Sen. Chip Curry bill to examine housing construction barriers advances with unanimous, bipartisan support

AUGUSTA — On Thursday, May 1, a bill from Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, to establish a working group studying the impact of building codes and other construction regulations on Maine’s housing supply received unanimous, bipartisan support from the Joint Standing Committee on Housing and Economic Development.

“Maine needs more housing, and we need it to be safe, affordable and available in every part of the state,” said Sen. Curry. “This bill brings together the people who understand the nuts and bolts of building — engineers, planners, builders and safety experts — to take a fresh look at the rules we have on the books. If outdated or unnecessary regulations are making homes harder to build, we should know about it and do something about it.”

LD 1375, “Resolve, to Establish a Working Group to Address Regulatory Barriers to Housing Construction,” would bring together engineers, builders, code officials, planners and other experts to review how current building codes and permitting rules impact the cost and feasibility of new housing. The goal is to identify outdated or unnecessary regulations and recommend updates that reflect modern materials, technologies, and safety standards.

As amended by the committee, the bill would task the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF) with convening and supporting the group. GOPIF would appoint a chair and conduct the study within existing resources, meaning no new funding is needed. All other parts of the bill remain unchanged from the original version.

A recent report from The Pew Charitable Trusts highlights how outdated or overly rigid construction codes, like requiring two stairwells in small apartment buildings, can drive up housing costs or limit design options, even when modern safety features could offer equivalent protection.

The working group’s report would be due by December 31, 2025, positioning the Legislature to act on its findings next session.

LD 1375 now faces votes in the Senate and House.

Sen. Curry represents District 11, which includes all of Waldo County.

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