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MaineLD 1643132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Establish the Maine Life Science Innovation Center

Sponsored By: Teresa S. Pierce (Democratic)

Became Law

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - PLANNING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Life sciences center board and reports

The center has 10 members. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development is a nonvoting member. The Governor appoints nine voting members after recommendations from the Finance Authority of Maine and the Maine Technology Institute and designates the chair. Members must disclose money interests and recuse when conflicts exist. The center meets as often as needed and works in public when practical. It may use subcommittees. An annual public report is due no later than 120 days after the fiscal year ends. It must list operations, finances, investments, grants, loans, incentives, next‑year plans, and recommendations. An interim report is due no later than 180 days after all members are appointed. It must describe operations, next‑year plans, and whether to become a quasi‑independent state entity.

More help and University of Maine ties

The Maine Technology Institute must align its priorities with the University of Maine System’s applied research in targeted technologies. It must encourage companies and labs it funds to form joint ventures with the university when appropriate. The institute must also work with state and university partners to make support services available to funded companies and labs, including incubators, business help, technology transfer, market research, and patent research.

New Maine Life Sciences Innovation Center

The law creates the Maine Life Sciences Innovation Center inside the Maine Technology Institute. The center supports life-science research, startups, and workforce training. It works with partners, seeks grants and loans, and helps attract investment. It advises the institute’s director on life-science issues. The institute must support and staff the center and may seek help from other agencies and private groups.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Teresa S. Pierce

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Cameron D. Reny

    Democratic • Senate

  • Daniel Sayre

    Democratic • House

  • Holly Stover

    Democratic • House

  • John Ducharme

    Republican • House

  • Kristen Cloutier

    Democratic • House

  • Marianne Moore

    Republican • Senate

  • Richard A. Bennett

    Independent • Senate

  • Samuel Zager

    Democratic • House

  • Traci Gere

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 22 • No: 10

Senate vote • 3/18/2026

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 22 • No: 10

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 643

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    4/2/2026Senate

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

    3/30/2026House

  4. On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland the Senate RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "B" (S-558) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-896) thereto. Ordered sent down forthwith.

    3/26/2026Senate

  5. This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.On motion of Representative GERE of Kennebunkport, the House RECONSIDERED its action whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "B" (S-558).On further motion of the same Representative, the House RECONSIDERED ADOPTION of Committee Amendment "B" (S-558).On motion of Representative GERE of Kennebunkport, House Amendment "A" (H-896) to Committee Amendment "B" (S-558) was READ and ADOPTED.Committee Amendment "B" (S-558) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-896) thereto was ADOPTED. Subsequently, the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "B" (S-558) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-896) thereto.In NON-CONCURRENCE and sent for concurrence.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/25/2026House

  6. Reports READ.On motion of Representative GERE of Kennebunkport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "B" (S-558) 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 "B" (S-558). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/24/2026House

  7. COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "B" (S-558)Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    3/19/2026Senate

  8. Reports READOn motion by Senator CURRY of Waldo the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee Amendment "B" (S-558) Report ACCEPTED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 777 Yeas 22 - Nays 10 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "B" (S-558) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.

    3/18/2026Senate

  9. The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to COMMITTING the Bill and accompanying papers to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/20/2026House

  10. RECALLED From Governor's Desk pursuant to Joint Order SP 869. On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland Bill and accompanying papers were COMMITTED to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT in NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence

    1/13/2026Senate

  11. HELD BY THE GOVERNOR.

    7/8/2025Senate

  12. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

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

    6/25/2025House

  14. The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-227) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-479) thereto.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/25/2025House

  15. 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. On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-479) READ and ADOPTED. PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-227) and Senate Amendment "A" (S-479) In NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence

    6/25/2025Senate

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

    6/4/2025Senate

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

    6/3/2025House

  18. 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" (S-227).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/3/2025House

  19. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-227) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-227).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    6/2/2025Senate

  20. Received by the Secretary of the Senate on April 11, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2

    4/11/2025Senate

Bill Text

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