AUGUSTA – The Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee voted Thursday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Tiffany Roberts, D-South Berwick, that would protect Maine consumers by establishing a licensing requirement for general contractors.
“After collaborating with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division and key stakeholders, we've crafted legislation that would require residential contractors to be licensed while exempting neighborhood handymen and commercial builders,” said Roberts. This carefully balanced approach will provide meaningful protection for Maine families without burdening small-scale service providers. Mainers deserve the assurance that when making a significant financial decision such as renovating a home, their contractors are qualified, properly insured and legally accountable.”
LD 1226 would require residential contractors engaged in projects over $15,000 to be licensed. The license would include certain education requirements that many contractors already satisfy. Additionally, the bill would provide the Attorney General’s Office with enforcement tools, such as license suspension and penalties for contractors who violate license requirements.
Since 2020, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division has received 3,299 complaints against home construction contractors. Fifty-three of those complaints were received in the time between the public hearing on the bill on April 17 and the work session on Thursday.
The bill faces votes in the House and Senate in the coming weeks.
Roberts is serving her fourth term representing House District 149, which includes portions of North and South Berwick. She serves as House chair of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee and is a member of the Housing and Economic Development Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Roberts) | 305-965-2744