Sen. Beebe-Center celebrates new laws taking effect

Posted: July 29, 2026 | Senator Beebe-Center

AUGUSTA — Today, Sen. Pinny Beebe-Center, D-Rockland, is celebrating new laws taking effect after being passed by the Legislature earlier this year, including:

  • LD 2224, “An Act to Reduce Certain Costs Associated with Residential Construction,” which will make housing more affordable for Maine people by cutting unnecessary regulations that drive up construction and housing costs.
  • The Millionaire’s Tax included in the Supplemental Budget, which asks the highest earners among us to contribute their fair share with and using the new revenue to expand property tax relief.
  • LD 2129, “An Act to Prohibit Liens on Principal Residences and Wage Garnishments for Medical Debt,” which stops debt collectors from taking away your home or wages because of outstanding medical expenses.
  • LD 468, “An Act to Address Food Insecurity by Helping Maine Residents Access Locally Produced Food,” which will help Maine residents stretch their SNAP dollars further and access locally produced food through investments in nutrition incentive programs like Farm Fresh Rewards and Maine Harvest Bucks.

Sen. Beebe-Center is also applauding funding included in the Supplemental Budget to help school districts retrofit older school buses with crossing arms and anti-pinch door sensors. Sen. Beebe-Center testified in support of LD 2159, “An Act to Require School Buses to Be Equipped with and to Use School Bus Crossing Arms,” which sought to strengthen safety protections for students as they board and exit school buses.

“As lawmakers, our responsibility is to listen when Maine people show us where our systems are falling short and then do something about it,” said Sen. Beebe-Center. “No family should risk losing their home because someone got sick, no Mainer should go hungry and no parent should have to wonder whether their child is safe getting on and off the school bus. These measures are meaningful steps toward making our state safer and more affordable for everyone.”

This year, Sen. Beebe-Center returned to Augusta to lower everyday costs, protect Maine’s future and defend Mainers’ fundamental rights and freedoms

As non-emergency legislation, LDs 2224, 2129, 468 and the Supplemental Budget took effect on July 29, 90 days after the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature adjourned. 

Sen. Beebe-Center is serving her second term in the Maine Senate, representing the communities of Appleton, Camden, Cushing, Friendship, Hope, Matinicus, North Haven, Owl’s Head, Rockland, Rockport, South Thomaston, St. George, Thomaston, Union, Vinalhaven and Warren. She is the Senate chair of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee and a member of the State and Local Government committee.

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