STATE OF MAINE
NOTICE OF STATE AGENCY RULEMAKING
PUBLIC INPUT FOR RULES A list of state agency rule proposals is published here each Wednesday. You can get a copy of a proposed rule by contacting the person listed in the notice. You can comment on a proposed rule by submitting a written comment to the agency or by attending the public hearing, if one is scheduled. If no hearing is scheduled, you can request one. The agency must hold a hearing if it receives 5 or more requests. If you have a disability and need assistance to participate in a hearing, you should tell the agency at least 7 days before the hearing. ONLINE INFORMATION Weekly notices, full text of adopted rules, and a list of agency rulemaking contacts are available at this website:
https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/index.html
PROPOSALS
AGENCY: Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Employment Services
CHAPTER NUMBER AND RULE TITLE: 12-597 C.M.R. Ch. 2, Rule Governing the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSAL FILING NUMBER: 2026-P002
BRIEF SUMMARY: CSSP is intended to provide individuals with access to education, training and support leading to skilled, well-compensated jobs with anticipated high employment demand, to improve the economic well-being of the participants in the program and to provide employers with a skilled labor force. This Rule change is required by Maine PL 2025, Ch. 396, which required "The commissioner adopt rules in accordance... to provide for the approval of cohort-based education or training programs and eligibility for individuals participating in those programs.
PUBLIC HEARING: 2:00pm on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Hearing to be held at the Maine Department of Labor, Frances Perkins Conference Room, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330
COMMENT DEADLINE: Friday, February 20th, 2026, 5:00pm
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:
Dillon Murray
54 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333
207-530-1885
Dillon.f.Murray@maine.gov
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT (if different): N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any): N/A
AGENCY: Department of Education
CHAPTER NUMBER AND RULE TITLE: 05-071 C.M.R. Ch. 54, Grant Application and Award Procedure: Later Start Planning Grant
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSAL FILING NUMBER: 2025-P003
BRIEF SUMMARY: This rule governs the application for, and awarding of, funds from the Department of Education discretionary grants for planning for later start times. Grants are intended to assist in the financing of local initiatives.
PUBLIC HEARING: NA
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 27, 2026
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:
Laura Cyr at laura.cyr@maine.gov.
23 SHS
Augusta, ME 04333
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT (if different):
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any):
AGENCY: 02-502 Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Board of Complementary Health Care Providers
CHAPTER NUMBER AND RULE TITLE: 02-502 C.M.R. Ch. 6, Standards Relating to Prescriptive Authorities and Collaborative Relationship for Naturopathic Doctors
TYPE OF RULE: Major Substantive
PROPOSAL FILING NUMBER: 2026-P004
BRIEF SUMMARY: The rulemaking implements PL 2025, c. 150, directing the formulary subcommittee of the Board of Complementary Health Care Providers to update the formulary for naturopathic doctors. The board proposes to adopt and incorporate by reference the formulary classifications listed in the American Hospital Formulary Service Pharmacologic Therapeutic Classification System (AHFS)(2025) issued by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists, copyright © 2025. The rule provides that naturopathic doctors may prescribe medications, in accordance with their training and practice, from all formulary classifications in the AHFS, except those as excluded in the rule. The proposed rule also sets forth the requirements a naturopathic doctor must meet before ordering and using IV therapies. A copy of the proposed rule and the rulemaking forms may be accessed at https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/board-of-complementary-health-care-providers.
PUBLIC HEARING: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. EST, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, located at 76 Northern Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Individuals may also attend and participate in the public hearing remotely via Zoom. A link to attend and participate in the hearing remotely will be posted on the Board's webpage in advance of the hearing at https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/board-of-complementary-health-care-providers/home/board-meeting-information.
COMMENT DEADLINE: Saturday, February 21, 2026 by 5 p.m. EST. Comments may be submitted in writing: (1) by e-mail to Kristin Racine at kristin.racine@maine.gov or (2) by mail to the Board of Complementary Health Care Providers, 35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0035.
