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LD 2061

An Act To Clarify The Prohibition On Paper Billing Statement Fees

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Poppy Arford and 6 co-sponsors

Maine bill clarifies prohibition on charging fees for paper billing statements to ensure customers can access bills in preferred format without financial penalties.

Signed by Governor
#financialpractices #paperstatementfees #statements
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 2061

Legislative bill overview

LD 2061 clarifies Maine's existing prohibition on charging fees for paper billing statements. The bill appears to strengthen or provide clearer legal language around restrictions that prevent utility companies, financial institutions, or other service providers from imposing charges when customers request paper bills instead of electronic statements.

Why is this important

Many consumers prefer or require paper billing for accessibility, record-keeping, or other reasons. Without clear prohibitions, companies may charge fees to discourage paper billing use, effectively creating a financial penalty for customers who don't adopt digital options. Clarifying this prohibition ensures equitable access to billing information regardless of format preference.

Potential points of contention

  • Business cost arguments: Companies may argue that paper billing imposes genuine operational costs (printing, postage, processing) that should be recoverable, particularly for high-volume paper requests
  • Scope ambiguity: Disagreement over which industries/services are covered—utilities, insurance, financial institutions, healthcare providers, or all of the above
  • Digital equity vs. modernization: Tension between protecting consumers who cannot or will not use digital systems versus incentivizing the shift toward more efficient electronic communications

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

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