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LD 1012

An Act To Fund The Operations Of The University Of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Laboratory

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Brad Farrin and 2 co-sponsors

Establishes a dedicated fund to support University of Maine Tick Laboratory operations funded by 20% of net proceeds from a new instant lottery game.

Became Law without Governor's Signature
#cooperativeextension #ticklaboratory #universityofmainesystem
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Bill Summary · LD 1012

Summary — LD 1012: An Act To Fund The Operations Of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Laboratory

Status: Passed both chambers; HELD BY THE GOVERNOR (07/08/2025)
Introduced: 03/12/2025

Purpose

To create a dedicated funding stream for operations of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Laboratory (UMCETL) by directing a portion of net proceeds from a new instant lottery game to a newly established special revenue fund.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the "University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Laboratory Operations Fund" (UMCETLOF) to support tick research and laboratory operations.
  • Requires the State Liquor and Lottery Commission (via the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations, BABLO) to develop and launch a dedicated instant lottery ticket/game by July 1, 2026.
  • Directs a specified portion of the new game's net proceeds to the UMCETLOF. (The distribution percentage was amended during floor action — see Fiscal Impact below.)
  • Authorizes ongoing allocations from Other Special Revenue Funds equal to the revenue received by the UMCETLOF to permit expenditures for tick lab operations.

Fiscal impact (summary of fiscal notes)

  • BABLO advised the new instant ticket is not expected to increase total lottery revenues; sales would largely shift from existing games.
  • Based on historical performance of comparable instant tickets, estimated annual net proceeds from the new game are about $543,116.
  • Under the committee amendment (initial version): 50% of net proceeds (~$271,558/year) would be directed to UMCETLOF. That would reduce transfers to the General Fund by about $271,558 annually.
  • After a Senate amendment, the revenue split was changed from 50/50 to an 80/20 split (70/30 in some internal tables appears inconsistent). The legislative summary in the amendment’s fiscal note states the change reduces the General Fund revenue impact from ~$271,558 to ~$108,623/year (i.e., ~20% to UMCETLOF). Readers should note the fiscal documents contain slightly differing line-item figures ($162,935 appears in an amended fiscal table), but the intended policy change was to reduce the share going to the tick lab fund to 20% of estimated net proceeds.
  • Appropriations/allocations to the UMCETLOF would be ongoing and equal to the revenue collected for the fund.

Who is affected

  • University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Laboratory — receives new, dedicated operating funds.
  • State Liquor and Lottery Commission / BABLO — required to develop/launch the new instant game and manage the revenue split.
  • Maine General Fund — will receive reduced lottery transfers to the extent that proceeds are diverted to the new fund.
  • Lottery players and existing instant-ticket games — sales are expected to shift among games but not increase total lottery revenue.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Committee referral: Veterans and Legal Affairs (after initial referral).
  • Committee amendment (A) adopted; subsequently amended on Senate floor (S-466).
  • Passed both chambers (engrossed as amended); ordered sent forthwith.
  • Bill is currently held by the Governor (07/08/2025). If signed, the commission must launch the ticket by July 1, 2026; funding would begin in the first full fiscal year after launch per fiscal notes.

If you’d like, I can produce a one-page brief focusing only on the fiscal tradeoffs (impact to the General Fund vs. the tick lab), or a timeline of the bill’s floor actions.

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

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