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LD 445

An Act To Stimulate Housing Production By Increasing The Threshold Before Participation In The Maine Uniform Building And Energy Code Is Mandatory

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Amy Arata and 6 co-sponsors

LD 445 would raise the threshold for mandatory MUBEC compliance, easing costs for small housing projects and accelerating early development.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#economicdevelopment #planning #uniformbuildingandenergycode
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Bill Summary · LD 445

Summary: LD 445 — An Act To Stimulate Housing Production By Increasing The Threshold Before Participation In The Maine Uniform Building And Energy Code Is Mandatory

Overview

LD 445 seeks to stimulate housing production by increasing the size or scope threshold at which compliance with the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC) becomes mandatory. By delaying mandatory participation for smaller projects, the bill aims to reduce regulatory burden and potentially accelerate housing development.

  • Bill number: LD 445
  • Official title: An Act To Stimulate Housing Production By Increasing The Threshold Before Participation In The Maine Uniform Building And Energy Code Is Mandatory
  • Primary sponsor: John Ducharme (Madison)
  • Message: Intended to adjust the threshold for MUBEC applicability to facilitate housing production
  • Status: DEAD (Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3; placed in Legislative Files)
  • Introduced: February 4, 2025
  • Committee: Housing and Economic Development
  • Related LR: LR 998(01)

Purpose and Intent

  • The core intent is to reduce regulatory requirements for smaller or early-stage housing projects by delaying when MUBEC becomes mandatory.
  • By increasing the threshold, the bill seeks to lower upfront compliance costs and timelines for certain developments, with the goal of boosting overall housing production.

Key Provisions (as described in available material)

  • Raises the threshold at which participation in MUBEC becomes mandatory.
  • Applies to projects that would otherwise trigger mandatory MUBEC compliance under current law; the bill would shift or delay that trigger.
  • The precise new threshold and mechanisms for determining applicability are not specified in the provided materials.
  • The bill does not appear to create new funding or revenue provisions.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Housing developers, builders, and property owners proposing smaller-scale residential projects.
  • Local permitting authorities and building officials who administer MUBEC compliance.
  • Prospective homebuyers or renters who are affected indirectly through changes in project costs and timelines.

Fiscal Implications

  • Preliminary Fiscal Note: No fiscal impact identified.
  • The fiscal note was approved February 20, 2025.
  • Given the ONTP (ought not to pass) status, any potential fiscal changes were not advanced in the legislative process.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Referred to: Committee on Housing and Economic Development on February 4, 2025.
  • Concurrence actions: Sent for concurrence and ordered forthwith on February 4, 2025.
  • Work session: March 6, 2025.
  • Committee action: Voted ONTP (Ought Not To Pass) on March 6, 2025.
  • Reported out: March 19, 2025, as ONTP.
  • Final status: March 20, 2025, placed in Legislative Files under Joint Rule 310.3 (DEAD).

Sponsorship

  • Primary: John Ducharme
  • Co-sponsors: Mark Cooper, Mark Blier, Susan Bernard, Amy Arata, Dean Cray, Jennifer Poirier

Takeaway

LD 445 would have increased the threshold for mandatory MUBEC participation to stimulate housing production by reducing regulatory burdens on smaller projects. The bill did not advance in the legislative process and remains dead under the current session, but it illustrates policy interest in balancing building energy code requirements with housing development objectives.

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

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