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LD 536

An Act To Establish Net Neutrality

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Christopher Kessler

Maine passes LD 536 to establish net neutrality, prohibiting blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization by ISPs to protect equal access for residents and businesses.

Became Law without Governor's Signature
#businesspractices #internet #netneutrality
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Bill Summary · LD 536

LD 536 — "An Act To Establish Net Neutrality"

(132nd Maine Legislature)

Summary / Purpose

LD 536, sponsored by Rep. Kessler of South Portland and referred to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology, is titled "An Act to Establish Net Neutrality." Its stated purpose is to create statutory protections related to net neutrality within Maine. The bill was passed by the Legislature as amended and became law without the Governor’s signature on June 22, 2025.

Legislative status & timeline

  • Introduced: February 11, 2025
  • Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology (work sessions and divided reports in May 2025)
  • Key amendments: Committee Amendment "A" (H‑439) and House Amendment "A" (H‑506) to that committee amendment. The bill was enacted as amended.
  • Floor action: House roll-call (June 4, 2025) — Yeas 79, Nays 66. Passed to be enacted (concurrence) June 9, 2025.
  • Enacted: Became law without Governor’s signature — June 22, 2025.
  • Sponsor: Rep. Kessler (South Portland)

Fiscal impact

  • Multiple fiscal notes (preliminary and for successive amended versions) state: No fiscal impact. (Fiscal notes approved: 02/13/25, 05/19/25, 06/04/25, 06/06/25.)

What the bill does (high-level)

The provided materials do not include the full statutory text of LD 536, so the specific statutory language and exact enforcement mechanisms are not in these documents. From the bill title and legislative classification (BUSINESS PRACTICES; INTERNET; Net Neutrality) and typical state net neutrality statutes, LD 536 is intended to establish protections governing how internet service providers (ISPs) handle consumer access to internet content and services.

Common elements typically found in state net neutrality laws (may or may not be present in LD 536 — read the enrolled law for exact language):
- Prohibitions on blocking lawful content, applications, services, or nonharmful devices.
- Prohibitions on throttling (intentionally degrading or slowing lawful internet traffic).
- Prohibitions on paid prioritization (creating fast lanes for certain content in exchange for payment).
- Definitions of covered services (fixed broadband, mobile service, managed services) and covered providers (ISPs operating in-state).
- Enforcement provisions (state Attorney General and/or a state regulatory body authority to investigate, seek penalties, or obtain injunctive relief).
- Potential private right of action or consumer remedies (if included).
- Preemption/compatibility language addressing federal regulation or conflicts, and severability clauses.

Who is affected

  • Internet service providers operating in Maine (ISPs, mobile broadband providers).
  • Maine residents and businesses that subscribe to internet access (consumers of broadband and mobile data services).
  • Content, application and service providers (indirectly, by affecting traffic management practices).
  • State enforcement entities (Attorney General and/or public utility or consumer protection agencies), depending on enforcement provisions.

Practical impact & considerations

  • If consistent with other state net neutrality statutes, the law would limit discriminatory traffic management and commercial practices by ISPs within Maine, potentially preserving unfettered access for consumers and small online services.
  • Implementation and enforcement may require rulemaking or administrative actions by state authorities (if the law authorizes them).
  • The law could prompt compliance changes by ISPs and possible legal challenges concerning federal preemption, depending on its final text and federal regulatory context.

Recommendation / Next steps

To understand the precise obligations, prohibitions, enforcement mechanisms, and any exceptions or definitions in LD 536, consult the enrolled law (final statutory text) as enacted with Committee Amendment "A" (H‑439) and House Amendment "A" (H‑506). That text will show the exact legal changes and any effective date or transition rules.

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

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