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ME·Bill·132nd Legislature (2025-2026)

LD 601

Died in committee

An Act To Remove State-Imposed Referendum Requirements Regarding Nuclear Power

Introduced 2025-02-20Last action 2025-04-10 — Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)Committee Energy, Utilities And Technology

Sponsor

Reagan PAULR

Cosponsors

Roger ALBERT(R)Richard CAMPBELL(R)Steven FOSTER(R)Matthew HARRINGTON(R)Mathew MCINTYRE(R)Nathan WADSWORTH(R)
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Died in committee
The 132nd Legislature (2025-2026) ended on 2025-06-18. This bill was in committee when the session adjourned and did not advance to enactment.

Legislative Progress

✓
Introduced
✗
In Committee
3
Passed Chamber
4
Enacted / Signed

Votes

Senate2025-04-10PassedSee how each member voted →
Accept Majority Ought Not To Pass Report RC #97
Yea 20 · 19 D · 1 RNay 14 · 14 RNV 0 · Absent 1
House2025-04-08PassedSee how each member voted →
Acc Maj Ought Not To Pass Rep RC #68
Yea 81 · 73 D · 6 R · 2 otherNay 63 · 63 RNV 0 · Absent 7

Summary

This Maine bill removes voter referendum requirements that currently prevent the state from constructing nuclear power plants or low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities without public approval through a ballot measure. The legislation repeals existing state laws that mandate such referendums and also eliminates the requirement for voter approval before Maine can enter into agreements with other states or the federal government regarding radioactive waste disposal. The main impact of this bill is to shift nuclear energy decision-making authority from Maine voters to the state legislature, potentially allowing for faster development of nuclear facilities without requiring a public vote.

Bill history

  1. 2025-02-20 · House
    Received by the Clerk of the House on February 20, 2025.
  2. 2025-02-20 · House
    The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
  3. 2025-03-19 · House
    Work Session Held
  4. 2025-03-19 · House
    Voted: Divided Report
  5. 2025-03-21 · House
    Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
  6. 2025-04-04 · House
    Reported Out: ONTP/OTP
  7. 2025-04-08 · House
    Reports READ.
  8. 2025-04-08 · House
    On motion of Representative SACHS of Freeport, the Majority Ought Not to Pass Report was ACCEPTED.
  9. 2025-04-08 · House
    ROLL CALL NO. 68 (Yeas 81 - Nays 63 - Absent 6 - Excused 0 - Restricted - 1)
  10. 2025-04-08 · House
    Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
  11. 2025-04-10 · Senate
    Reports Read
  12. 2025-04-10 · Senate
    On motion by Senator LAWRENCE of York the Majority Ought Not to Pass Report ACCEPTED. in concurrence PREVAILED
  13. 2025-04-10 · Senate
    Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 97 Yeas 20 - Nays 14 - Excused 1 - Absent 0
  14. 2025-04-10 · Senate
    Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)

Note

Historical import. Session: 132

Full Bill Text
https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0369&item=1&snum=132
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