Bill
LD 965
Automatically repeals most Maine MAPA agency rules unless renewed by the Legislature; rules pre-2026 repeal in 2030, post-2026 rules after 5 years, with renewal option.
LD 965 — An Act To Require the Automatic Repealing Of Agency Rules
Overview
LD 965 proposes a built-in sunset mechanism for Maine agency rules. Under the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, it would automatically repeal most agency rules unless renewed, with separate timelines for rules adopted before and after January 1, 2026. The bill was introduced March 6, 2025 and is currently listed as DEAD (placed in Legislative Files). A fiscal note accompanies the bill, indicating increased administrative costs for the Secretary of State and executive agencies to manage automatic repeals and renewal processes.
Key Provisions
- Automatic repeal timeline
- Rules adopted on or before January 1, 2026: automatically repealed on January 1, 2030.
- Rules adopted after January 1, 2026: automatically repealed 5 years from the date of final adoption.
- Advance notice requirement
- The Secretary of State must notify each agency at least 18 months before the scheduled repeal date.
- Renewal options
- Agencies may submit to the Legislature requests to renew rules and extend their life for an additional 5 years (i.e., avoid repeal).
- Scope
- Applies to agency rules adopted under the Maine Administrative Procedure Act (MAPA).
Fiscal and Administrative Impact
- The bill would increase costs for the Secretary of State and all executive-branch agencies to administer automatic repeal schedules, provide advance repeal notices, and process renewal requests.
- Fiscal notes (LR 2103) indicate a future biennial cost increase, with no specific dollar amounts provided in the summaries available. The administrative burden centers on tracking repeal dates, issuing notices, and managing renewals.
Who is Affected
- Secretary of State: responsible for administering repeal notices and maintaining repeal timelines.
- Executive-branch agencies: must monitor rule status, consider renewal requests, and plan for potential repeal.
- Legislature: would review renewal requests to extend specific rules beyond their automatic repeal date.
- General public and regulated entities: potential changes in regulatory stability and the timing of rule efficacy.
Procedural History and Status
- Referred to: State and Local Government Committee (March 6, 2025).
- Work session: May 7, 2025; divided report considered May 7, 2025.
- Reports: May 28, 2025 (ONTP/OTP-AM); May 29, 2025 (Roll Call No. 246, Yeas 112, Nays 30, Absent 9, Excused 0); concurrence sent.
- Final Committee action: Majority Ought Not To Pass Report accepted (June 2, 2025).
- Legislative status: Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) on June 2, 2025.
- Fiscal notes: Approved May 9, 2025 (both LR 2103(01) and LR 2103(02)).
Notes for readers
- This bill represents an omnibus sunset mechanism intended to reduce the long-term reliance on potentially outdated or duplicative regulations, contingent on renewals. As introduced and amended, it would impose systematic repeal timelines unless rules are renewed by the Legislature. The measure did not advance in the 132nd Legislature and is currently inactive.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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