Act to Address Maine’s Health Care Workforce Shortage and Improve Access to Care” was enacted authori

Maine Revenue Services (“MRS”) is proposing to amend Rule 104 (“Filing of Maine Tax Returns”) to add any tax return and tax return schedules and worksheets for which MRS provides a program of electronic filing or electronic data submission to the list of forms that are subject to the electronic filing mandate. The rule also proposes to impose an electronic filing requirement beginning in 2026 on certain taxpayers and tax return preparers filing fuel tax or cigarette tax refund applications and, beginning in 2027, that file mining excise tax or composite income tax forms. The rule removes service provider and initiator of deposit tax returns from the list of returns that are required to be filed electronically. Other technical changes are made to the rule to enhance clarity.

This proposed rule amends the current rule to clarify eligibility, aligns the rule with the statutory framework governing line-of-duty death benefits for law enforcement officers, updates and refines key definitions including those relating to children, parents, official duty, and line-of-duty deaths, provides greater clarity regarding who may qualify for benefits and under what circumstances, and conforms with recent updates to 25 MRS §§1611 – 1612 and conforms to federal Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-61)

This chapter provides guidance on compensation limits and offsets applicable to disability retirement benefits. The proposed amended rule chapter updates references in conformity with PL 2025, c. 598 and eliminates the requirement that excess benefit payments addressed by this chapter be reimbursed to the System.

This chapter sets forth the standards and processes for determining eligibility for disability retirement benefits. The proposed amended rule chapter implements changes enacted in PL 2025, c. 598 and clarifies that a member reinstated to service under certain conditions is considered to have been in service throughout the period of reinstatement.

The Department proposes updates to 10-144 C.M.R. Ch. 609; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) rules to ensure consistency with other Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence Employment and Training programs. Section 4 (III)(B) would provide clarity that the most cost-effective approach reasonable for the Participant’s Individuali

The Public Utilities Commission initiates a rulemaking to promulgate a new rule, Chapter 398. In this rule the Commission proposes to adopt the standards, requirements, and procedures it will employ in reviewing: (1) Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for Renewable and Clean Resources submitted by the Department of Energy Resources (Department); and (2) contracts between an entity selected by the Department pursuant to an RFP and a transmission and distribution (T&D) utility.

Routine rate adjustment

The proposed changes to Chapter 7 are intended to benefit the harness racing industry by making the rules clearer for participants and officials. The changes will keep racing practices current and protect the equines that compete by adding more restrictions to the whipping rule and requiring that claims not be announced until after the race is official.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing to amend the areas open to hunting during the expanded archery season. The proposed change adds land area and joins and consolidates several existing expanded archery deer hunting areas along the southern and central Maine coast and adds some coastal islands to expanded archery. This proposed change provides additional deer harvest opportunities in areas where doe harvest tends to be below desired levels and where hunting as a management tool is limited by land access, challenging geography such as islands and peninsulas, and high levels of development. Please contact the agency contact person for a complete copy of the rule proposal.

MRS is proposing an amendment to Rule 205 that (1) clarifies the administration of carry-forward continuing education credits; (3) creates a framework for the approval or denial of continuing education credit-awarding activities; (4) creates a framework for the enforcement of continuing education requirements, including advanced continuing education; (5) restructures the inactive/withdrawn and retired CMA statuses; and (6) makes other technical and clarifying changes.

The proposed changes would update agency rules to reflect P.L. 2025, Chapter 593, which requires paid communications to the public containing images or audio of a candidate that have been misleadingly manipulated or altered to contain a specific disclosure statement, and P.L. 2025, Chapter 600, which increased the spending threshold for communications to the public that require the filing of an “independent expenditure report” from spending $250 per candidate to spending $1,000 per candidate.

The Department proposes routine technical changes to 10-144 C.M.R. Ch. 301; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Rules to ensure compliance with P.L. 2025, Ch. 647, 1-A signed into law on April 6, 2026. Consistent with P.L. 2025, Ch. 647, 1-A, the proposed rule would update Section 111-2 to provide clarity for participants, applicants, and Department staff for Special Immigrant Juvenile requirements and survivors of human trafficking that do not qualify for federal food assistance benefits who may be potentially eligible for State Funded SNAP. Other non-substantive changes were made to align the language of the rule with the amended language in the law.

