Each legislative session, Maine Audubon closely follows bills related to our mission of protecting Maine wildlife and habitat. Below you’ll find details of our current and previous Legislative Priorities.
For a full recap of 2025, watch the recording of our 2025 Legislative Summary here (opens in YouTube).
As always, we need the help of our members and supports to pass legislation. Reaching out to your state or federal representatives to let them know that their constituents support these bills is essential to gaining support and votes. Emails, phone calls, letters to the editor, oral testimony, and member meetings are all ways to get involved and make your voice heard. Stay up to date with the latest news by subscribing to our Action Alert system here, and learn some tips for effective citizen advocacy here. We’re so glad to have you involved.
| Bill Description | Summary | State or Federal | Maine Audubon position | Latest update |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LD 362 – An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Replenish the Land for Maine’s Future Program | The bill would add $50M to the Land for Maine’s Future program | State | Support | |
| LD567 An Act to Designate the 2nd Week of May as Dark Sky Week | Curbing artificial light pollution | State | Support | Amended, Supported by committee |
| LD1543 An Act to Establish the Maine Green Schools Network | Bolstering “Green Schools” programs | State | Support | Became law! |
| LD 1630 An Act to Amend the Open Space Tax Law | Updating the Open Space Tax Law | State | Support | Public hearing scheduled |
| LD1340 An Act to Establish the Municipal Stream Crossing Fund | Codifying StreamSmart culvert program | State | Support | Testified. Signed into law! |
| LD836 An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Upgrade Municipal Culverts at Stream Crossings | Funding for StreamSmart program | State | Support | Testified, April 2025 |
| LD 1241 An Act to Establish the Make Change for Wildlife Program to Support the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund | Establishing the ‘Change for Wildlife’ program to help fund endangered species conservation | State | Support | Signed into law! |
| LD77 An Act to Stabilize and Sustainably Fund the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Fisheries and Hatcheries Division by Increasing the Inland Fishing License Fees and Establishing the Inland Fisheries Conservation and Enhancement Fund | Support native fish conservation | State | Support | |
| LD1323 An Act to Prohibit the Use of Neonicotinoid Pesticides and the Use and Sale of Neonicotinoid-treated Seeds | Expanding prohibitions of harmful neonicotinoids (insecticides) | State | Support | Testified, April 2025; Signed into law! |
| LD1529 An Act to Enhance the Protection of High-value Natural Resources Statewide | Help conserve remote, undeveloped ponds of statewide significance and “old-growth” forests | State | Support | Testified, April 2025; Signed Into Law! |
| Bill Description | Summary | State or Federal | Maine Audubon Position | Latest Update |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developing Thoughtful Renewable Energy Siting Policies – LD 1227 | Funds dual-use agriculture/solar pilot projects. | State | Support | Public hearing 4/19/2023 – Maine Audubon Testimony. |
| Maine Trail Bond – LD 1156 | Would provide a boost in funding, up to $30M over four years, for non-motorized, motorized, and diverse-use trails utilized for recreation and/or active transportation across the state. | State | Support | |
| An Act to Advance Self-determination for Wabanaki Nations – LD 2007 | Restores self-determination and self-governance for the Wabanaki Nations. | State | Support | Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Wabanaki Studies – LD 1642 | Would strengthen the teaching of Wabanaki studies in Maine schools. | State | Support | Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Funding LMF – LD 1285 | Extends funding for the popular Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program | State | Support | Public hearing on April 10, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Protecting Shorelines – LD 2101 | Gives towns stronger tools to enforce their shoreland zoning rules. | State | Support | Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Protecting Shorelines – LD 2059 | Gives the state stronger tools to enforce their shoreland zoning rules. | State | Support | Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Plastic Pollution – LD 295 | The “Truth in Labeling” bill helps ensure that recyclable products are labeled correctly. | State | Support | Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Aquatic Invasive Species – LD 1342 | Increases funding available for AIS prevention programs. | State | Support | |
| Aquatic Invasive Species – LD 2141 | Appropriates $2M to the Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species 3 Fund. | State | Support | Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Open Space Tax Law – LD 1648 | Increases opportunities for landowners to receive the tax credit. | State | Support |
