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LD 1080

An Act Prohibiting Public Utilities From Requiring Deposits Based Solely On A Residential Customer'S Income

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Steven Foster and 9 co-sponsors

Prohibits Maine utilities from demanding residential deposits solely on income; deposits may rely on other risk factors, with PUC oversight and avenues to challenge.

Signed by Governor
#deposits #regulation #utilitydistricts
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Bill Summary · LD 1080

Summary — LD 1080

An Act Prohibiting Public Utilities From Requiring Deposits Based Solely On A Residential Customer's Income

Main purpose

LD 1080 prohibits public utilities in Maine from conditioning a residential customer’s required utility deposit solely on the customer’s income. The bill is intended to prevent utilities from using a household’s income level alone as the basis for demanding a cash security deposit.

Key provisions

  • Prohibition: Public utilities may not require a deposit from a residential customer if the only basis for the deposit is the customer’s income.
  • Oversight: The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) remains the state regulator for utilities and would handle any implementation, enforcement, or rulemaking necessary under the law.
  • Amendment: The bill was amended in committee (Committee Amendment “A”, H-86) prior to final passage; the engrossed version (with that amendment) was the version enacted.

Note: The bill text itself is not included here. The summary reflects the bill title and official legislative actions; it does not add or presume additional restrictions, exceptions, or definitions that may appear in the full statutory language.

Who is affected

  • Residential utility customers in Maine: homeowners and renters who receive services from regulated public utilities (electric, gas, water/sewer utilities where regulated as public utilities).
  • Public utilities operating in Maine: they must revise deposit practices to ensure they do not rely solely on a customer’s income to require a deposit.
  • Public Utilities Commission: small administrative role for oversight, enforcement, and possibly guidance or rule updates.

Fiscal impact

  • The official fiscal notes (approved 04/16/25 and 05/20/25) estimate a minor cost increase to the Public Utilities Commission. Those costs are expected to be minimal and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources (other special revenue funds).

Legislative timeline / status

  • Introduced: March 14, 2025 (referred to Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee)
  • Committee actions: Work sessions and amendments; Committee Amendment “A” (H-86) adopted
  • Passed both chambers: House votes on May 14, 2025 (Roll Call No. 141 — Yeas 77, Nays 63); Senate votes on May 20, 2025 (close roll call votes)
  • Enacted: Passed to be enacted May 22, 2025; Signed by the Governor May 23, 2025

Practical effect and considerations

  • Utilities that previously required deposits based solely on income must change that practice. The law does not, by its title, prohibit deposits based on other lawful factors (for example, credit history, prior nonpayment, or other risk-based criteria) unless specified in the enacted text.
  • Customers who believed they were being required to post deposits solely because of income should be able to challenge that requirement under the new law; the PUC would be the enforcement avenue.

If you would like, I can obtain the enacted bill text and provide a line-by-line explanation of any definitions, exceptions, or enforcement provisions included in the final statute.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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