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MaineLD 1543132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Establish the Maine Green Schools Network

Sponsored By: Joseph Rafferty (Democratic)

Became Law

EDUCATION DEPTEDUCATION DEPT - POWERS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants and donations for green schools

The department can offer grants through the network for activities that match the network’s duties. A Maine nonprofit can help support the grant program. Money the department gets from non‑state sources stays with the department and must be used under this law and any gift or grant terms. The law does not set grant amounts or provide a state appropriation.

Maine Green Schools Network starts

The law creates the Maine Green Schools Network in the Department of Education. The department runs it and can partner with a Maine nonprofit, other state agencies, Tribal governments, and environmental and outdoor learning nonprofits. The department can invite staff, an educator, an administrator, a public member, and key agency and nonprofit representatives to take part, if funds allow. It may also invite others as needed.

Support for school trips and savings

The network helps with student transportation to environmental activities. It supports school projects to cut waste and save energy and water, and to build outdoor classrooms and schoolyard habitats. It also supports work on better transportation and school health. The network builds shared tools and training for teachers and creates a statewide group to share lessons on community resilience and changing ecosystems.

Who counts as students and green schools

A student means someone in public pre‑K through grade 12. A green school is a public school that shows progress in four areas: cutting carbon and improving efficiency in buildings, energy, transport, food, and landscaping; building environmental learning; creating career paths in climate or clean‑energy jobs; and growing leadership by youth, educators, and the community.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joseph Rafferty

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Christina Mitchell

    Democratic • House

  • Janice Dodge

    Democratic • House

  • Kelly Murphy

    Democratic • House

  • Michael Brennan

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 96 • No: 85

House vote • 6/10/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 76 • No: 71

Senate vote • 6/9/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 20 • No: 14

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 422

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/11/2025Senate

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

    6/10/2025House

  4. Reports READ.On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 400(Yeas 76 - Nays 71 - Absent 2 - Excused 2)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-316) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-316). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

  5. Reports READ. On motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 404 Yeas 20 - Nays 14 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-316) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-316) Sent down for concurrence

    6/9/2025Senate

  6. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/10/2025House

  7. Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    4/10/2025Senate

Bill Text

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