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LD 1525

An Act To Promote Firewood Banks In Maine

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by David Boyer and 8 co-sponsors

Creates and promotes community firewood banks in Maine to expand wood-heat access for low-income, rural households, with DACF oversight and a minor, absorbable cost.

Signed by Governor
#assistance #heatingassistance #housing
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 1525

Summary — LD 1525: An Act To Promote Firewood Banks in Maine

Status: Signed by the Governor (May 30, 2025)
Introduced: April 8, 2025
Subject areas: Assistance; Heating Assistance; Housing

Purpose and intent

LD 1525 is intended to promote the establishment, operation and use of community "firewood banks" in Maine as an additional avenue of heating assistance. The stated aim is to increase access to wood fuel for households that rely on cordwood for winter heat, particularly low‑income and rural residents.

What the bill does (high level)

The available legislative record identifies the bill as establishing measures to promote firewood banks and places implementation responsibilities with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF). The legislative file shows the bill was amended by Committee Amendment “A” (H‑248) and that the engrossed/approved version was passed and enacted. The bill’s enrolled text is the authoritative source for exact statutory changes; that text was not included in the provided documents.

Because the full bill text was not provided here, specific elements such as definitions, grant or funding mechanisms, reporting requirements, or operational standards are not available in this summary. Typical provisions for bills of this type often include authorization for the state to:

  • Encourage or authorize DACF to provide technical assistance, guidance or standards for firewood banks;
  • Coordinate with community organizations, emergency agencies, and heating assistance programs;
  • Create or permit small grant or in‑kind support programs (staffing, training, outreach);
  • Establish safety, sourcing and forest‑stewardship guidance for wood collection/processing.

(Those programmatic elements are illustrative; consult the enrolled bill for exact language.)

Fiscal impact

  • Fiscal notes (approved 05/14/25 and 05/22/25) estimate a minor General Fund cost increase.
  • Any additional costs to DACF are expected to be minor and absorbable within existing budgeted resources.

Who is affected

  • Low‑income households and rural residents who use cordwood/wood heat.
  • Community organizations, faith‑based groups and nonprofits that operate or may establish firewood banks.
  • The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (administration, guidance and oversight responsibilities).
  • Existing heating assistance programs that could coordinate with firewood bank efforts.

Legislative timeline / procedural history

  • Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (4/8/2025).
  • Committee work sessions and amendment (Committee Amendment “A” H‑248 adopted; OTP‑AM reported).
  • Passed both chambers and enrolled (5/22–5/27/2025).
  • Signed into law by the Governor (5/30/2025).

Note

This summary is based on the bill title, legislative actions and fiscal notes provided. For precise statutory changes, eligibility criteria, funding mechanisms and program obligations, consult the enrolled/enacted bill text as published by the Maine Legislature.

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

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