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:
Penny Vaillancourt, Director, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation
35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0035
207-441-7153
207-624-8637
TTY users call Maine Relay 711
Penny.Vaillancourt@maine.gov
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT (if different): N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any): N/A
AGENCY: Department of Marine Resources
CHAPTER NUMBER AND RULE TITLE: 13-188 C.M.R. Ch. 2, Aquaculture Regulations
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSAL FILING NUMBER: 2026-P005
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking would require a pre-application meeting for an experimental lease application prior to an experimental application being submitted to the Department. The proposed rule also updates the sourcing requirements for Limited Purpose Aquaculture (LPA) licenses to provide consistency with existing regulations, ensure that reliable sources of stock are available for each allowable species, and streamline the LPA sourcing framework. For LPAs, an approved hatchery, or facility would be the only authorized source of stock for hard clams, hen clams, Arctic surf clams, soft-shelled clams, razor clams, American oysters, European oysters, and bay scallops. The proposed changes also clarify that green sea urchins, sea scallops, marine algae, and blue mussels may be sourced either from an approved hatchery or facility or within the same Health Area as the LPA site. The proposed rule also provides a process for the Department to seek clarification from people who provide comments for experimental leases under certain circumstances. It also makes changes for clarity and consistency with existing law.
PUBLIC HEARING: February 9, 2026: 5:00 p.m. at DMR's Augusta office (Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom Lane, rm 118) and remotely via Microsoft Teams. If the February 9th hearing is cancelled due to inclement weather an alternate hearing will be held on February 11th at 6:00 pm in Room 118 of the same location, and remotely via Microsoft Teams. Remote access information is posted to DMR's website under "Meetings."
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 23, 2026
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:
Name: Deirdre Gilbert
Mailing Address: 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021
Telephone Number: 207-624-6553
Fax Number: 207-624-6024
TTY Number: 877-243-2823, TTY 711
Email Address: DMR.Rulemaking@maine.gov
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT: Same
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None
AGENCY: Department of Marine Resources
CHAPTER NUMBER AND RULE TITLE: 13-188 C.M.R. Ch. 32, Eel Regulations (Elver Quota System for the 2026 Season)
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSAL FILING NUMBER: 2026-P006
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking establishes the elver quota allocations for the 2026 season for individuals licensed under §§6505-A and 6302-A, and the method of calculating individual elver quota allocations for individuals licensed under §6505-A. The quota for the Passamaquoddy Tribe has been adjusted in accordance with their overage in the 2025 season. 2026 allocations for individuals who held a license in 2025 will be the same as their 2025 allocations, plus any quota associated with licenses not renewed in 2025, or licenses suspended for the duration of the 2026 season, in excess of that which is allocated to new license holders authorized through the lottery, which will be distributed evenly to all existing license holders.
PUBLIC HEARING: None Scheduled
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 20, 2026
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:
Name: Deirdre Gilbert
Mailing Address: 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021
Telephone Number: 207-624-6553
Fax Number: 207-624-6024
TTY Number: 877-243-2823, TTY 711
Email Address: DMR.Rulemaking@maine.gov
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT: Same
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None
AGENCY: Department of Marine Resources
CHAPTER NUMBER AND RULE TITLE: 13-188 C.M.R. Ch. 41, Menhaden (2026 Menhaden Season)
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSAL FILING NUMBER: 2026-P007
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking specifies effort restrictions for the state allocated menhaden fishery on and after the first Monday of September, annually. Open harvest days are Mondays and Thursdays only, with a daily trip limit of 7,000 pounds, except that pound net, stop seine and fish weirs may harvest seven days a week with a weekly landing limit of 14,000 pounds.
PUBLIC HEARING: February 10, 2026: 5:00 p.m. at DMR's Augusta office (Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom Lane, rm 118) and remotely via Microsoft Teams. If the February 10th hearing is cancelled due to inclement weather an alternate hearing will be held on February 11th at 5:00 pm in Room 118 of the same location, and remotely via Microsoft Teams. Remote access information is posted to DMR's website under "Meetings."
