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MaineLD 154132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Amend the Transportation Laws

Sponsored By: Lydia Crafts (Democratic)

Became Law

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENTTRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT - POWERS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Leftover highway money to roadwork

At each fiscal year end, the State Controller transfers the uncommitted balance in the Highway Fund unallocated surplus. Money first goes to the Secondary Road Program Fund up to its cap; any remaining money goes to Highway and Bridge Capital, Highway Light Capital, Maintenance and Operations, and the Multimodal Transportation Fund. “Uncommitted balance” means what is left after allocations, budgeted commitments, adjustments, and other authorized transfers. The Commissioner may allot these amounts only by financial order with the State Budget Officer’s recommendation and the Governor’s approval, and must report the Highway and Bridge Capital program’s financial status to the transportation committee within 30 days after approval. The State Controller must also list all such transfers in the year‑end financial report.

Local road aid amounts and uses

The law sets per-lane-mile aid to towns. Rural roads get $600 a year ($300 if seasonal). In urban compact areas, summer work pays $2,500 per lane mile for the first two lanes and $1,250 for each extra lane. Winter is $1,700 per lane mile; other public roads get $600 per lane mile ($300 if seasonal). Money can be used only for maintenance or capital work on roads, bridges, and drainage. In towns with no rural collectors, it may fund winter upkeep, equipment, or a maintenance building only after a local vote that town ways and bridges will not need major repairs for at least 10 years. Beginning July 1, 2014, the program gets 9% of the Highway Fund, and rates adjust each July 1 to match revenue. Aid targets rural capital needs and urban compact upkeep; the State handles regional routes, locals handle local roads, and collector routes can be joint projects.

Secondary Road Program Fund ends

The law repeals the statute that created the Secondary Road Program Fund, ending that program and its partnerships for collector highway projects. As part of this change, the Highway and Bridge Capital program’s Other Special Revenue Funds “All Other” line is cut by $500 in 2025–26 and $500 in 2026–27. Towns and counties lose that dedicated fund structure for these projects.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lydia Crafts

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 66

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    5/7/2025Senate

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

    5/6/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-75) 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-75), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    4/30/2025Senate

  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-75).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/29/2025House

  6. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  7. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION in concurrence

    1/14/2025Senate

  8. Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/14/2025House

Bill Text

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