The Board of Licensure of Water System Operators, established within the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, proposes changes to its Water System Operators Licensing Rule. This rule regulates the licensure of Public water system operators, establishes classifications, sets license fees, and outlines complaint procedures. The primary purpose of the Department’s and Board’s proposed amendments include updating the classification of public water systems by adding a third classification - Very Small Water System (VSWS) - at Section 3(A); reorgani

The existing rule will be amended to incorporate by reference the new and amended NESHAP promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency between July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2025, for which the Department seeks delegation of enforcement authority.

The existing rule will be amended to incorporate by reference the new and amended NSPS promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency between July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2025, for which the Department seeks delegation of enforcement authority.

The rule package is being updated to reflect the changes in law requiring all licensees to pay 10% of gross fantasy contest revenues due on the 10th of January each year for the previous year.

This regulation would establish open harvest days for the taking of sea urchins by divers, rakers, trappers, and draggers in

This proposed rule-making amends the limited entry system for scallop licenses. Scallop dive licenses are proposed to be issued through a license lottery held annually, as is currently the case. Scallop drag licenses would be issued through a license lottery annually, but individuals selected through the lottery will need to complete a Scallop Drag Apprenticeship Program before they will be eligible to purchase their scallop drag license.

This Chapter establishes the procedures for the submission, consideration and disposition for requests for advisory rulings as required by 5 M.R.S. § 9001.

This Chapter outlines the procedure that may be used in selecting a contractor to provide deliverables to MainePERS. The proposed amended rule provides clarifications about the applicability of the rule, conforms to updated practices and updates language for clarity and accuracy.

This chapter places restrictions on retirees reemployment while receiving a MainePERS retirement benefit. This proposed repeal and replacement rule narrows those restrictions to only those otherwise required by law, including only applying restrictions to retirees returning to work with the same employer, incorporates information on early distribution taxes and clarifies the language of the rule.

The proposed changes focus on moderni

The Rule establishes standards for the Home Energy Assistance Program for the State of Maine as administered by the Maine State Housing Authority. The Home Energy Assistance Program provides Fuel Assistance and Energy Crisis Intervention Programs to income Eligible Households. The Rule also establishes standards for the HEAP Weatheri

The Department proposes routine technical updates 10-144 C.M.R. Ch. 331; Public Assistance Manual Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) consistent with legislative changes made to 22 M.R.S. § 3769-C(1)(D) made by P.L. 2023, Ch. 622, § 2.

Under current regulation, it is prohibited to fish or to possess fish or fish parts on the Androscoggin River upstream of the Route 201 bridge between Brunswick and Topsham, to the Central Maine Power Company dam. Following the installation of a new bridge, Maine DOT is removing the bridge referenced in the regulation, so this proposed rulemaking would amend the boundary to a line 150 feet downstream from the fishway in Brunswick, north to the eastern tip of the first unnamed point upstream of the Pejepscot Paper Company Mill in Topsham, to the Central Maine Power Company dam.

This proposed rulemaking would modify the mackerel recreational possession limit to align with recent changes adopted by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under NOAA. Mackerel is regulated by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC). The 2025 management track stock assessment indicated that the Atlantic mackerel stock was not overfished, allowing for a higher recreational bag limit. As a result, this proposed rulemaking increases the mackerel possession limit from 20 fish to 25 fish, in alignment with the private angler bag limit established by MAFMC.

This proposed rulemaking would modify the bluefish recreational possession limit to align with recent changes adopted by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under NOAA. Bluefish is regulated by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). The 2025 management track stock assessment projected that the bluefish stock would reach its rebuilding target in 2025, allowing for a higher recreational bag limit. As a result, this proposed rulemaking increases the bluefish possession limit from 3 fish to 5 fish, in alignment with the private angler bag limit established by MAFMC and ASMFC.

This proposed rulemaking seeks to modify the recreational si

Amended Rule 207 removes references to now-repealed tax rates (see PL 2025, c. 388), clarifies provisions relating to administration of the tax for multi-transfer transactions, and makes other clarifying and technical changes.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIFW) is proposing its annual permit numbers for the hunting of antlerless deer. Also, as directed by the Legislature in Resolve 2025, Chapter 35, DIFW has assessed the ability of additional WMDs to support a 2nd week of mu

This rule creates a new Chapter 3 in the Maine Pilotage Commission rules, which includes rates for vessels required to take sea pilots transiting Portland Harbor.

