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LD 318

An Act Regarding School Funding And General Purpose Aid For Local Schools

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michael Brennan

Directs MEPRI and DOE to update EPS cost-model parameters, run funding simulations, and seek stakeholder input to inform future Maine K-12 subsidies (within existing funds).

Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · LD 318

Summary — LD 318 (132nd Legislature, 2025)

Title: An Act Regarding School Funding And General Purpose Aid For Local Schools
Status: Signed by Governor (June 17, 2025)
Introduced: January 30, 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Brennan (Portland)
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs — Final action: Passed (with Committee Amendment "A" (H‑610)) and enacted

Purpose and intent

LD 318 directs the Maine Education Policy Research Institute (MEPRI) and the Department of Education (DOE) to review and recommend updates to the cost-model parameters used in the Essential Programs and Services (EPS) funding formula — the state model that underlies General Purpose Aid (state school subsidy) for local K–12 schools. The goal is to produce updated parameters and simulated impact analyses, and to solicit stakeholder input on those results, to inform future policymaking on school funding.

Key provisions

  • Directs MEPRI to:
    • Identify updated cost-model parameters for use in EPS funding simulations.
    • Solicit and incorporate stakeholder input on simulation results.
  • Directs the Department of Education to:
    • Use the updated parameters in simulating projected impacts on school funding (EPS/general purpose aid) and to participate in the stakeholder process.
  • The work is to be carried out under the statutory authority of MEPRI (Title 20‑A, §10), which is maintained under contract with the University of Maine System.

(Note: The enacted measure was considered and passed with Committee Amendment "A" (H‑610). The text of the amendment is not summarized here.)

Fiscal impact and implementation

  • MEPRI work is expected to be funded from existing appropriations: a standing General Fund allocation of $250,000 per year to support the Education Research Institute (included in the Learning Systems Team program account in DOE). Fiscal notes assume the review and related activities can be completed within the FY2025‑26 funding already enacted (Public Law 2025, ch. 2), so LD 318 does not require additional General Fund appropriations for MEPRI.
  • Additional DOE costs to run simulations are expected to be absorbable within existing departmental resources.
  • Fiscal notes: Reviewed and approved (February–June 2025); final fiscal note indicates "review to be completed within budgeted resources."

Who is affected

  • Primary: Maine Education Policy Research Institute and Department of Education (tasked with review, simulation, and stakeholder outreach).
  • Indirect/Potentially affected: Local school administrative units (districts), students, educators, and Maine taxpayers — because any future adjustments to EPS parameters could change state subsidy distribution and local funding responsibilities.
  • Policymakers: Legislature and executive branch officials who will receive MEPRI’s recommendations and simulation results for consideration in future funding decisions.

Procedure and timeline highlights

  • Referred to Education and Cultural Affairs on January 30, 2025.
  • Work session and committee action in spring 2025; reported out as OTP‑AM and Committee Amendment "A" adopted.
  • Finally passed by the Legislature on June 11, 2025; signed by the Governor on June 17, 2025.
  • No detailed statutory deadline for completion is specified in the fiscal notes provided; however, fiscal documentation anticipates the work will be completed within the FY2025‑26 budget cycle and within existing appropriations.

Potential impact

  • The bill itself directs analysis and consultation rather than changing the EPS formula immediately. Its primary effect is to produce updated cost parameters, stakeholder feedback, and simulated impact studies that could lead to legislative or administrative changes to school funding in subsequent sessions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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