Legislative Bill Tracker
Our Students, Our Schools, Our Voice
Bills Signed into Law:
Part A and Part B Budgets:
- 55% State Funding for Public Schools: The Part A budget passed by the Democrats in March provided over $150 million more in state funding for pre-K to 12 public schools to maintain 55% state commitment to public schools.
- UMaine System and Public Higher Ed Funding: The Part B budget passed by the Democrats in June provided nearly $30 million more in state funding over the next two years for the Univ of Maine System and millions more in funding for the Community College System. The Univ of Maine System funding is directly related to the organizing efforts of the MEA leaders in the UMaine System – ACSCUM, AFUM and UMPSA. Together, these three locals worked together, like never before, to chart a common campaign. Our collaboration and organizing worked and while the University System still has major challenges ahead, especially given the proposed cuts from the federal level and the ongoing assault on public higher education.
- Free Meals for All Students: The budgets passed by the Legislature maintain the free meals for all students program in preK-12 public schools for the next two years.
LD 1327: An Act to Improve and Expand Student Teaching Opportunities in Maine by Compensating Student Teaching
Sponsor: Representative Holly Sargent
At the request of Student MEA members, MEA worked with Representative Holly Sargent on legislation to compensate undergraduate students in the teacher prep programs while they conduct the required student teaching component of the program. We were unable to find the resources to pay for the original version of the bill, so we had to turn the legislation into a study of ways we can encourage and improve student teaching. The University of Maine System is charged with convening stakeholders, including representatives from the MEA, and their findings will be reported to the Education Committee next year. The Education Committee can entertain a new bill to implement the recommendations of the study group.
Position: SUPPORT
Status: Passed as Amended. This bill was passed and became law without the Governor’s signature.
LD 858: An Act to Ensure Behavioral and Mental Health Services Are Available to Students by Providing Grants to Schools That Contract for Those Services
Sponsor: Representative Lori Gramlich
The bill requested $1.3 million in funding to provide grants to school districts to hire more mental health clinicians to work with students. However, given the challenging state budget picture we were only able to secure $100,000 to support this program but we will work next year to see if we can find a way to augment the funding available to help more students.
Position: SUPPORT
Status: Passed as Amended, held.
LD 1400 An Act to Exempt Certain Public School Districts and Their Employees from the Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Program
This bill exempts PFML for school all employees. The MEA opposes any effort to undo the Paid Family Medical Leave program, or to restrict school employees from accessing the program.
Position: OPPOSE
Status: This bill is dead
LD 470: Resolve, Directing the Department of Education to Review Teacher Mentoring Programs in Maine Public Schools
Sponsor: Senator Joe Rafferty
The amended version of LD 470 calls for the Dept of Education to study teacher mentoring programs and report back to the Education Committee next year with an assessment. The Committee will have the authority to report out a bill if potential improvements are identified.
Position: SUPPORT
Status: Passed as Amended, held.
LD 1097: An Act to Provide De-escalation and Behavior Intervention Training for School Personnel
Sponsor: Rep Kelly Murphy
The original legislation had two parts and a significant cost. The first part of the bill required a minimum number of hours of training regarding de-escalation tactics and professional development for behavior intervention. This was passed but was too costly and therefore had to be removed from the bill. However, the second section of the bill was passed and this includes a requirement that the Dept of Education to convene stakeholders to discuss best practices and professional development opportunities regarding de-escalation and behavior intervention. The Dept of Education should distribute the report to educators and the report is due to the Committee next year and the Committee could submit legislation if necessary to further the goals in the study.
Position: Support
Position: SUPPORT
Status: Passed as Amended, held.
LD 1248: An Act Regarding Physical Escort and Restraint and Seclusion of Students in Schools
Sponsor: Rep Holly Sargent
MEA worked with Maine School Management and other educational leaders to pass a revision to the state’s restraint and seclusion laws/rules that should provide educators with more tools and tactics to address challenging student behaviors. We expect administrators and school leaders will talk about this next school year and inform educators about the new rules.
Position: SUPPORT
Status: Passed as Amended, signed by the Governor.
Bills Carried Over:
LD 34: An Act to Increaste the Minimum Teacher Salary
Sponsor: Senator Teresa Pierce (D-Cumberland)
The bill increases the minimum teacher salary from the current $40,000 minimum salary to $45,000 beginning July 1, 2026, and increases the amount by $2500 each year until it reaches $52,500. This bill will cost $5 million in 2026/2027 and will need financial support for enactment.
Position: SUPPORT
Status: Passed as amended and placed on the Special Appropriations Table
LD 1219: An Act to Increase State Funding for the Campuses of the University of Maine System and to Raise the Minimum Hourly Wage for Employees of the System
Sponsor: Senator Michael Tipping
This bill addresses the financial challenges facing the University of Maine system by increasing the fiscal appropriation to UMS and setting a minimum wage of 125% of the state minimum wage for all UMS employees. The UMaine System saw a significant increase in state funding and the bill has been carried over and may be considered when legislators return in January of 2026.
Position: SUPPORT
Status: Enacted, placed on the Special Appropriations Table
LD 1123: An Act to Provide Funding for MaineCare-related Services for Public Schools
Sponsor: Rep Yusuf Yusuf
This bill looks to provide two positions to help school districts bill for MaineCare services provided by public schools with a cost of approximately $200,000. According to a recent study, Maine’s public schools often are not submitting reimbursement for reimbursable services – tens of millions of dollars in services could be reimbursable.
Position: SUPPORT
Status: Passed, placed on the Special Appropriations Table
LD 696: An Act to Bolster the Maine Teacher Residency Program
Sponsor: Senator Teresa Pierce
This bill, as amended, provides $500,000 of ongoing funding to support an innovative program through the UMaine System designed to train teachers using a residency model.
Position: SUPPORT
Status: Passed, placed on the Special Appropriations Table
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