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LD 1751

An Act To Improve The Growth Management Program Laws

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rick Bennett and 7 co-sponsors

Updates Maine’s Growth Management Program laws to modernize land-use and housing regulation, affecting towns, developers, and DACF, with only minor fiscal impact.

Signed by Governor
#growthmanagementprogramlaws #housing #regulation
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Bill Summary · LD 1751

Summary — LD 1751: An Act To Improve The Growth Management Program Laws

Status: Signed by Governor (06/20/2025)
Introduced: 04/22/2025
Sponsor: Rep. Roberts of South Berwick
Committee: Housing and Economic Development
LR Numbers: LR 1666(01) / LR 1666(02) / LR 1666(03)
Subjects: Growth management program laws, housing, regulation

Purpose / Intent

The bill’s stated purpose (from the title and legislative references) is to revise and improve Maine’s Growth Management Program laws. The goal is to update statutory frameworks that guide how growth, land use, and housing are managed and regulated across municipalities and state programs. The bill was considered by the Housing and Economic Development Committee and enacted as amended.

What is known about key provisions

The available documents for this summary do not include the full statutory text of the enacted language. The legislative history shows that the bill was amended by Committee Amendment “A” (H‑766) and passed the Legislature in that amended form. To review the specific changes to statutes (added, amended or repealed language), consult the enrolled bill text or the Maine Legislature’s website using LD 1751 / LR 1666.

Affected parties

  • State agencies: The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is specifically referenced in fiscal notes and would have implementation responsibilities; any incremental administrative duties are expected to be minor.
  • Municipalities: Local governments that administer land use, comprehensive planning, and growth management programs are likely to be affected where statutory standards, reporting, or compliance requirements are changed.
  • Housing developers, planners and other regulated entities: Changes to growth management statutes typically affect permitting, plan consistency, and housing-related regulatory frameworks.
  • General public: Indirect effects may include changes in housing availability, development patterns, or municipal planning requirements depending on the bill’s substantive text.

Fiscal impact

  • Preliminary Fiscal Note (04/29/2025): No fiscal impact.
  • Subsequent Fiscal Notes (06/04/2025 and 06/18/2025) for amended versions: Minor cost increase to the General Fund. Any additional DACF costs are expected to be minor and absorbable within existing budgeted resources.

Legislative timeline / procedural history (highlights)

  • 04/22/2025: Introduced and referred to Housing and Economic Development.
  • 05/27/2025: Work session; committee issued a divided report.
  • 06/17–06/18/2025: Committee Amendment “A” (H‑766) read and adopted; bill passed both chambers (reported ONTP/OTP‑AM with divided vote; motions and concurrence recorded).
  • 06/20/2025: Signed by the Governor and enacted.

Notes and next steps

  • The summary above is based on the legislative metadata, fiscal notes, and action history provided. The specific statutory changes and their direct legal effects are contained in the enrolled/engrossed bill text as amended by H‑766. For detailed language and to determine the effective date and implementation requirements, consult the final enrolled bill LD 1751 (as amended) on the Maine Legislature website or contact the bill sponsor/committee staff.

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

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