Bill > LD1904

This bill establishes the Municipal Shoreline Protection Legal Fund (MSPLF) within the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, designed to help municipalities cover legal expenses when pursuing significant shoreland zoning violations. The fund will be financed through public and private sources, with a requirement to maintain a minimum balance of $100,000, and will be administered by the office according to specific rules. Municipalities can request financial assistance from the fund to cover legal costs for what they consider egregious zoning violations, but must reimburse the fund within 6 months of settling or concluding their legal claim. The Governor is tasked with submitting annual funding recommendations to the Legislature, and the department will develop routine technical rules to govern the fund's operation. The bill includes an initial appropriation of $100,000 from the General Fund in fiscal year 2025-26 to establish the fund, ensuring municipalities have a financial resource to support legal actions protecting shoreline integrity.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1904&snum=132