Transportation

This bill mandates that all school buses in Maine, including older models, must be equipped with a crossing arm and requires operators to activate it whenever the bus is stopped to pick up or drop off students. The law establishes a Class E crime for failing to use the crossing arm when required and imposes a minimum two-year revocation of the operator's school bus endorsement as a penalty. By making these safety measures mandatory, the legislation aims to improve child safety during student transportation without changing other aspects of school bus operations.

This bill requires state-financed transportation construction projects costing $500,000 or more, starting after January 1, 2026, to meet safety and connectivity standards. It mandates identifying unsafe conditions for pedestrians and cyclists (like missing sidewalks or inadequate bike lanes), consulting with local municipalities about transportation connections, and adjusting speed limits in high-risk areas to reduce crashes. Projects must also design facilities meeting ADA accessibility standards and integrate with local transportation networks, including public transit. The bill prioritizes state funding for projects supporting walkable neighborhoods, mixed land use, and community input, while exempting emergency repairs from these requirements.

LD 487 directs Maine's Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority to apply for federal funding in 2025 to identify a rail corridor connecting Portland to Orono via Auburn, Lewiston, Waterville, and Bangor as an intercity passenger rail corridor. The bill requires the Authority to use the federal corridor identification program under 49 U.S. Code § 25101(a) to formally designate this route. It specifically targets the 2025 funding application window to meet federal deadlines. This resolution affects the Rail Authority's actions and the future planning of passenger rail service in this corridor.

This bill adjusts state budget allocations for highway and other special funds, specifically reducing capital expenditures funding by $2 million from the Highway Fund and Other Special Revenue Funds for fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, and 2027. It directly affects state highway infrastructure projects that rely on these funds for capital spending. The bill streamlines funding by consolidating allocations from multiple sources to support state government operations through 2027. It does not create new policies but modifies existing budget distributions for fiscal planning.