Maine Senate passes bill from Sen. Chip Curry to support local communities and strengthen housing development

AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, April 14, the Maine Senate enacted legislation sponsored by Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, that aims to help communities navigate the challenges of housing development more effectively, especially in smaller and rural towns. LD 2225, “An Act to Support Municipal Enforcement of Residential Construction Laws, Codes and Regulations,” now heads to the desk of Gov. Janet Mills.

“In many parts of Maine, especially in rural communities, we simply don’t have the staffing or resources needed to keep up with housing demand,” said Sen. Curry. “This bill is about supporting those communities, giving them the tools and flexibility they need to keep projects moving and making sure housing can be built safely and efficiently.”

LD 2225 would improve how building codes are applied and enforced across Maine, helping communities keep projects moving by strengthening local capacity and maintaining consistent safety standards.

As amended, the bill would strengthen 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 more predictability.

LD 2225 would also add 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. These construction methods can help reduce costs and speed up timelines, particularly in rural areas where labor and materials can be harder to access.

To support that work, the bill would invest 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.

In addition, LD 2225 would create a three-year pilot program to help communities explore regional approaches to code enforcement. By allowing municipalities to share staff and resources, the pilot aims 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 last week.

LD 2225 now awaits action from the Governor, who has 10 days to sign it into law, veto it or allow it to become law without her signature.

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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