ME LD757

Establishes a 17-member Commission to Study the Role of Water as a Resource in the State of Maine, including legislators from both parties, tribal representatives from Maine's federally recognized nations, state agency officials, and stakeholders representing commercial water bottlers, municipal utilities, agricultural interests, and environmental organizations

Commission must review the prior 2021 water study report and develop recommendations on public water data access, drought preparedness, groundwater rights and ownership laws, PFAS contamination protection, and large-scale groundwater extraction regulations

Requires the Maine Public Drinking Water Commission to adopt major substantive rules governing the transfer of permits or contracts when entities that export water extracted in Maine are sold, with proposed rules due by November 1, 2025

Commission report with findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation due to the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation by December 3, 2025

Quorum of 9 members required to start meetings; Legislative Council provides staffing support except during legislative sessions