An Act To Update Certain Higher Education Statutes
This bill updates Maine's higher education laws to allow the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor to confer a Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology degree. The key provision adds a new section to the college's existing Private and Special Law, explicitly authorizing it to grant this specific degree. The change directly affects the College of the Atlantic by expanding its degree-granting authority to include this new program. This update aligns the college's legal status with similar institutions that offer comparable degrees.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 7, 2026
Signed Apr 3, 2026
Floor votes · House Mar 17, 2026
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
30
Key actions
10
Committee
8
Apr 3, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED.
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-853) READ and ADOPTED.
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
On motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED in concurrence.
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-853) was READ and ADOPTED.
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
lower
Mar 17, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (65-62-7)
house
Mar 13, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP
legislature
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS in concurrence
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered printed.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Holly Sargent
DDemocratic
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