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LD 736

An Act To Improve Ferry Service Reliability By Providing Scholarships At The Maine Maritime Academy

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jan Dodge

Establish Maine Maritime Academy scholarships to develop a ferry-service workforce, aiming to improve reliability for Maine's ferries.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 736

Summary of LD 736: An Act To Improve Ferry Service Reliability By Providing Scholarships At The Maine Maritime Academy

Overview

  • LD 736 seeks to improve ferry service reliability by creating scholarships at the Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) as a workforce development strategy.
  • Status: DEAD for the current legislative session. The bill was placed in Legislative Files pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 after consideration.
  • Introduced: February 25, 2025
  • Primary subjects: colleges and universities, maritime academy, workforce development scholarships

Intent and Purpose

  • The bill aims to strengthen Maine’s ferry service by investing in scholarship support at MMA, presumably to train and attract maritime professionals essential to operating and maintaining ferry services.
  • While the title indicates a link between scholarships and ferry service reliability, the available information does not provide the exact eligibility criteria, eligible programs, benefit amounts, or conditions attached to the scholarships.

Key Provisions (as described by title; specific text not provided here)

  • Establish scholarships at the Maine Maritime Academy intended to support individuals who will contribute to the ferry service workforce.
  • The scholarships are framed as a mechanism to bolster workforce development relevant to ferry operations and reliability.

Note: The detailed provisions (e.g., funding sources, scholarship amounts, duration, eligibility criteria, scholarship renewals, service obligations after graduation, or matching requirements) are not included in the provided materials.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Maine Maritime Academy students and programs, particularly those in maritime-related curricula aligned with ferry operations.
  • Maine’s ferry service operators and related transportation/sea­-based workforce sectors, which would benefit from a larger or more skilled applicant pool.
  • The broader higher education and workforce development ecosystem in Maine.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • 2025-02-25: Referred to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs.
  • 2025-02-25: Referred in concurrence; sent forthwith.
  • 2025-03-21: Carried over to the next special or regular session (pursuant to Joint Order SP 519).
  • 2025-03-24: Work Session Held; Voted - Divided Report.
  • 2025-04-14: Work Session Reconsidered; Voted - ONTP (Ought Not To Pass).
  • 2025-05-27: Reported Out - ONTP.
  • 2025-05-28: Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) under Joint Rule 310.3.

Potential Impact and Takeaways

  • The bill reflects a targeted approach to workforce development for Maine’s ferry system by leveraging MMA scholarships.
  • Given its “ONTP” outcome and final placement in Legislative Files as Dead, the proposal did not advance this session. If reintroduced, proponents might need to address committee concerns or provide stronger cost, eligibility, and program design details.

Next Steps

  • If interest persists, stakeholders may pursue reintroduction in a future session with clarifications on funding, administration, and expected outcomes of the scholarship program.

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

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