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LD 817

An Act To Remove Restrictions That Prohibit School Administrative Units From Making Purchases Through Cooperatives

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michael Brennan and 5 co-sponsors

LD 817 would let Maine school districts buy through cooperative purchasing organizations, expanding options and potential savings—but the bill died in committee.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#administrativeunits #purchases #schooladministration
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Bill Summary · LD 817

Summary of LD 817: An Act To Remove Restrictions That Prohibit School Administrative Units From Making Purchases Through Cooperatives

Overview

LD 817 would authorize school administrative units (SAUs) to make purchases through cooperative purchasing organizations by removing existing restrictions. The bill is sponsored by Christina Mitchell and was referred to the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. The bill status is Dead as of the latest actions.

Purpose and Intent

  • The primary aim is to remove statutory restrictions that prohibit SAUs from utilizing cooperative purchasing arrangements.
  • By enabling SAUs to participate in purchasing cooperatives, the bill seeks to expand procurement options and potentially improve cost efficiency and access to goods and services used by schools.

Key Provisions (high level)

  • Elimination or modification of prohibitions preventing SAUs from buying through cooperative purchasing organizations.
  • Allowance for SAUs to engage with cooperatives for the acquisition of supplies, materials, and services.
  • Specific procedural details (e.g., how SAUs would contract with cooperatives, compliance with procurement rules) would be defined in the bill’s text if enacted. The available information does not provide the exact language.

Affected Parties

  • School administrative units in the state (districts, regional school units, or equivalent entities) that are governed by Maine procurement statutes.
  • Potential vendors and cooperative purchasing organizations that supply goods and services to SAUs.

Legislative History and Timeline

  • Date Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Primary Sponsor: Christina Mitchell
  • Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
  • Actions:
    • 2025-02-27: Referred to Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs; ordered printed.
    • 2025-03-21: Carried over to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature (Joint Order SP 519).
    • 2025-04-02: Work session held; Voted ONTP (Ought Not Pass).
    • 2025-04-07: Reported Out - ONTP.
    • 2025-04-08: Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 placed in Legislative Files (DEAD).
  • Status: Dead; not enacted in this session.

Status and Next Steps

  • As currently positioned, LD 817 did not advance and has been placed in Legislative Files as Dead. If reintroduced in a future session, it could be reconsidered, potentially with revised language addressing any concerns that led to the ONTP outcome.

Additional Notes

  • The bill falls under the subject areas of Administrative Units, Purchases, and School Administration.
  • The procedural path included a carryover, a work session, and committee votes before final disposition as Dead.

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

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