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LD 513

An Act To Allow The Spouse Of A School Board Member To Serve As A Stipend Employee Within The School Board'S Jurisdiction

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mathew McIntyre and 5 co-sponsors

Allows a school board member's spouse to be hired as a stipend employee within the board's district; projected no fiscal impact, but the bill ultimately died in 2025.

Placed in the Legislative Files. (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 513

Summary of LD 513 (An Act To Allow The Spouse Of A School Board Member To Serve As A Stipend Employee Within The School Board's Jurisdiction)

Overview

LD 513 proposes to authorize the spouse of a school board member to serve as a stipend employee within the school board’s jurisdiction. The bill was introduced in the 132nd Maine Legislature (Feb. 7, 2025) and was sponsored by Sen. Moore of Washington. It went through the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. The Fiscal Note for the bill indicated no anticipated fiscal impact. As of May 2025, the bill was placed in the Legislative Files and is listed as “DEAD.”

Purpose and Intent

  • The core intent is to permit a school board member’s spouse to be employed as a stipend employee within the same school board’s jurisdiction.
  • The text provided does not specify the exact roles, categories of stipends, or accompanying eligibility or oversight requirements.

Key Provisions (as disclosed)

  • Allowance: The bill would authorize a spouse of a school board member to serve as a stipend employee within the school board’s jurisdiction.
  • Scope and specifics: The available documentation does not include detailed provisions on which positions qualify, compensation amounts, hiring procedures, conflicts of interest safeguards, term limits, or disclosure requirements.

Fiscal Impact

  • Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement: No fiscal impact.
  • Fiscal Note (LR1260(01)): Approved March 18, 2025; states “No fiscal impact.”
  • Implication: The analysis suggests the proposal would not have net costs or savings to the state or school districts based on the available note, though full legislative drafting details could alter that assessment if provided.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: The school board member and their spouse.
  • Indirect: School districts within the jurisdiction of the affected school board and, potentially, taxpayers who fund stipends and personnel costs.
  • The bill’s application could raise considerations around conflicts of interest and governance norms, depending on how provisions are drafted (not detailed in the provided text).

Legislative History and Status

  • 2025-02-07: Referred to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs.
  • 2025-03-21: CARRIED OVER to the next session per Joint Order SP 519.
  • 2025-04-17: Work Session Held; 2025-04-30: Reported Out as ONTP/OTP.
  • 2025-05-06: Majority Ought Not To Pass Report ACCEPTED; Roll Call 137 (Yeas 18, Nays 15, Excused 2).
  • 2025-05-07: Reports READ; Majority Ought Not to Pass Report ACCEPTED; LD 513 placed in the Legislative Files (DEAD).
  • Status: DEAD; no further action anticipated in the current session based on this record.

Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • Initial referral: Feb 7, 2025.
  • Work sessions and committee reports occurred between March and May 2025.
  • The bill did not advance past the committee/house action stage in the documented session and was ultimately placed in the Legislative Files as dead.

Potential Implications and Considerations

  • If revived or reintroduced, the bill would likely require clarifications on:
    • Which positions qualify as stipend roles.
    • Hiring processes and nepotism/conflict-of-interest safeguards.
    • Caps or limits on compensation relative to district budgets.
    • Disclosure requirements for related-party employment.
  • Policymakers may weigh concerns about governance, transparency, and potential impact on personnel decisions within school districts.

Note

All information reflects the documented actions and fiscal notes for LD 513 as of May 2025. The bill did not become law.

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

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