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MaineLD 1245132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Establish a Fund and Council to Support Working Waterfronts

Sponsored By: Morgan Rielly (Democratic)

Became Law

MARINE RESOURCES DEPTMARINE RESOURCES DEPT - DEVELOPMENT

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New council and reports on working waterfronts

The law creates a Working Waterfront Advisory Council of up to 15 members appointed by the director. Members represent tribes, towns, nonprofits, trade groups, schools, and industry from across the coast. Members serve three-year terms; initial terms are staggered at 1, 2, and 3 years, and the director fills vacancies. The council elects a chair and vice-chair each year, is staffed by the Office of Community Affairs, and meets at least four times a year. Starting February 1, 2026, the council files a yearly report to two legislative committees on status, challenges, and recommendations, including mapping, climate resilience, access, housing, water quality, workforce, and decarbonization. Also starting February 1, 2026, the director files a yearly report on working waterfront initiatives to the relevant committees, and committees may propose laws based on these reports.

New fund to help coastal working waterfronts

The law creates the Working Waterfront Information and Technical Assistance Fund, run by the Maine Office of Community Affairs. The fund pays for information campaigns and technical help to protect and grow working waterfronts. The office can take public and private money, and fund balances carry forward and do not expire. The office works with state agencies, coastal towns, tribes, schools, and industry groups. The state allocates $500 in 2025-26 and $500 in 2026-27 from Other Special Revenue Funds to support the fund. A “working waterfront” means coastal land used mainly for commercial fishing and marine work.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Morgan Rielly

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Cheryl Golek

    Democratic • House

  • Daniel Ankeles

    Democratic • House

  • Denise Tepler

    Democratic • Senate

  • Holly Stover

    Democratic • House

  • Jill C. Duson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tiffany Strout

    Republican • House

  • Traci Gere

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 265

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/5/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/4/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-453) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-453), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    6/3/2025Senate

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-453).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/3/2025House

  6. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT in concurrence

    3/25/2025Senate

  7. Committee on Housing and Economic Development suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/25/2025House

Bill Text

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