| Bill Description | Summary | State or Federal | Maine Audubon Position | Latest Update |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “The Offshore Wind Bill” – LD 1895 | Sets procurement schedule and other commitments to ensure safe and responsible wind development. | State | Support | Reported favorably out of the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee on 6/7 |
| “Bringing Nature Home” Bill – LD 649 | An Act to Promote Water Conservation and Water Quality and Create Habitat for Wildlife, Including Pollinator Species, by Protecting Low-impact Landscaping | State | Support | Public hearing 5/8/2023 – Maine Audubon Testimony. |
| “Renewable Energy Mitigation Bill” – LD 1881 | The bill would create a compensation program to account for impacts to high value natural resources from renewable energy infrastructure | State | Support | Public hearing 5/10/23 before the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee. – Maine Audubon Testimony. |
| Protecting Loons from Lead Poisoning – LD 958 | Phases out the sale of small-sized painted lead tackle. | State | Support | Public Hearing before the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee on 5/4. Read our op-ed in the Press Herald, and coverage in the Bangor Daily News. |
| Expanding Endangered & Threatened Species Habitat Conservation – LD 1246 | Expands the circumstances in which state agencies consult on strategies to avoid and minimize impacts to endangered and threatened species habitat. | State | Support | Passed on 6/6! – Read more here. |
| Developing Thoughtful Renewable Energy Siting Policies – LD 1227 | Funds dual-use agriculture/solar pilot projects. | State | Support | Public hearing 4/19/2023 – Maine Audubon Testimony. |
| Updating Maine’s Endangered Species Act – LD 57 | Proposes to add 8 species to be listed under Maine’s Endangered Species Act: Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Bicknell’s Thrush, Blackpoll Warbler, Saltmarsh Sparrow, Tricolored Bat, Ashton’s Cuckoo Bumble Bee, and Marginated Tiger Beetle. | State | Support | Signed into law on May 8! |
| Maine Trail Bond – LD 1156 | Would provide a boost in funding, up to $30M over four years, for non-motorized, motorized, and diverse-use trails utilized for recreation and/or active transportation across the state. | State | Support | |
| Supporting Tribal Sovereignty | Restores self-determination and self-governance for the Wabanaki Nations. | State | Support | The Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on Feb. 15 – watch here. Read a statement from the Wabanaki Nations here. |
| Blue Hill Falls Waterfowl SanctuaryLD 1919 | Would increase protections for waterfowl south of Blue Hill Falls. | State | Support | |
| BirdSafe Bill – LD 670 | Would require the state to develop guidelines to reduce bird collisions on state buildings. | State | Support | Passed on 6/6! – Read more here. |
| Northern Maine Transmission Infrastructure – LD 924 | Re: a badly-needed new transmission line in northern Maine that utilizes existing right-of-ways. | State | Support | Public hearing on March 21, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Plastic Bag Ban Repeal – LD 425 and LD 572 | Propose weaken or repeal Maine’s nation-leading, strong plastic bag policy. | State | Oppose | Public hearing on March 1, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony. The Committee voted to not move this bill forward. Victory! |
| Pine Tree Amendment – LD 928 | Proposes an amendment to the Maine Constitution to establish a right to a clean and healthy environment | State | Support | Public hearing on March 22, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Bottle Redemption Bill – LD 972 | Would develop recommendations to improve Maine’s popular 40-year-old bottle redemption bill. | State | Support | Public hearing on March 29, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Forest Advisory Board – LD 993 | Establishes stakeholder process to review the state of our forests, develop public policies, and provide input the State Forest Action Plan. | State | Support | Public hearing on March 20, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Siting Renewables on Contaminated Land – LD 1591 | Encourages the siting of renewable energy projects on contaminated land, including brownfields and areas contaminated by PFAS. | State | Support | Public hearing on April 20, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| State Butterfly Bill – LD 239 | Bill would establish the Pink-edged Sulfur as the Maine State Butterfly. | State | Support | Signed into law in May 2023! Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Funding LMF – LD 1285 | Extends funding for the popular Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program | State | Support | Public hearing on April 10, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Studying Wake Boat Impacts – LD 379 | Directs the state to study the impacts of wake boats on shoreline property (and not on wildlife impacts) | State | Oppose | Public hearing on March 22, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |
| Protecting Wildlife from Wake Boat Impacts – LD 693 | Bill would expand the existing no-wake zone to 500 feet for boats designed to create large wakes. | State | Support | Public hearing on March 22, 2023. Maine Audubon Testimony |