Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the State of Maine to issue up to $100 million in bonds to fund infrastructure improvements across all campuses of the University of Maine System. The funds are intended to upgrade classrooms, laboratories, and residence halls to increase student enrollment, enhance success rates, and better meet the needs of local employers. The legislation requires that these bond proceeds be matched by private and other non-state funds and mandates that the projects align with existing university capital plans. Before the money can be spent, the bill must be approved by voters in a statewide referendum held after the legislation is passed. If approved, the bond issue becomes effective 30 days after the Governor proclaims the results of the vote.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a new, separate Department of Child and Family Services in Maine to manage child welfare operations. It authorizes funding for approximately 20 new staff positions, including a commissioner and various support roles, to run the department's central office. The legislation also adjusts the effective dates for these changes to the 2025 fiscal year and updates references to the legislative session.
Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $500,000 from the Federal Expenditures Fund to the Department of Transportation for a specific rail project. The funds are designated to replace tracks on a 31-mile corridor between Fryeburg and Standish, based on recommendations from the Mountain Division Rail Use Advisory Council. This one-time appropriation is intended to support the physical repair of the rail infrastructure rather than ongoing operational costs.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the State of Maine to issue up to $4 million in bonds to compensate the Gulf of Maine Research Institute for the loss in value of Union Wharf in Portland Harbor. The funds are designated to pay for an independent real estate appraisal and to restrict the wharf's use to marine-dependent industries such as commercial fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing, with a requirement that at least 35% of berthing space be reserved for fishing and aquaculture vessels. The legislation includes strict financial controls, such as a ten-year limit on the bonds and a requirement that any unspent money be used to retire other state debt. Crucially, the bill does not take effect unless it is approved by a majority of voters in a statewide referendum held after the bill is passed.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends an existing outdoor education program to require providers to follow state licensing rules for guides and trip leaders. Specifically, it mandates that anyone leading outdoor school activities in Maine must hold the appropriate licenses for guides, youth camp leaders, or educational trip leaders as defined by state law. The change ensures that all participants in the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program are supervised by qualified, licensed professionals.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends an existing act to transfer $160,575 from the Medical Use of Cannabis Fund to the Department of the Attorney General. The funds will create one part-time, limited-term Assistant Attorney General position dedicated to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Health Inspection Program. This change is intended to support health inspection efforts within the Department of Health and Human Services from September 2024 through June 2026.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the State of Maine to issue up to $35 million in bonds to fund the completion of a green energy materials building at the University of Maine. The legislation outlines the process for selling these bonds, managing the resulting funds, and ensuring they are used exclusively for the construction project. Before the funds can be spent, the bill must be approved by Maine voters in a statewide referendum held after the law is passed. If approved, the project proceeds under the supervision of the University of Maine System, with any leftover money after construction going toward paying off other state debt.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends a previous proposal to fund a pilot project aimed at addressing staffing shortages in Maine's Child Protective Services system. It specifically directs the Department of Health and Human Services to use $60,000 from the General Fund to finance a public recruitment campaign. The amendment also updates the legislative session dates and report deadlines to reflect the 132nd Legislature.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to change how it pays nursing facilities operated by the Maine Veterans' Homes, requiring reimbursement based on a daily rate per resident rather than a fixed amount. The new rules mandate that these payments cover the total allowable operating costs for residents receiving state benefits and must include an annual adjustment for inflation to maintain funding levels. To support these changes, the legislation appropriates specific funds from the state general fund and federal sources for the 2024-25 fiscal year to ensure the homes receive the necessary financial resources.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates June 28, 2024, as Maine Acadian Day to honor the history and cultural contributions of Acadians and Franco-Americans in the state. The measure acknowledges the legacy of French settlers who established the first European community in Maine and endured the forced deportation of the Acadian people in the 18th century. By officially recognizing this date, the legislature aims to celebrate the significant role these communities play in Maine's heritage, particularly in the Saint John Valley region.