The OSHA Ha

This rule package is to create rules to implement statutory changes in 17 M.R.S. ch. 62 as amended by LD 1490 in 2025, that allows nonprofit organi

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing changes to Chapter 17 rules to open an early raccoon trapping season, adjust the areas open or closed to beaver trapping, make minor changes to the definition of rat traps that are used primarily for weasel trapping and to the definition of bait. Please contact the agency contact person for a complete copy of the rule proposal.

The amended rule responds to activity in the market, the changes are clarifications of current requirements and improved data collection.

The Department proposes routine technical changes to 10-144 C.M.R. Ch. 301; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Program Rules to enhance program integrity and avoid excessive program costs imposed by federal cost sharing requirements as enacted by P.L. 119-21 § 10105, signed into law and effective on July 4, 2025. The proposed rule would update Sections 222-5, 666-6, 666-9, and 999-1 to provide clarity to applicants, SNAP participants, and Department staff on eligibility and redetermination verification and documentation requirements.

The proposed rulemaking repeals the current Chapter 120, Electrical Installation Standards, and replaces it with a rule with the same title and in the same location that adopts and incorporate by reference into board rule the 2026 National Electrical Code, National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”) standard #70 (“2026 NEC”) subject to certain amendments and exclusions. Go to https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/electricians to access the proposed rule and related rulemaking documents.

These rules will govern the new multi-jurisdictional game called “Powerball Xs & Os”. This game will allow players to select eight National Football League (NFL) teams from the thirty-two NFL teams. The lottery will randomly draw eight teams from the thirty-two NFL teams. Players win pri

This amendment to the Millionaire for Life rules clarifies the grand pri

This new proposed rule contains the organi

The rule repeals and replaces the current Chapter 16, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Rule. The rule is the qualified allocation plan for allocating and administering the federal low-income housing tax credit in the State of Maine, including the State’s housing credit ceiling for calendar years 2027 and 2028, as required pursuant to Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Chapter 5 creates an appeal process for reconsideration of a spirits product retail price as established by the Liquor and Lottery Commission.

Amends chapter 2, regarding spirits pricing to provide elements of the pricing formula, multi-pack and emergency pricing and the process by which wholesale and retail pricing is determined.

This proposed rule allows the Commission to certify Lifeline-only ETCs and alters the standards and procedures for certifying such ETCs.PUBLIC HEARING: April 16, 2026 at 1:30pm at the Public Utilities Commission, 26 Katherine Drive, Hallowell, Maine 04347. COMMENT DEADLINE: May 15, 2026. Final comments on the proposed rule may be filed electronically using the Commission’s Case Management System (CMS). Please refer to the Docket No. 2026-00020 when submitting comments. Initial Comments regarding the proposed rule must be filed on or before Friday, April 10, 2026.CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Hailey Ri

​​LD 706 as signed into Public Law (PL) 235 by Governor Mills on June 10, 2025, included a change to 26 M.R.S.A. §1221-A, sub-§3 for Employee Leasing Companies. The change consisted of making each individual client of an Employee Leasing Company liable for the tax rate based on the client’s individual experience rating, instead of a blended rate of all clients within defined units maintained by the Employee Leasing Company. The change was made to more accurately reflect employer liability for contributions to the UI Trust Fund, as well as to ensure employers are paying the correct rate, as opposed to potentially a higher or lower rate than their individual experience requires.​

​​LD 706 as signed into Public Law (PL) 235 by Governor Mills on June 10, 2025, included a repeal and replace of §1192 related to UI eligibility conditions to a newly created §1192-A. Furthermore, several other changes related to Able & Available eligibility guidelines were updated in PL 235. These changes necessitated a review and update of this rule as proposed. Furthermore, this rule had not been updated since 2017, and since then a challenge to the Able & Available requirements for incarcerated individuals needed to be clarified through rule making.​

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) is proposing to amend Chapter 2 rules as they apply to fishing derbies and tournaments to improve IFW’s ability to ensure bass tournaments conduct aquatic invasive species and livewell inspections on all watercraft as intended, allowing additional opportunity for trained aquatic invasive species inspectors not associated with a bass club to conduct inspections if available and mutually agreed upon, and ensure that data is submitted legibly, and in a complete manner. Please contact the agency contact person for a complete copy of the rule proposal.