An Act Regarding The Department Of Transportation

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Lydia Crafts

LD 304 aimed to revise the Maine Department of Transportation’s powers; but it died, so no changes to DOT authority or procedures became law.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)

#powers #provisionsrevised #transportationdepartment

Overview

Bill Number: LD 304

Title: An Act Regarding The Department Of Transportation

Sponsor: Rep. Crafts of Newcastle

Committee: Transportation

Introduced: January 30, 2025

Status: Dead (Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3, Placed in Legislative Files)

LD 304 is described as an act that would revise the powers of the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT). The available materials do not include the bill text, so specific provisions are not disclosed here beyond the stated general aim to revise DOT powers.

Purpose and Scope

Declared purpose: To revise the powers of the Department of Transportation.

Documented subject: Powers and provisions revised for the transportation department.

Fiscal note status: Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement indicated as a concept draft with insufficient data; no fiscal note required.

Because the bill text is not provided in the materials, the exact changes to DOT authority, procedures, funding, procurement, oversight, or program responsibilities are not detailed in the summary.

Procedural History and Timeline

January 30, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Transportation; ordered printed.

May 14, 2025: Work session held; voted ONTP (Ought Not To Pass).

May 20, 2025: Reported Out — ONTP.

May 22, 2025: Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3, placed in Legislative Files (DEAD).

March 21, 2025: Carried over to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, per Joint Order SP 519.

Overall status: The bill did not advance and is listed as dead.

Fiscal Impact

Fiscal note: Preliminary, with a concept-draft level of detail; insufficient data to determine a final fiscal impact.

Sponsor/Committee note: No fiscal note required for the original bill.

Due to the lack of bill text and the ONTP recommendation, precise fiscal effects on state budgets, DOT operations, or related programs are not specified.

Potential Impact and Stakeholders

Who would be affected: The Maine Department of Transportation, state government operations, contractors and vendors engaged with DOT programs, and the public indirectly through any changes to DOT powers (e.g., procurement, project authorization, oversight, or regulatory authority).

Implications of the dead status: With no enacted changes, current DOT powers and procedures would remain in place unless later legislation revises them.

Notes for Readers

ONTP indicates the Transportation Committee recommended against advancing the bill to a floor vote, and the bill died in process.

The available information does not provide the exact provisions or statutory changes proposed by LD 304. For a complete understanding, the full bill text and any fiscal analyses would be required.

If reintroduced in a future session, similar language or revised provisions could reappear, subject to legislative committee review and votes.

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