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MaineLD 1336132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act to Establish the Maine-Aomori Sister-state Advisory Council

Sponsored By: Eleanor Sato (Democratic)

Became Law

STATE GOVERNMENTSTATE GOVERNMENT - PLANNING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Annual reports and small funding

Beginning January 11, 2026, the council must report to the Governor and the economic development committee by February 1, 2026, and every year after. Reports cover the prior calendar year and may include recommendations. The committee may file bills based on the report. The law also provides $500 in FY 2025–26 and $500 in FY 2026–27 (Other Special Revenue Funds) to authorize spending of outside funds.

Council membership, terms, and meetings

Beginning January 11, 2026, the council includes the Maine International Trade Center president or designee and 11 members named by the Governor. Appointees cover K–12, public and private colleges, business and trade, the humanities, science, tourism, a Maine nonprofit tied to the relationship, international exchanges, and two public members. Members serve three-year terms. For the first group, four serve one year, four serve two years, and three serve three years. The council elects a chair, meets at least three times a year, keeps meetings open to the public, and members serve without pay.

Council to grow Maine-Aomori ties

Beginning January 11, 2026, the law creates the Maine-Aomori Sister-state Advisory Council. It promotes cultural, school, and business exchanges with Aomori, Japan. The council can seek and accept outside funding and in-kind help to support its work. The Maine International Trade Center president, or a designee, serves as Maine’s official contact.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Eleanor Sato

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Allison Hepler

    Democratic • House

  • Amanda Collamore

    Republican • House

  • David Sinclair

    Democratic • House

  • Denise Tepler

    Democratic • Senate

  • Holly Eaton

    Democratic • House

  • Jill C. Duson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marianne Moore

    Republican • Senate

  • Matthea E. L. Daughtry

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ryan Fecteau

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 500

    5/1/2026

  2. HELD BY THE GOVERNOR.

    7/8/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

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

    6/25/2025House

  5. The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-234) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-472) thereto.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/25/2025House

  6. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table On motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-234) On further motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby Committee Amendment "A" (H-234) was ADOPTED. On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-472) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-234) READ and ADOPTED. Committee Amendment "A" (H-234) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-472) thereto ADOPTED. PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-234) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-472) thereto in NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

  7. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence.

    5/27/2025Senate

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

    5/27/2025House

  9. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-234) 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-234), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    5/22/2025Senate

  10. 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-234).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/22/2025House

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

    3/27/2025Senate

  12. 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.

    3/27/2025House

Bill Text

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