Resolve, Directing The Maine Arts Commission To Study Federal And National Efforts To Protect Artists From Copyright Infringement By Artificial Intelligence Companies And Users And To Monitor Educational Use

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Poppy Arford and 5 co-sponsors

directs the Maine Arts Commission to study and report on federal and national efforts to protect artists’ copyrights from AI, including educational uses.

Became Law without Governor's Signature

#artscommission #copyrightinfringement #culturalagencies

Summary — LD 109 (132nd Maine Legislature)

Title: Resolve, Directing the Maine Arts Commission To Study Federal And National Efforts To Protect Artists From Copyright Infringement By Artificial Intelligence Companies And Users And To Monitor Educational Use

Sponsor: Rep. Dodge of Belfast
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Introduced: January 8, 2025
Status: Passed both chambers; Sent to Governor and HELD BY THE GOVERNOR (07/08/2025)

Purpose

LD 109 is a Resolve directing the Maine Arts Commission to conduct a study of federal and national efforts to protect artists from copyright infringement by artificial intelligence (AI) companies and users, and to monitor how AI is being used in educational settings. The intent is to gather information to inform possible future state-level responses or guidance.

Key Provisions

Directs the Maine Arts Commission to:

Study existing federal and national legal, policy and industry efforts that seek to protect artists’ copyrights in the context of AI-generated content and AI training/use.
Monitor and report on educational uses of AI that may implicate artists’ works or copyright concerns.
Prepare and submit a report summarizing findings (the bill requires a study and report; no specific statutory changes or enforcement authorities are created).

Anticipates consulting with the Office of the Attorney General as needed; AG costs are expected to be minor and absorbable.

Fiscal Impact

The enacted version (as amended) includes a one-time General Fund appropriation of $25,000 in FY 2025–26 to the Maine Arts Commission to hire a consultant to conduct the study and prepare the report.

Earlier versions proposed a $50,000 one-time appropriation; a Senate amendment (S-445) reduced that amount to $25,000.

No ongoing costs are projected; any incremental AG support is expected to be absorbed within existing budgets.

Who Is Affected

Maine Arts Commission — primary implementer of the study and report.

Maine artists and creators — subject of the protections being examined.

AI companies, AI users (including educational institutions) — focus of the study regarding practices and impacts.

Office of the Attorney General — potential minor consultative role.

Legislative Timeline & Procedural Notes

Referred to Education and Cultural Affairs (01/08/2025); work sessions and amendments followed.

Committee Amendment A (H-58) adopted; Senate Amendment A (S-445) to that amendment was adopted.

Finally passed both chambers (House concurrence recorded 06/25/2025); sent to Governor and subsequently held (07/08/2025).

As a Resolve, LD 109 mandates a study and report rather than creating new statutory regulatory schemes.

Notes: The publicly available documents do not specify a deadline for the report. The study’s findings would inform any subsequent legislative or administrative action.