Resolve, to Establish a Pilot Project to Improve Access to Credit for Low-income Individuals
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1107
Committee: Labor and Housing
Sponsors: ZAGER, ARATA, BLIER, CLOUTIER, GERE, ZEIGLER, TIPPING

Legislative Document
No. 1107
H.P. 703
House of Representatives, March 9, 2023
Resolve, to Establish a Pilot Project to Improve Access to Credit for 
Low-income Individuals
Reference to the Committee on Labor and Housing suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative ZAGER of Portland.
Cosponsored by Representatives: ARATA of New Gloucester, BLIER of Buxton, CLOUTIER 
of Lewiston, GERE of Kennebunkport, ZEIGLER of Montville, Senator: TIPPING of 
Penobscot.
Sec. 1. Maine State Housing Authority to conduct 2-year rent payment 
reporting pilot project. Resolved:  That the Maine State Housing Authority shall 
develop and administer through a contract with an appropriate vendor a 2-year pilot project 
to facilitate rent payment history reporting to credit reporting agencies for purposes of 
establishing or improving the credit ratings of low-income residential tenants through 
voluntary participation of residential landlords and tenants in the State in submitting rent 
payment histories of tenants. The project may not charge a fee to a landlord or a tenant for 
participation in the program. The Maine State Housing Authority shall seek to enroll as 
many residential tenants as possible who are persons of low income in the State and who 
broadly represent the various regions of the State, including urban, suburban and rural 
areas. For purposes of this section, "persons of low income" has the same meaning as in 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, section 4702, subsection 12.
Sec. 2. Maine State Housing Authority to issue a request for proposals. 
Resolved:  That the Maine State Housing Authority shall issue a request for proposals for 
a vendor to provide an automated subscription-based service to collect, process and submit 
to appropriate credit reporting agencies rent payment histories collected under the pilot 
project described in section 1. The request for proposals must favor proposals that provide 
value in services delivered per unit cost, equity and impartiality in its processes, compliance 
with federal and state laws and privacy protections for pilot project participants.
Sec. 3. Report. Resolved:  That by December 3, 2025, the Maine State Housing 
Authority shall submit a report on the pilot project detailing the effectiveness of collecting 
and reporting rent payment histories and analysis of any improvement in the credit ratings 
of tenant participants along with any recommended legislation to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over labor and housing. The joint standing 
committee may report out legislation based upon the report to the Second Regular Session 
of the 132nd Legislature.
Sec. 4.  Appropriations and allocations.  Resolved:  That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made.
HOUSING AUTHORITY, MAINE STATE
Rent Payment Reporting Pilot Project N428
Initiative: Provides one-time funds for contracting services and subscription fees necessary 
to implement and administer the pilot project.
GENERAL FUND
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$250,000
$0
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$250,000
$0
SUMMARY
This resolve requires the Maine State Housing Authority to implement and administer 
a 2-year pilot project to collect and report tenant rent payment histories to appropriate credit 
reporting agencies with the purpose of improving the credit ratings of low-income 
residential tenants. The resolve includes a one-time appropriation of $250,000 to contract 
with a vendor and pay subscription costs to implement and administer the project.