Maine LD2141 allocates unclaimed beverage container deposits to environmental and public defense services starting in 2026.

Maine LD2141 amends the laws governing unclaimed beverage container deposits to allocate funds starting October 1, 2026. It directs $2,000,000 annually to the Lake Water Quality Restoration and Protection Fund and the Maine Working Farmland Access and Protection Program. Additionally, it allocates $2,000,000 annually to the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services to support regional public defender office staffing beginning August 1, 2026. The cooperative must also include outreach efforts regarding refillable beverage containers in its annual report.

Maine LD2141 allocates unclaimed beverage container deposits to environmental and public defense services starting in 2026.

Maine LD2141 amends the laws governing unclaimed beverage container deposits to allocate funds starting October 1, 2026. It directs $2,000,000 annually to the Lake Water Quality Restoration and Protection Fund and the Maine Working Farmland Access and Protection Program. Additionally, it allocates $2,000,000 annually to the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services to support regional public defender office staffing beginning August 1, 2026. The cooperative must also include outreach efforts regarding refillable beverage containers in its annual report.