An Act to Promote Artisans and the Creative Economy
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1462
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: HEPLER, BEEBE-CENTER
Amends: 30-A MRSA §3015

Legislative Document
No. 1462
H.P. 954
House of Representatives, April 3, 2025
An Act to Promote Artisans and the Creative Economy
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative HEPLER of Woolwich.
Cosponsored by Senator BEEBE-CENTER of Knox and
Representatives: BRENNAN of Portland, CARLOW of Buxton, CROCKETT of Portland, 
DILL of Old Town, MORRIS of Turner.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  30-A MRSA §3015 is enacted to read:
§3015.  Regulation of vending of expressive matter
1.  Expressive matter defined.  For the purposes of this section, "expressive matter" 
means materials or objects created by a vendor with expressive content, including written 
material, such as newspapers, books or writings, and including visual art, such as paintings, 
prints, photography or sculpture. "Expressive matter" includes the activity of performance 
artists whether or not the artist seeks a monetary donation. "Expressive matter" does not 
include materials or objects that are essentially commercial in content, any expression that 
is related solely to the economic interests of the speaker and its audience and expression 
that does no more than propose a commercial transaction. 
2.  Municipal ordinances; permissible restrictions.  A municipality may not adopt 
or enforce any ordinance or regulation that prohibits the vending of expressive matter, 
except that a municipality may adopt restrictions regulating the time, place and manner of 
the vending of expressive matter if the restrictions are:
A. Directly related to health, safety or welfare concerns;
B. Necessary to ensure the public's use and enjoyment of natural resources and 
recreational opportunities; 
C.  Necessary to prevent an undue concentration of commercial activity that 
unreasonably interferes with the scenic and natural character of a park owned or 
operated by the municipality; 
D. Limitations on hours of operation that are not unduly restrictive; 
E. Necessary to maintain sanitary conditions; or 
F. Necessary to ensure compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 
1990 and other disability access standards.
3. Existing ordinance or regulation. This section may not be construed to require a 
municipality to adopt a new ordinance or regulation pertaining to the vending of expressive 
matter if the municipality has an existing ordinance or regulation that substantially 
complies with the requirements in this section.
SUMMARY
This bill provides that a municipality may not adopt or enforce any ordinance or 
regulation that prohibits the vending of expressive matter, except a municipality may adopt 
restrictions regulating the time, place and manner of the vending of expressive matter if the 
restrictions meet certain conditions.  "Expressive matter" is defined as materials or objects 
created by a vendor with expressive content, including written material, such as 
newspapers, books or writings, and visual art, such as paintings, prints, photography or 
sculpture.