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 23, 2026
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:
Name: Deirdre Gilbert
Mailing Address: 21 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333
Telephone Number: 207-624-6553
Fax Number: 207-624-6024
TTY Number: 877-243-2823, TTY 711
Email Address: DMR.rulemaking@maine.gov
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT: Same
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None
STATE OF MAINE
NOTICE OF STATE AGENCY RULEMAKING
PUBLIC INPUT FOR RULES A list of state agency rule proposals is published here each Wednesday. You can get a copy of a proposed rule by contacting the person listed in the notice. You can comment on a proposed rule by submitting a written comment to the agency or by attending the public hearing, if one is scheduled. If no hearing is scheduled, you can request one. The agency must hold a hearing if it receives 5 or more requests. If you have a disability and need assistance to participate in a hearing, you should tell the agency at least 7 days before the hearing. ONLINE INFORMATION Weekly notices, full text of adopted rules, and a list of agency rulemaking contacts are available at this website:
https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/index.html
PROPOSALS
AGENCY: Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Employment Services
CHAPTER NUMBER AND RULE TITLE: 12-597 C.M.R. Ch. 2, Rule Governing the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSAL FILING NUMBER: 2026-P002
BRIEF SUMMARY: CSSP is intended to provide individuals with access to education, training and support leading to skilled, well-compensated jobs with anticipated high employment demand, to improve the economic well-being of the participants in the program and to provide employers with a skilled labor force. This Rule change is required by Maine PL 2025, Ch. 396, which required "The commissioner adopt rules in accordance... to provide for the approval of cohort-based education or training programs and eligibility for individuals participating in those programs.
PUBLIC HEARING: 2:00pm on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Hearing to be held at the Maine Department of Labor, Frances Perkins Conference Room, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330
COMMENT DEADLINE: Friday, February 20th, 2026, 5:00pm
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:
Dillon Murray
54 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333
207-530-1885
Dillon.f.Murray@maine.gov
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT (if different): N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any): N/A
AGENCY: Department of Education
CHAPTER NUMBER AND RULE TITLE: 05-071 C.M.R. Ch. 54, Grant Application and Award Procedure: Later Start Planning Grant
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSAL FILING NUMBER: 2025-P003
BRIEF SUMMARY: This rule governs the application for, and awarding of, funds from the Department of Education discretionary grants for planning for later start times. Grants are intended to assist in the financing of local initiatives.
PUBLIC HEARING: NA
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 27, 2026
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:
Laura Cyr at laura.cyr@maine.gov.
23 SHS
Augusta, ME 04333
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT (if different):
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any):
AGENCY: 02-502 Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Board of Complementary Health Care Providers
CHAPTER NUMBER AND RULE TITLE: 02-502 C.M.R. Ch. 6, Standards Relating to Prescriptive Authorities and Collaborative Relationship for Naturopathic Doctors
TYPE OF RULE: Major Substantive
PROPOSAL FILING NUMBER: 2026-P004
BRIEF SUMMARY: The rulemaking implements PL 2025, c. 150, directing the formulary subcommittee of the Board of Complementary Health Care Providers to update the formulary for naturopathic doctors. The board proposes to adopt and incorporate by reference the formulary classifications listed in the American Hospital Formulary Service Pharmacologic Therapeutic Classification System (AHFS)(2025) issued by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists, copyright © 2025. The rule provides that naturopathic doctors may prescribe medications, in accordance with their training and practice, from all formulary classifications in the AHFS, except those as excluded in the rule. The proposed rule also sets forth the requirements a naturopathic doctor must meet before ordering and using IV therapies. A copy of the proposed rule and the rulemaking forms may be accessed at https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/board-of-complementary-health-care-providers.
PUBLIC HEARING: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. EST, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, located at 76 Northern Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Individuals may also attend and participate in the public hearing remotely via Zoom. A link to attend and participate in the hearing remotely will be posted on the Board's webpage in advance of the hearing at https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/board-of-complementary-health-care-providers/home/board-meeting-information.
COMMENT DEADLINE: Saturday, February 21, 2026 by 5 p.m. EST. Comments may be submitted in writing: (1) by e-mail to Kristin Racine at kristin.racine@maine.gov or (2) by mail to the Board of Complementary Health Care Providers, 35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0035.
