Maine LD228: An Act to Allow Coastal Seawalls to Be Raised by up to 2 Feet in Order to Accommodate Predicted Sea Level Rise

What the bill says

An Act to Allow Coastal Seawalls to Be Raised by up to 2 Feet in Order to Accommodate Predicted Sea Level Rise Emergency preamble.

From the introduced text:

An Act to Allow Coastal Seawalls to Be Raised by up to 2 Feet in Order to Accommodate Predicted Sea Level Rise Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and Whereas, the State in 2023 and 2024 experienced multiple significant storm events causing widespread and devastating floods and damaging public and private infrastructure across the State with particular impact along the coast, which experienced historically high and dangerous tides; and Whereas, with an ever-increasing frequency of such storm events and a projected rise in sea levels and the associated risks to persons, property and resources, the citizens of the State must be able to enhance the resilience of public and private infrastructure to the effects of these storms; and Whereas, the changes to the Natural Resources Protection Act proposed in this legislation must take effect immediately to facilitate the timely development of certain coastal resiliency projects; and Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §480-E, sub-§15, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 97, §1, is amended to stabilization …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Robert Foley (R, 145) · primary sponsor
• Donna Bailey (D, 31)
• Mark Blier (R, 138)
• Richard Campbell (R, 19)
• Lori Gramlich (D, 131)
• Joseph Martin (R, 19)
• Richard Mason (R, 97)
• Michael Soboleski (R, 73)

Latest actions

1. May 27, 2025: PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.
2. May 27, 2025: This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3. May 21, 2025: Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-164) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-164), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.
4. May 20, 2025: CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-164).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
5. March 21, 2025: Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
6. January 16, 2025: Received by the Clerk of the House on January 16, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

Common questions

What is LD228?

LD228 is a bill in the Maine Legislature (132nd Legislature): An Act to Allow Coastal Seawalls to Be Raised by up to 2 Feet in Order to Accommodate Predicted Sea Level Rise.

What does LD228 do?

In its own words: An Act to Allow Coastal Seawalls to Be Raised by up to 2 Feet in Order to Accommodate Predicted Sea Level Rise Emergency preamble.

What is the status of LD228?

Signed into law as of May 29, 2025. Latest action: PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence. (May 27, 2025).

Who sponsored LD228?

Robert Foley (R, 145), with 7 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for LD228?

On the Maine Legislature website: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=228&snum=132