Education (Higher Education)

signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 46: An Act To Establish A Grant Program To Increase Postsecondary Educational Opportunities For Students With Intellectual Or Developmental Disabilities Or Autism Spectrum Disorder

This bill establishes Maine's Inclusive Higher Education Grant Program, which provides funding to colleges and universities to develop programs supporting students with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, or autism spectrum disorder. The program awards competitive grants to institutions to create inclusive higher education opportunities, requiring them to design "program plans" that mirror standard college experiences for students without disabilities. Institutions must meet federal standards for transition programs under the Higher Education Act, and the Department of Health and Human Services will administer the grants, including outreach and application support. The bill directly affects Maine's public and private colleges/universities and students with qualifying disabilities seeking postsecondary education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant program funding inclusive higher education for students with disabilities, expanding access and supporting special education initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

failed · Maine · House Jun 3, 2025

LD 1255: An Act To Ensure In-State Tuition For Postsecondary Students Who Are Registered To Vote In The State And To Amend Eligibility Requirements For The Free Community College Tuition Program

LD 1255 ensures that Maine students registered to vote in the state are eligible for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities, provided they meet standard residency requirements (like living in Maine for a period or graduating from a Maine high school). It also updates the free community college program to require students to either be Maine high school graduates or have lived in Maine for at least two years before enrollment. The bill does not change tuition amounts but clarifies who qualifies for in-state rates and free community college, affecting students seeking higher education in Maine. Family members of qualifying students may also be eligible for in-state tuition.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access by ensuring in-state tuition eligibility for Maine-registered voters and updating free community college requirements to include Maine residents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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failed · Maine · House May 6, 2025

LD 1118: An Act To Establish A Permanent Free Community College Program For Maine

LD 1118 establishes Maine's permanent Free Community College Program, which waives tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Maine residents enrolled in associate degree, diploma, or certificate programs at Maine community colleges. To qualify, students must reside in Maine during enrollment, accept all available federal and state financial aid, and pursue a program lasting up to twice the standard completion time. The Maine Community College System must submit annual reports to the Governor and relevant legislative committees starting in 2027, detailing program status and enrollment. This bill directly affects Maine residents pursuing career-focused postsecondary education by removing financial barriers to community college access.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationWaives tuition/fees for community college, expanding access and funding for higher education through permanent free program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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failed · Maine · Senate May 13, 2025

LD 1533: An Act To Ensure The Retention Of R1 Research Institution Status By The University Of Maine

This bill (LD 1533) provides $2.686 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year and $5.372 million for 2026-27 to fund 25 additional graduate research assistants annually at the University of Maine. The funding supports hiring graduate students as research or teaching assistants in research-focused graduate programs until they complete their degrees. This directly affects the University of Maine System's ability to maintain its R1 research institution status, which requires sustained investment in graduate research capacity. The key mechanism is the annual allocation to support these student positions, a requirement for retaining the R1 classification.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $2.686M and $5.372M for University of Maine research funding, directly advancing state budget allocation for essential public education programs to maintain R1 status.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $8M+ in funding for graduate research assistants at University of Maine to maintain R1 status, directly strengthening higher education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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failed · Maine · Senate May 20, 2025

LD 1833: An Act To Expand Law Education And Training By Creating A Night Law School Program

LD 1833 requires the University of Maine System and University of Maine School of Law to create a night-time juris doctor (JD) program at the University of Maine in Orono by the 2028-2029 academic year. The program will allow students to earn a law degree primarily through online classes and evening in-person sessions, targeting working professionals or those with daytime commitments. The universities must submit a report on program planning to the Education Committee by November 4, 2026. This bill directly affects the University of Maine System, the law school, and future law students seeking flexible education options.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access by creating a flexible night law program for working professionals, directly advancing educational opportunity within the topic's scope.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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signed · Maine · Senate May 23, 2025

LD 895: An Act To Support Immersive Outdoor Education By Establishing The Outdoor School For All Maine Students Program

