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LD 1778

An Act To Update Provisions Of The Maine Administrative Procedure Act

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Donna Bailey and 3 co-sponsors

Updates Maine Administrative Procedure Act to modernize rulemaking and public participation; agencies adjust procedures; minor General Fund costs absorbed within budgets.

Signed by Governor
#administrativeprocedure #rulemaking #stategovernment
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 1778

Summary — LD 1778: An Act To Update Provisions Of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act

Status: Signed by Governor (June 20, 2025)
Introduced: April 24, 2025
Committee: Judiciary (reported out OTP‑AM with Committee Amendment A (H‑749))
Subject: Administrative Procedure, Rulemaking, State Government

Purpose / Intent

LD 1778 is intended to modernize and clarify provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The bill’s stated aim (by title and legislative classification) is to update statutory rulemaking and administrative procedure provisions that govern how state agencies propose, adopt, and review rules and how the public participates in those processes.

What the legislative record shows (key facts)

  • Bill number: LD 1778.
  • Committee Amendment: Committee Amendment “A” (H‑749) was adopted in concurrence. The bill was passed to be engrossed as amended and subsequently enacted.
  • Final action: Signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.
  • Fiscal notes (two versions reflecting different amendment stages) conclude: “Minor cost increase - General Fund. Any additional costs to the various agencies impacted by the provisions of this bill are anticipated to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.”

Key provisions and changes (based on available documents)

The documents provided do not include the text of the bill or the committee amendment, so specific statutory changes cannot be quoted here. Based on the bill’s title and subject matter, LD 1778 likely includes one or more of the following types of updates common to APA revisions:
- Clarifications to rulemaking procedures (notice, filing, timing).
- Revisions to public participation or hearing requirements.
- Changes to standards for agency rulemaking, review or legislative oversight.
- Updates to administrative record, petition, or appeal processes.

Note: The precise revisions (section-by-section changes, new definitions, or procedural deadlines) are not available in the materials provided.

Who is affected

  • State executive branch agencies and boards that promulgate administrative rules.
  • Agency legal and rulemaking staff who implement APA procedures.
  • Individuals, businesses, and interest groups that participate in rulemaking (notice, comment, hearings).
  • Courts and administrative tribunals that review agency actions to the extent statutory standards change.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • Fiscal impact: Minor increase to the General Fund; agencies are expected to absorb any costs within existing budgets.
  • Administrative impact: Agencies may need to adjust internal rulemaking procedures, guidance, or training to comply with updated statutory requirements.

Procedural/timeline highlights

  • Referred to Judiciary: April 24, 2025.
  • Work session and vote (OTP‑AM): mid‑May 2025.
  • Passed both chambers with Committee Amendment A (H‑749): June 17, 2025.
  • Signed by Governor: June 20, 2025.
  • Effective date: Not specified in the provided documents.

Limitations / next steps

This summary is based on the bill title, legislative history, and fiscal notes supplied. The actual statutory text and Committee Amendment A (H‑749) were not included, so readers seeking precise legal changes or statutory language should consult the enrolled/engrossed bill text and the final public law enactment for section‑by‑section details.

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

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