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:
Penny Vaillancourt, Director, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation
35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0035
207-441-7153
207-624-8637
TTY users call Maine Relay 711
Penny.Vaillancourt@maine.gov
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT (if different): N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any): N/A
AGENCY: Department of Marine Resources
CHAPTER NUMBER AND RULE TITLE: 13-188 C.M.R. Ch. 2, Aquaculture Regulations
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSAL FILING NUMBER: 2026-P005
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking would require a pre-application meeting for an experimental lease application prior to an experimental application being submitted to the Department. The proposed rule also updates the sourcing requirements for Limited Purpose Aquaculture (LPA) licenses to provide consistency with existing regulations, ensure that reliable sources of stock are available for each allowable species, and streamline the LPA sourcing framework. For LPAs, an approved hatchery, or facility would be the only authorized source of stock for hard clams, hen clams, Arctic surf clams, soft-shelled clams, razor clams, American oysters, European oysters, and bay scallops. The proposed changes also clarify that green sea urchins, sea scallops, marine algae, and blue mussels may be sourced either from an approved hatchery or facility or within the same Health Area as the LPA site. The proposed rule also provides a process for the Department to seek clarification from people who provide comments for experimental leases under certain circumstances. It also makes changes for clarity and consistency with existing law.
PUBLIC HEARING: February 9, 2026: 5:00 p.m. at DMR's Augusta office (Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom Lane, rm 118) and remotely via Microsoft Teams. If the February 9th hearing is cancelled due to inclement weather an alternate hearing will be held on February 11th at 6:00 pm in Room 118 of the same location, and remotely via Microsoft Teams. Remote access information is posted to DMR's website under "Meetings."
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 23, 2026
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:
Name: Deirdre Gilbert
Mailing Address: 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021
Telephone Number: 207-624-6553
Fax Number: 207-624-6024
TTY Number: 877-243-2823, TTY 711
Email Address: DMR.Rulemaking@maine.gov
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT: Same
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None
AGENCY: Department of Marine Resources
CHAPTER NUMBER AND RULE TITLE: 13-188 C.M.R. Ch. 32, Eel Regulations (Elver Quota System for the 2026 Season)
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSAL FILING NUMBER: 2026-P006
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking establishes the elver quota allocations for the 2026 season for individuals licensed under §§6505-A and 6302-A, and the method of calculating individual elver quota allocations for individuals licensed under §6505-A. The quota for the Passamaquoddy Tribe has been adjusted in accordance with their overage in the 2025 season. 2026 allocations for individuals who held a license in 2025 will be the same as their 2025 allocations, plus any quota associated with licenses not renewed in 2025, or licenses suspended for the duration of the 2026 season, in excess of that which is allocated to new license holders authorized through the lottery, which will be distributed evenly to all existing license holders.
PUBLIC HEARING: None Scheduled
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 20, 2026
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:
Name: Deirdre Gilbert
Mailing Address: 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021
Telephone Number: 207-624-6553
Fax Number: 207-624-6024
TTY Number: 877-243-2823, TTY 711
Email Address: DMR.Rulemaking@maine.gov
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT: Same
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None
AGENCY: Department of Marine Resources
CHAPTER NUMBER AND RULE TITLE: 13-188 C.M.R. Ch. 41, Menhaden (2026 Menhaden Season)
TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical
PROPOSAL FILING NUMBER: 2026-P007
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking specifies effort restrictions for the state allocated menhaden fishery on and after the first Monday of September, annually. Open harvest days are Mondays and Thursdays only, with a daily trip limit of 7,000 pounds, except that pound net, stop seine and fish weirs may harvest seven days a week with a weekly landing limit of 14,000 pounds.
PUBLIC HEARING: February 10, 2026: 5:00 p.m. at DMR's Augusta office (Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom Lane, rm 118) and remotely via Microsoft Teams. If the February 10th hearing is cancelled due to inclement weather an alternate hearing will be held on February 11th at 5:00 pm in Room 118 of the same location, and remotely via Microsoft Teams. Remote access information is posted to DMR's website under "Meetings."
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 23, 2026
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:
Name: Deirdre Gilbert
Mailing Address: 21 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333
Telephone Number: 207-624-6553
Fax Number: 207-624-6024
TTY Number: 877-243-2823, TTY 711
Email Address: DMR.rulemaking@maine.gov
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT: Same
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None
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