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LD 415

An Act To Support Hunger Prevention In Maine

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dan Ankeles and 6 co-sponsors

Creates the Statewide Hunger Relief Program in DACF with $1,000,000 per year to contract nonprofits for statewide hunger relief across Maine.

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 415

Summary: LD 415 — An Act To Support Hunger Prevention In Maine

Overview

LD 415 seeks to provide ongoing state funding to support hunger prevention efforts across Maine. The bill would establish and fund the Statewide Hunger Relief Program within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) to contract with nonprofit organizations that deliver statewide hunger relief services. The measure was introduced on February 4, 2025 and is currently carried over to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature.

Purpose and Intent

  • To prevent hunger by coordinating and funding statewide hunger relief activities.
  • To support nonprofit organizations that operate hunger relief programs across Maine through contracted services.

Key Provisions

  • Establishment/continuation of the Statewide Hunger Relief Program within DACF.
  • Ongoing General Fund appropriations of $1,000,000 per year for contracted services with nonprofit organizations that provide statewide hunger relief.
  • Funding is intended to support statewide hunger relief operations, presumably including distribution, access, and related services across Maine.
  • The fiscal note indicates the funding would be ongoing, beginning in fiscal year 2025-26, with annual appropriations of $1,000,000 through at least FY 2028-29 (based on projection tables).

Fiscal Impact

  • Net Cost (General Fund): $1,000,000 per year (FY 2025-26 through FY 2028-29 projections).
  • Appropriations/Allocations: $1,000,000 per year.
  • The fiscal notes (LR 729(01) and LR 729(02)) consistently reflect ongoing funding of $1,000,000 annually to the Statewide Hunger Relief Program for contracted nonprofit services.

Implementation and Timeline

  • Fiscal year alignment: Beginning in FY 2025-26, with ongoing annual funding at $1,000,000.
  • Current status: Carried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session per Joint Order SP 800. The bill progressed through the usual committee process (Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry) and underwent Committee Amendment "A" (H-42) before advancing.

Affected Parties

  • Statewide Hunger Relief Program (within the DACF).
  • Nonprofit organizations that provide statewide hunger relief services (as contractors).
  • Maine residents who benefit from hunger relief and related services.

Legislative History (highlights)

  • Introduced: February 4, 2025.
  • Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; voted OTP-AM; Committee Amendment "A" (H-42) adopted.
  • Passed to be enacted and sent for concurrence in April 2025.
  • Carried over to a future session (SP 800).

Notes

  • The bill focuses on creating a stable, statewide funding stream to support hunger relief through nonprofit partners.
  • Total program funding is pegged at $1 million annually, with no indicated sunset in the fiscal notes provided.

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

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