WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

LD 1186

Resolve, Directing The Department Of Transportation To Study The Feasibility Of Ferry Service To Monhegan Island

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Lydia Crafts

LD 1186 directs Maine DOT to study the feasibility of ferry service to Monhegan Island; provides a one-time $7,000 for the study, with no construction or ongoing funding authorized

Signed by Governor
#ferries #monheganplantation #navigation
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 1186

Summary — LD 1186: Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Study the Feasibility of Ferry Service to Monhegan Island

Purpose

LD 1186 directs the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct a feasibility study on adding ferry service to Monhegan Island. The Resolve requires DOT to evaluate whether, and under what conditions, ferry service could be provided to the island.

Key provisions

  • Directs the Maine DOT to study the feasibility of providing ferry service to Monhegan Island (Monhegan Plantation).
  • The study is limited to feasibility analysis; the Resolve does not authorize construction, regular service, procurement of vessels, or ongoing funding for operation.
  • The enacted version was amended by Committee Amendment “A” (H‑540) and was passed and signed by the Governor.

Fiscal impact

  • One-time Highway Fund allocation of $7,000 to the Department of Transportation in FY 2025‑26 to complete the study.
  • No ongoing fiscal impact is projected in FY 2026‑27 and beyond per the fiscal notes (approved 06/03/25 and 06/09/25).
  • Appropriation summary: Highway Fund — $7,000 (one-time, FY 2025‑26).

Who is affected

  • Monhegan Island residents and seasonal visitors (potential beneficiaries of new ferry access).
  • Municipal and local governments (Monhegan Plantation) that may be involved in planning or permitting.
  • Maine DOT (tasked with conducting the study).
  • Potential private or public ferry operators and port/harbor infrastructure stakeholders, who may be considered in the study.
  • State Highway Fund (one-time appropriation).

Timeline & procedural history

  • Introduced: March 20, 2025; referred to Committee on Transportation.
  • Work session and committee action: Work session and voted OTP‑AM (May 15, 2025); reported out as engrossed with Committee Amendment “A.”
  • Floor action: Passed by Legislature in June 2025 (final passage and concurrence June 10–18, 2025).
  • Signed by Governor: June 20, 2025.
  • Fiscal notes approved: June 3 and June 9, 2025.

Next steps / likely content of the study

The DOT will use the allocated funds to complete a feasibility analysis. Typical elements of such a study would include demand and ridership estimates, route and schedule options, vessel and terminal requirements, capital and operating cost estimates, environmental and regulatory considerations, and potential funding/operational models — though the Resolve text itself specifies only that DOT study feasibility and does not prescribe study elements or deadlines in the available summary.

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

Sign in to ask a question.