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LD 22

An Act To Update The Laws Governing Education In The Unorganized Territory

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Joe Rafferty

The bill creates a program to reimburse parents for transporting elementary students living in Maine’s Unorganized Territory.

Signed by Governor
#provisionsrevised #schooladministration #unorganizedterritory
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Bill Summary · LD 22

LD 22 — An Act To Update The Laws Governing Education in the Unorganized Territory

Status: Signed by Governor (07/01/2025)
Introduced: 01/08/2025 | Sponsor: Sen. Rafferty (York)
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Subjects: School administration; Unorganized territory; Provisions revised

Purpose / Intent

The bill updates statutory provisions that govern education in Maine’s Unorganized Territory (UT). The most clearly documented substantive change (as reflected in the bill’s fiscal notes and the enacted amendment) establishes a mechanism to reimburse parents for transporting elementary-school children who reside in the Unorganized Territory.

Key provisions

  • Authorizes reimbursement to parents for transportation of elementary students living in the Unorganized Territory. (The enacted version passed with Committee Amendment “A” (S‑111); the fiscal notes address this transportation reimbursement provision specifically.)
  • Other statutory “updates” referenced in the title are not detailed in the fiscal notes provided; the summary focuses on the transportation reimbursement component that generated fiscal analysis.

Fiscal impact (summary of fiscal notes)

  • The Department of Education’s Education in the Unorganized Territory (EUT) program will incur increased costs beginning in fiscal year 2025–26 to reimburse parents for transporting elementary students.
  • The department expects that available appropriation levels in the 2026–2027 biennium will cover these costs, so no additional General Fund appropriations are anticipated at this time.
  • General Fund expenditures for the EUT program are fully reimbursed by the Unorganized Territory Education and Services Fund.
  • The effect on the Unorganized Territory Education and Services Tax (levied on nonexempt real and personal property in the UT Tax District) is not expected in FY2025–26; potential impacts on taxpayers in future biennia are uncertain and depend on:
    • The number of eligible students,
    • Daily miles traveled, and
    • The mileage reimbursement rate.

(Fiscal notes were issued 02/20/2025, 03/03/2025 and 05/22/2025 and contain consistent findings.)

Who is affected

  • Primary: Parents/guardians of elementary-school children residing in the Unorganized Territory who provide student transportation.
  • State: Department of Education (EUT program) — administrative and fiscal responsibility for reimbursements.
  • UT taxpayers: Potential future indirect impact on the Unorganized Territory Education and Services Fund and associated tax levy, depending on program costs in later biennia.

Procedural history / timeline

  • Referred to Education & Cultural Affairs (01/08/2025).
  • Work sessions, divided report, and amendment consideration occurred through spring 2025.
  • Committee Amendment “A” (S‑111) was adopted (05/21–05/22/2025).
  • Passed both chambers and placed briefly on the Special Appropriations Table pending enactment (late May–June 2025).
  • Enacted and signed by the Governor on 07/01/2025.

Notes and uncertainties

  • The fiscal notes focus narrowly on the transportation reimbursement provision; the full enrolled bill text may contain additional changes to UT education law not described in the fiscal documents provided.
  • Long‑term fiscal effects and potential tax impacts for UT property owners cannot be determined precisely without data on enrollment, transportation distances, and the reimbursement rate set for parents.

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

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