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LD 1643

An Act To Establish The Maine Life Science Innovation Center

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rick Bennett and 9 co-sponsors

Establishes the Maine Life Science Innovation Center and a fund to back startup and commercialization in Maine’s life sciences; funded by gifts/grants with no net General Fund cost.

Signed by Governor
#economicdevelopment #lifescienceinnovationcenter #planning
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Bill Summary · LD 1643

Summary — LD 1643: An Act To Establish The Maine Life Science Innovation Center

Status: HELD BY THE GOVERNOR (as of 2025-07-08)
Introduced: April 11, 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Pierce of Cumberland
Committee: Housing and Economic Development
Subjects: Economic development, life science innovation, planning

Purpose / Intent

LD 1643 would establish the “Maine Life Science Innovation Center” to support development and commercialization in Maine’s life sciences sector. The measure creates a new entity and an associated fund to support start‑up and operating activities for the Center and authorizes the Center to receive gifts, grants and other public or private funding.

Key provisions (as reflected in fiscal documents and amendments)

  • Creates the Maine Life Science Innovation Center (structure and program details in the bill text).
  • Establishes a Maine Life Science Innovation Fund to receive appropriations and outside contributions for start‑up and program costs.
  • Authorizes ongoing other special revenue fund allocations (to permit spending if gifts, grants or other funds are received).
  • Provides for representation on the Center’s board by state entities (the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Maine Technology Institute, the Maine Community College System and the University of Maine System).
  • Allows the Center to accept and expend gifts, grants and other public or private funds subject to the small base authorization included in the bill.

Fiscal impact

The bill’s fiscal notes reflect different versions during the legislative process:

  • Original bill and Committee Amendment (LR2061(01) and LR2061(02)): included one‑time General Fund appropriations of $2,000,000 in FY 2025‑26 and $2,000,000 in FY 2026‑27 (totaling $4.0 million) to the newly created Maine Life Science Innovation Fund to support initial start‑up costs. Also included ongoing Other Special Revenue Fund base allocations of $500 per year beginning FY 2025‑26 to permit expenditures if external funds are received.

  • Senate Amendment (LR2061(04)): removed the one‑time General Fund appropriations (eliminating the $2.0M appropriations in FY 2025‑26 and FY 2026‑27). It retained the $500 per year Other Special Revenue Fund base authorization.

  • Final fiscal effect (as amended by Committee Amendment A (S‑227) and Senate Amendment A (S‑479)): the appropriations for one‑time General Fund start‑up dollars were removed; the bill provides a $0 General Fund net cost under that amendment path and retains a $500 per year Other Special Revenue authorization to allow spending if gifts/grants are received.

Other notes:
- Additional workload costs for state agencies supplying board representatives are expected to be absorbed within existing budgets.
- Minimal judicial/correctional impact; any additional fine revenue would be minor.

Who is affected

  • Life science companies, researchers, entrepreneurs and colleges/universities seeking commercialization support in Maine (potential beneficiaries if the Center becomes operational and receives funds).
  • State entities designated to provide board members (DECD, Maine Technology Institute, Maine Community College System, University of Maine System) — administrative duties expected to be absorbed within current resources.
  • State budget (depending on whether GF start‑up appropriations are included or removed as in the Senate amendment).

Procedural history & current status

  • Referred to Housing and Economic Development Committee April 11, 2025; work session and OTP‑AM recommendation in May.
  • Passed both chambers with amendments (Committee Amendment A (S‑227) adopted June 2; Senate Amendment A (S‑479) adopted June 25).
  • House receded and concurred to the final amended language June 25, 2025.
  • Final legislative action: PASSED TO BE ENACTED June 25, 2025.
  • Status: HELD BY THE GOVERNOR (as of July 8, 2025) — awaiting the Governor’s action (signature, veto or other disposition).

Considerations / Potential impacts

  • If the Governor allows the amended bill to become law (without the earlier $2.0M GF start‑up appropriations), the Center would exist in statute but would have minimal state start‑up funding; its initial activities would depend on gifts, grants or other non‑General Fund sources.
  • If prior appropriation language had remained, the bill would have required $4.0M in one‑time General Fund appropriations across FY 2025‑26 and FY 2026‑27 to seed the new fund.
  • Establishment of the Center could support commercialization, workforce development and private investment in Maine’s life sciences sector, contingent on available funding and program design (details in the bill text).

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

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