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LD 733

An Act To Make Changes To The Law Based On A Pilot Project Conducted By The Maine State Housing Authority Regarding Efforts To Improve Access To Credit For Low-Income Renters

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rick Bennett and 3 co-sponsors

LD 733 requires MSHA to document and report on a pilot to improve low-income renters' access to credit, guiding future policy changes; small reporting cost to MSHA.

Signed by Governor
#housing #low-incomerenters #rentalhousing
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Bill Summary · LD 733

Summary — LD 733 (132nd Maine Legislature)

Title: An Act To Make Changes To The Law Based on a Pilot Project Conducted by the Maine State Housing Authority Regarding Efforts To Improve Access To Credit For Low‑Income Renters
Sponsor: Rep. Zager (Portland)
Status: Signed by Governor (May 29, 2025)
Introduced: February 25, 2025
Committee: Housing and Economic Development

Purpose and intent

LD 733 implements legislative follow‑up to a Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA) pilot project that tested ways to improve low‑income renters’ access to credit. The enacted measure requires MSHA to document the pilot’s design, outcomes and lessons and to submit a report to the Legislature so that lawmakers can consider statutory or policy changes informed by the pilot.

Key provisions

  • Requires the Maine State Housing Authority to prepare and submit a report on the pilot project to improve access to credit for low‑income individuals (the enacted vehicle is a Resolve).
  • The report obligation (as engrossed with Committee Amendment “A” (H‑236)) is the primary substantive requirement created by the bill.
  • No new ongoing funding or programmatic mandates are placed on third parties within the bill as enacted; the bill focuses on study/documentation and reporting.

(Note: The final engrossed language is a Resolve requiring the report; the original concept draft intended to make law changes based on the pilot but the enacted measure centers on reporting.)

Who is affected

  • Maine State Housing Authority: tasked with preparing and submitting the required report; will incur minor administrative costs.
  • Low‑income renters: indirect beneficiaries — the report could lead to future statutory or program changes designed to improve credit access.
  • Legislature and state agencies: will receive the report and may use it to craft future policy or law changes affecting rental housing, credit reporting practices, landlord screening, or related programs.

Fiscal impact

  • Fiscal notes (approved 05/01/25 and 05/22/25) indicate a minor cost increase to MSHA to prepare and submit the report. These costs can be absorbed within MSHA’s existing budgeted resources. A preliminary fiscal note (02/27/25) had insufficient data.

Legislative timeline / procedural history (highlights)

  • Feb 25, 2025: Introduced and referred to Housing and Economic Development Committee.
  • Apr 29, 2025: Committee work session; Committee voted OTP‑AM (recommend Ought to Pass as Amended).
  • May 22, 2025: Committee Amendment “A” (H‑236) adopted; bill passed to be engrossed as amended; placed on Consent Calendar.
  • May 27, 2025: Finally passed (in concurrence).
  • May 29, 2025: Signed by the Governor and enacted.

Likely impact and next steps

The immediate outcome is an MSHA report that should clarify the pilot’s findings and provide actionable recommendations. Any statutory or program changes to improve low‑income renters’ access to credit would require subsequent legislation or administrative action informed by that report. Fiscal effects are minimal and confined to MSHA’s reporting workload.

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

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