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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1476H.P. 968 House of Representatives, April 3, 2025
An Act to Support Maine's Homeless Shelters by Imposing a Fee for
Booking Hotels, Short-term Rentals and Recreational Vehicle
Camping Reservations
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative COPELAND of Saco.
Cosponsored by Senator TALBOT ROSS of Cumberland and
Representatives: ARCHER of Saco, BRIDGEO of Augusta, DHALAC of South Portland,
GATTINE of Westbrook, LOOKNER of Portland, MALON of Biddeford, Senators: BEEBE-
CENTER of Knox, TIPPING of Penobscot. Page 1 - 132LR2392(01)1 acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
2 become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
3 the State has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of individuals
4 and families who are experiencing homelessness; and
5 the increase in the number of individuals and families experiencing
6 homelessness has placed an increased demand on the State's emergency shelters, and cities
7 in the State have experienced issues related to homeless encampments in public spaces;
8 and
9 a lack of adequate operations and resources has created a financial strain
10 on emergency shelters in the State, and many shelters are facing decisions related to scaling
11 back operations or closure without immediate assistance; and
12 in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
13 the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
14 immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
15 therefore,
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17 is enacted to read:
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19 As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the
20 following terms have the following meanings.
21 A. "Camping site" has the same meaning as in Title 33, section 589, subsection 3.
22 B. "Living quarters" has the same meaning as in Title 36, section 1752, subsection 6.
23 C. "Recreational vehicle" has the same meaning as in Title 10, section 1432, subsection
24 18-A.
25 Beginning January 1, 2026, a fee of $2 is imposed on the rental
26 of living quarters in a lodging place or the rental of a recreational vehicle camping site.
27 The revenue received from the fee imposed under
28 subsection 2 must be credited directly to the department to be used to fund initiatives that
29 support the operation of homeless shelters in the State.
30
31 takes effect when approved.
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33 This bill, beginning January 1, 2026, imposes a $2 fee on the rental of living quarters
34 in a lodging place or the rental of a recreational vehicle camping site. The revenue from
35 this fee must be credited to the Department of Health and Human Services to fund
36 initiatives that support the operation of homeless shelters in the State.
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