PRIA Logo™
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

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Annual reports and small council funds

The council must report to the Governor and the economic development committee by February 1, 2026, and every year after. Each report covers the prior calendar year and may include recommendations; lawmakers may propose related bills. The law provides $500 in fiscal year 2025-26 and $500 in 2026-27 from Other Special Revenue Funds. These base allocations let the state spend outside-source funds to support the council.

Council members, terms, and public meetings

The council has 12 members: the Maine International Trade Center president (or designee) and 11 appointed by the Governor. Seats cover K-12, public and private colleges, business and trade, arts, sciences, tourism, a Maine nonprofit that supports the sister-state work, international exchanges, and two public members. Members serve three-year terms; the first group is staggered: 4 for one year, 4 for two years, and 3 for three years. Members elect a chair who runs meetings and sets agendas. The council meets at least three times a year, and meetings are open to the public. Members are not paid.

New council to grow Maine-Aomori ties

The law creates the Maine-Aomori Sister-state Advisory Council. It promotes cultural, school, and business exchanges with Aomori, Japan. The council advises Maine leaders and partners. It may seek and accept outside funding and in-kind help to run its work. The president of the Maine International Trade Center, or a designee, is the official Maine 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

    1/11/2026

  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

  • Amendment C-A (H-234), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Amendment S-A to C-A (S-472), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation