MaineMaine law includes gift cards in its retail merchandise definition
For one section of Maine law, retail merchandise includes gift cards and other valuable items retailers keep or offer for sale to consumers.
What it does
Gift cards count as retail merchandise under this section of Maine law. The definition also covers other valuable items retailers keep or offer for sale to consumers.
Argument forNaming gift cards directly could reduce disputes about whether they count as merchandise when retailers keep or offer them for sale.
Argument againstCovering stored goods could lead to disputes about which items a retailer holds for consumer sale, even when they are not displayed.
More detail
The law defines “retail merchandise” as valuable items retailers keep or offer for sale to consumers. The definition applies within section 363 of Maine’s criminal code. It includes gift cards, electronics, and other physical goods, but is not limited to those examples. Items must be displayed, held, stored, or offered by a retailer for retail sale to consumers.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 15Signed by Governor Janet MillsLatest
- Apr 13Subsequently, PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.Passed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 13On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table.
- 2025
- Jun 25CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
- Jun 2On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence
- Jun 2Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Jun 2PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Became Law
- Jun 2In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Jun 2The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-177).Minor
- Jun 2Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.
- Jun 2Committee Amendment "A" (S-177) was READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- Jun 2The Bill was READ ONCE.Minor
- Jun 2On motion of Representative HASENFUS of Readfield, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
- Jun 2Reports READ.
- May 29Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence
- May 29Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-177)Minor
- May 29Committee Amendment "A" (S-177) READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- May 29Bill READ ONCE.Minor
- May 29On motion by Senator BEEBE-CENTER of Knox The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED.
- May 29Reports READ
- May 28Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP
- May 1Voted - Divided Report
- May 1Work Session Held
- Apr 24In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 24The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY.Minor
- Apr 24Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrenceIntroduced
Criminal Justice