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LD 377

An Act To Establish A University Of Maine Medical School And To Dedicate Funds From Raising The Cigarette Tax To The School

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Joe Baldacci and 2 co-sponsors

Proposes a University of Maine medical school funded by cigarette tax revenue, shaping state health workforce and taxpayer dollars; currently DEAD.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 377

LD 377 — Summary

Overview

LD 377 is an act titled “An Act To Establish A University Of Maine Medical School And To Dedicate Funds From Raising The Cigarette Tax To The School.” The bill proposes creating a University of Maine medical school and designating cigarette tax revenue to fund the school. As introduced in 2025, the bill progressed through committee process but is currently marked as DEAD under Joint Rule 310.3.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a University of Maine medical school within the University of Maine System.
  • Dedicate or earmark funds from increases or changes to the cigarette tax to support the medical school’s establishment, operations, or ongoing funding (specific allocation mechanisms are not provided in the available summary).

Key Provisions (as inferred from the title)

  • Creation of a medical school affiliated with the University of Maine System.
  • Designation of cigarette tax revenue as a dedicated funding source for the medical school.
  • Possible implementation details (governance structure, start-up timeline, accreditation, and funding allocation) are not specified in the provided material; the bill text would be needed for precise provisions.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • University of Maine System and the prospective medical school (administration, faculty, students).
  • Maine taxpayers and cigarette tax contributors (funding implications through earmarked revenue).
  • Maine health care workforce and regional health systems, contingent on the school’s establishment and growth.

Procedural History and Timeline

  • Introduced: February 4, 2025.
  • February 4, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs; printed and ordered sent forthwith.
  • March 10, 2025: Work session held; voted ONTP (Ought Not To Pass).
  • March 17, 2025: Reported Out — ONTP.
  • March 18, 2025: Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) under Joint Rule 310.3.

Fiscal and Budgetary Considerations

  • The central fiscal feature is the dedication of cigarette tax revenue to fund the medical school. Specific funding amounts, earmarking mechanisms, duration of diversion, and interactions with general fund appropriations are not detailed in the provided information.

Current Status and Next Steps

  • Status: DEAD (no current path to enactment without a new or revised bill).
  • Future action: A future bill could reintroduce the concept with different language, funding mechanics, or governance details. Any revival would require moving through committee and the legislative process again.

Note: The summary reflects information provided here. The actual bill text would specify detailed provisions, governance, timelines, and funding allocations.

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

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