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LD 1336

An Act To Establish The Maine-Aomori Sister-State Advisory Council

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Amanda Collamore and 8 co-sponsors

Establishes the Maine–Aomori Sister-State Advisory Council to guide exchanges; no ongoing General Fund cost, admin by DECD, funding only from external sources.

Became Law without Governor's Signature
#maine-aomoriadvisorycouncil #planning #stategovernment
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Bill Summary · LD 1336

Summary — LD 1336: An Act To Establish The Maine‑Aomori Sister‑State Advisory Council

Status: Held by the Governor (as of 2025-07-08)
Introduced: March 27, 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Sato (Gorham)
Committee: Housing and Economic Development

Purpose / Intent

LD 1336 creates a formal advisory council to support and guide a sister‑state relationship between the State of Maine and Aomori Prefecture (Japan). The council is intended to promote cultural, educational and economic exchanges and to advise the State on activities, partnerships and policies related to the Maine–Aomori sister‑state relationship. Administration and support for the council are assigned to the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).

Key provisions (as reflected in available legislative and fiscal documents)

  • Establishes the Maine‑Aomori Sister‑State Advisory Council (text of specific membership, duties and reporting requirements not included in the fiscal documents reviewed).
  • Directs DECD to provide administrative support for the council.
  • Funding/appropriation language was amended during the legislative process (see Fiscal Impact and Amendments below).

Fiscal impact

Three fiscal notes were produced during the bill’s consideration:

  • Preliminary fiscal note (approved 04/01/25; LR 871(01)) and an amended fiscal note (05/05/25; LR 871(02)) both estimated an ongoing General Fund appropriation of $20,000 per year beginning in FY 2025‑26 to DECD to support the council.
  • A later fiscal note reflecting Senate Amendment to Committee Amendment (approved 06/23/25; LR 871(04)) eliminated the $20,000/year General Fund appropriation and instead provided an ongoing Other Special Revenue Funds base allocation of $500 per year beginning in FY 2025‑26. That change authorizes the expenditure of funds only if money is received from outside sources to support the council.

Net effect of the final amendment: no ongoing General Fund cost; a $500/year Other Special Revenue Fund authorization to permit spending if external receipts are received.

Who is affected

  • Department of Economic and Community Development: assigned administrative/support role.
  • State budget: originally would have incurred a $20,000/year GF cost; final amendment removes that GF appropriation.
  • External partners (municipalities, educational institutions, businesses, cultural organizations, and Aomori Prefecture) who may participate in sister‑state activities — council activity will depend largely on availability of external funding under the final amendment.

Legislative timeline / procedural history (highlights)

  • 03/27/25: Bill introduced and referred to the Committee on Housing and Economic Development.
  • 05/01/25: Committee work session; committee voted OTP‑AM (recommended ought to pass as amended).
  • 05/22/25 and 05/27/25: Passed both chambers to be engrossed as amended by Committee Amendment A (H‑234).
  • 06/25/25: Senate adopted Committee Amendment A as further amended by Senate Amendment A (S‑472); passed both chambers as amended.
  • 07/08/25: Status recorded as Held by the Governor — bill has been sent to the governor and was awaiting executive action as of this date.

Notes and considerations

  • The fiscal notes and legislative history confirm DECD as the support agency and detail the change from a $20,000/year General Fund appropriation to a minimal Other Special Revenue Fund authorization contingent on outside funding.
  • The bill text (not provided here) should be consulted for specific provisions on council membership, term lengths, duties, reporting requirements, and any sunset or review provisions.

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

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