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LD 674

An Act To Create A History Education And Learning Mobile Unit Within The Maine State Archives

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Joe Baldacci

Creates a temporary Maine State Archives mobile unit to deliver history education, funded by one-time General Fund costs through FY 2027.

Placed in the Legislative Files. (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 674

Summary: LD 674 — An Act To Create a History Education And Learning Mobile Unit Within The Maine State Archives

Overview

LD 674 aimed to establish a History Education and Learning Mobile Unit within the Maine State Archives. The core idea was to create a traveling educational unit to bring Maine history education directly to students, communities, and public programs, leveraging archival resources.

Key Provisions

  • Create a mobile unit housed within the Maine State Archives to deliver history education and learning experiences.
  • Staff the unit with two limited-period Archivist II positions.
  • Budget for manufacturing and related costs to establish the mobile unit, plus ongoing support.
  • The positions and related costs were set as time-limited, ending on June 30, 2027.
  • Funding was proposed as General Fund (one-time appropriations), with separate fiscal-year fiscal notes detailing the expected cost.

Fiscal Impact

The bill went through two fiscal notes with different cost projections:

  • Original Preliminary Fiscal Note (LD 674, LR 1766(01))

    • General Fund cost: $250,000 in FY 2025-26 and $250,000 in FY 2026-27
    • Purpose: Support two Archivist II positions and related All Other costs for a limited period; positions end 6/30/2027

  • Revised Fiscal Note (as amended by Committee, LD 674, LR 1766(02))

    • General Fund cost: $648,924 in FY 2025-26 and $217,445 in FY 2026-27
    • Purpose: Include manufacturing costs of the mobile unit and related All Other costs, in addition to staffing for a limited period; positions end 6/30/2027

Both notes indicate the funding would be one-time General Fund appropriations.

Affected Parties

  • Maine State Archives (creation and operation of the mobile unit)
  • Two Archivist II positions (staffing for the mobile unit)
  • Schools, students, and the public who would participate in history education programs
  • General Fund taxpayers, through state appropriations

Timeline and Status

  • Introduced: February 20, 2025
  • Committee: State and Local Government
  • Work Session: March 26, 2025
  • Reports and actions: May 2025 (including Majority Ought Not To Pass)
  • Final status: Placed in the Legislative Files as (DEAD) on May 14, 2025, indicating the bill did not advance into law.

Notes on Impact

  • If enacted, the bill would have created a temporary program to enhance history education via a mobile unit, with staffing and manufacturing costs funded by the General Fund through FY 2027.
  • Because the bill is dead, there is no active implementation or funding mechanism at this time. Reintroduction would be required to pursue similar objectives.

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

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