Governor signs Sen. Chip Curry bill to support local communities and strengthen housing development

AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, April 16, the Governor signed into law legislation sponsored by Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast. The bill, LD 2225, “An Act to Support Municipal Enforcement of Residential Construction Laws, Codes and Regulations,” aims to help communities navigate the challenges of housing development more effectively, especially in smaller and rural towns.

“I’m very glad to see that this legislation has been signed by the Governor,” said Sen. Curry. “There are many parts of the state, particularly in rural areas, where we simply don’t have the resources needed to keep up with the demand for housing. This bill will ensure those communities receive the support and guidance needed to keep housing projects moving forward safely and efficiently.”

LD 2225 strengthens training and support for local code enforcement officers, including training on newer forms of housing such as modular and industrialized construction. This helps ensure that projects are reviewed consistently across communities, reducing delays and giving builders and homeowners a higher level of predictability.

LD 2225 also adds a statewide standard for off-site and modular construction to Maine’s building code, making it easier for these types of homes to be reviewed and approved by local officials. To support that work, the bill invests in local community code enforcement capacity by increasing dedicated funding for code enforcement and establishing new staff positions within the Maine Office of Community Affairs to provide technical assistance to municipalities.

Additionally, LD 2225 creates a three-year pilot program to help communities explore regional approaches to code enforcement. The pilot allows municipalities to share staff and resources between them in an effort to address workforce shortages and improve consistency, particularly in smaller towns that may not have full-time code enforcement staff, ensuring those communities aren’t left behind when it comes to housing development. Funding for this pilot program was included in the supplemental budget passed by the Legislature earlier this month.

LD 2225 will go into effect 90 days after the adjournment of the Legislature.

Sen. Curry is serving his third term in the Maine Senate, representing all of Waldo County. He serves as the Senate chair of the Housing and Economic Development Committee and sits on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.

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