LD 895 establishes the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program, providing immersive outdoor education for grades 4-8 in publicly funded schools starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The program, administered by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service, provides grants to outdoor education providers to partner with schools, prioritizing historically underserved communities including rural schools, students of color, English language learners, and those qualifying for free/reduced lunch. It requires curricula focused on Maine's natural resources, science, sustainability, and hands-on learning in outdoor settings, with grants ensuring annual participation for the same grade level. The bill directly affects Maine public school students in grades 4-8 and outdoor education providers partnering with school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant-funded outdoor education program for grades 4-8, prioritizing underserved schools and students, expanding educational access and resources.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes outdoor education program focused on conservation and natural resources, prioritizing environmental learning in underserved communities per its subjects and summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

signed · Maine · House Apr 16, 2026

LD 1705: An Act Regarding Adult Education Funding And Oversight

LD 1705 permanently establishes Maine's Career Advancement and Navigation Program, replacing a temporary pilot, to provide adult education students with academic support, college transition assistance, career planning, and resource referrals through dedicated coordinators at each community college campus. The bill requires the Department of Education to annually assess adult education funding needs, submit detailed reports to the Legislature, and justify any unspent funds. It also mandates biennial stakeholder input from program directors, instructors, professional associations, and students to shape funding priorities and program improvements. This legislation directly affects adult education programs statewide, including workforce development, English language acquisition, and high school equivalency initiatives, by securing 100% state funding for these services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPermanently establishes adult education program with dedicated coordinators and annual funding assessments, enhancing access and support for adult learners.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 681: An Act Regarding Public Higher Education Funding In The State

This bill requires the Maine Legislature to annually increase state funding for the Maine Maritime Academy by 5% until its state appropriation covers at least the same percentage of operating costs as either the University of Maine System or Maine Community College System. It establishes a 15-member commission to review all state higher education funding policies, analyze current and past funding methods, and recommend changes by December 2025. The commission includes legislators, education experts, union representatives, student members, and system leaders, with instructions to consider expanding access to affordable higher education. The bill directly affects all three public higher education systems in Maine and mandates annual reports on operating costs from each system starting in 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 5% annual state funding increases for Maine Maritime Academy until full cost coverage, directly increasing public higher education appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates 5% annual funding increases for Maine Maritime Academy until funding parity with other systems, and creates commission to review higher education funding policies, directly advancing state investment in public higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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failed · Maine · House Apr 8, 2025

LD 642: An Act To Provide Students In The University Of Maine System Who Are Parents Or Pregnant Individuals Priority Registration For Courses

LD 642 requires the University of Maine System to give enrolled parents or pregnant students priority in course registration to help them schedule classes around child care needs. The bill mandates that university trustees distribute informational flyers and posters about this priority to all students, with posters displayed in campus locations and on each campus website. This policy directly affects parents and pregnant individuals enrolled in the University of Maine System's colleges and universities. The law creates a concrete administrative requirement for the university system to implement and communicate this registration priority.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides priority course registration for parent/pregnant students to improve scheduling access, directly enhancing educational access for a vulnerable student group in higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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failed · Maine · Senate May 6, 2025

LD 1285: An Act To Prohibit The Consideration Of Legacy Preferences Or Donor Preferences In Postsecondary Educational Institution Admissions

LD 1285 prohibits Maine's public and private postsecondary educational institutions from considering "legacy preferences" (favoring applicants based on family members who graduated) or "donor preferences" (favoring applicants based on family donations) during admissions decisions. The bill directly affects all Maine colleges and universities, banning these specific practices in their admission processes. It allows institutions to still ask about family relationships for data collection purposes and to consider applicants' personal experiences related to such connections in their essays. This law creates a clear policy change by removing two common admissions factors while preserving limited data-gathering and personal narrative elements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBans legacy/donor preferences in admissions, promoting equitable access to higher education by removing barriers for underrepresented students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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