All Roll Calls
Yes: 98 • No: 80
MaineLD 2216132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET
An Act to Establish the Maine Blue Economy Center
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Became Law
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - PLANNING
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Blue economy data and reporting
The center must work with state agencies, industry groups, universities, and regional partners to align efforts. It must build a public Gulf of Maine database that tracks jobs, wages, business counts, revenue, and resource trends. The center may seek and spend gifts, grants, and bequests to support this work. Each year, it must send a public report within 120 days after its fiscal year ends, covering operations, finances, and investments or grants. Within 60 days after the full board is appointed, it must submit a five-year strategic, operations, and finance plan to the Legislature.
One-time startup funding for center
The law gives a one-time $160,000 General Fund appropriation in fiscal year 2026–27 to support the Maine Blue Economy Center (Initiative N569). It also requires a one-time $160,000 transfer from the Attorney General’s special revenue account, made up of settlement funds, to the General Fund’s unappropriated surplus by June 30, 2027.
Patent help for Maine innovators
The institute may run a program with the Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board to support technology transfer at Maine universities and eligible nonprofit research groups. Help can cover patenting and licensing costs and promote licensing to companies that operate in Maine. The institute may also partner with the University of Maine School of Law to teach and assist Maine companies, inventors, and entrepreneurs with the U.S. patent process to move ideas into manufacturing.
State center to grow ocean jobs
The law creates the Maine Blue Economy Center inside the Maine Technology Institute to coordinate ocean industry growth and jobs. A 17-member board oversees it: 13 voting members appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation, plus 4 nonvoting ex officio seats. Appointed members serve three-year terms; for the first board, 4 seats are one year, 5 are two years, and 4 are three years. The Governor names the chair, and members must disclose financial interests and recuse when needed. MTI provides the staff and may get help from other agencies and private partners.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/7/2026
ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP
Yes: 78 • No: 68
Senate vote • 4/6/2026
ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT
Yes: 20 • No: 12
Actions Timeline
ACTPUB Chapter 735
5/4/2026PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
4/14/2026SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/14/2026HouseOn motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland the Senate RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-637) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-1060) thereto. Ordered sent down forthwith.
4/13/2026SenateOn motion of Speaker FECTEAU of Biddeford, the House RECEDED.On motion of Representative GATTINE of Westbrook, House Amendment "A" (H-1060) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-637) was READ and ADOPTED.Committee Amendment "A" (S-637) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-1060) thereto was ADOPTED.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-637) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-1060) thereto.In NON-CONCURRENCE and sent for concurrence.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/13/2026HouseOn motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table. Same Senator moved to SUSPEND THE RULES to RECONSIDER whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-637) in concurrence. On motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook OBJECTED. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin Bill and accompanying papers COMMITTED to the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs In NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence.
4/13/2026SenateOn motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending PASSAGE TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
4/7/2026SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/7/2026HouseReports READ.On motion of Representative GERE of Kennebunkport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 741(Yeas 78 - Nays 68 - Absent 4 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-637) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-637). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/7/2026HouseReports READ. On motion by Senator CURRY of Waldo The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 893 Yeas 20 - Nays 12 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-637) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-637) Sent down for concurrence.
4/6/2026SenateReport was READ and ACCEPTED.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTIn concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
2/24/2026HouseReported that the same be REFERRED to the Committtee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, pursuant to Resolve, chapter 114, section 7. Report READ and ACCEPTED. Bill and accompanying papers REFERRED to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Sent down for concurrence
2/24/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enacted
Engrossed
Introduced
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