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LD 593

An Act To Extend Funding For The Land For Maine'S Future Program

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Russell Black and 9 co-sponsors

Extends annual General Fund support of $10 million for four years (FY 2025-26 through FY 2028-29) to the Land for Maine's Future program to fund land conservation.

Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 593

Summary: LD 593 — An Act To Extend Funding For The Land For Maine's Future Program

Overview

LD 593 seeks to extend ongoing General Fund support for Maine’s Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program. The bill would allocate $10 million annually to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) to fund eligible expenditures and other authorized purposes under the Land for Maine’s Future Fund as governed by Title 5, §6203 of the Maine Revised Statutes.

Purpose and Intent

  • Ensure continued funding for the Land for Maine’s Future Program, sustaining its land conservation acquisitions, protections, and related activities.
  • Provide stable, multi-year support from the General Fund to DACF to administer and implement LMFF-related projects.

Key Provisions

  • Ongoing General Fund appropriations to DACF of $10,000,000 per year.
  • Effective starting in Fiscal Year 2025-26.
  • Amounts are dedicated to fund eligible expenditures and other authorized purposes under the Land for Maine’s Future Fund as described in Title 5, §6203.
  • Annual appropriations: $10,000,000 for FY 2025-26, FY 2026-27, FY 2027-28, and FY 2028-29 (continuing beyond if extended by the Legislature).

Fiscal Impact

  • Net Cost (Savings): $10,000,000 General Fund per year (consistent with the appropriation).
  • Appropriations/Allocations: $10,000,000 General Fund per year (FY 2025-26 through FY 2028-29).
  • The fiscal notes (two versions: LR 1403(01) and LR 1403(02)) are aligned, indicating ongoing funding without new revenue sources beyond the General Fund.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Department: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF).
  • Program/Entity: Land for Maine’s Future Fund, including its board and activities that purchase or protect land, conserve habitats, and support public access and related conservation goals.
  • Stakeholders include land conservation groups, municipalities seeking protections, and the general public benefiting from preserved lands.

Timeline and Status

  • Introduced: February 19, 2025.
  • Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; work sessions held; amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-83).
  • May 2025: Various readings and approvals; passed to be enacted, then sent for concurrence; placed on the Special Appropriations Table pending enactment in concurrence.
  • June 25, 2025: Carried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature (pursuant to Joint Order SP 800). The bill remains in a carryover status for potential action in a future session.

Bottom Line

LD 593 proposes a four-year extension of $10 million per year in General Fund support to the Land for Maine’s Future program, beginning in FY 2025-26, to sustain eligible LMFF expenditures and related purposes. The bill has advanced through initial committee action and is currently carried over for potential action in a future session.

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

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