PRIA Logo™
MaineLD 154132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Amend the Transportation Laws

Sponsored By: Lydia Crafts (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENTTRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT - POWERS

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

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Highway Fund surplus flows to DOT

At each fiscal year end, leftover Highway Fund money above $100,000 can move into DOT programs. Funds can go to Highway and Bridge Capital, Highway Light Capital, Maintenance and Operations, and the Multimodal Transportation Fund, within legal program caps. The Transportation Commissioner can allot the money by financial order after the State Budget Officer recommends it and the Governor approves. The law defines the “unallocated balance” as what remains after all allocations, budgeted commitments, and authorized transfers. DOT must report these transfers to the Legislature’s transportation committee within 30 days of approval, and the State Controller lists them in the annual financial report.

Per-mile payments set for roads

For rural areas outside urban compacts, towns get $600 per lane mile per year for eligible roads and $300 for seasonal roads. In urban compact areas, summer maintenance on state and state‑aid highways pays $2,500 per lane mile for the first two lanes and $1,250 for each lane beyond the second. Winter maintenance on state highways pays $1,700 per lane mile. Other public roads inside compacts pay $600 per lane mile, or $300 if seasonal. These funds must be used for maintenance or capital work on roads, bridges, and drainage.

Steady local road aid and targeting

The Local Road Assistance Program provides fair financial help to communities to improve local roads and to maintain state roads in urban compact areas. Eligible recipients include municipalities, counties, and Indian reservations. Beginning July 1, 2014, 9% of the DOT’s Highway Fund allocation is dedicated to this program each year. Each July 1, the Commissioner adjusts base funding and per‑mile rates based on available revenue. Aid is aimed at rural capital needs and at maintenance for state and state‑aid roads in urban compact areas.

Old road fund repealed, small cuts

The law repeals the Secondary Road Program Fund, so it is no longer available in statute. It also cuts “All Other” Other Special Revenue Funds for Highway and Bridge Capital by $500 in fiscal year 2025‑26 and $500 in fiscal year 2026‑27.

Clearer state and local road duties

The State is responsible for roads that serve regional or statewide needs. Local governments keep responsibility for local roads. Municipalities and the State can partner to improve minor and major collector routes. These rules may shift which level of government pays for certain improvements.

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. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 66

    5/9/2025

  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

  • Amendment C-A (H-75), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation