Committee unanimously supports Sen. Carpenter bill to allow tiny homes to flourish

On Thursday, Feb. 6, the Legislature’s Transportation Committee unanimously supported LD 1981, “An Act Regarding the Regulation of Tiny Houses” from Sen. Mike Carpenter, D-Houlton, which defines tiny homes in Maine statute and allows them to be titled through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. 

LD 1981 ensures that tiny homes can be built and sold in Maine, reversing a previous mandate issued from the Secretary of State in June 2019, which banned issuing titles and registrations for tiny homes.

“I’m glad committee members see the wisdom in allowing the tiny home industry to grow,” said Sen. Carpenter. “People are interested in owning them, so we should foster that and welcome the new jobs this industry can bring to the County.”

An amendment adopted on Thursday by the Transportation Committee added an emergency clause, so LD 1981 would go into effect immediately upon becoming law. The amendment also allows for transit permits under certain circumstances, such as moving the tiny home from the location of purchase.

LD 1981 now goes to the Maine Senate and House for further votes.