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MaineLD 1691132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Expand Access to Justice in Rural Maine by Incentivizing Attorneys to Practice in Underserved Areas

Sponsored By: Amy Kuhn (Democratic)

Became Law

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEMUNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM - LAW SCHOOL

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Debt help for Maine law students and lawyers

The law creates a state program that helps pay for law school or repay law school loans if you serve in an underserved Maine area. You must be a Maine resident for at least 2 years. Students can get up to $25,000 per year for up to 4 years, with a 10‑year repayment term unless forgiven. After law school, working in an underserved area forgives 25% of your original program loan each year, up to 100% after 4 years. Recent grads can get $25,000 a year for up to 4 years paid toward their existing law school loans while they keep doing qualifying work. If you stop the required service, you owe back what the program paid plus interest, with credit for each full year served. You must be enrolled or intend to enroll in an accredited law school with financial need, or have graduated within 5 years and be licensed or license‑eligible in Maine with outstanding loans.

Funding and rules for loan program

The Finance Authority runs a nonlapsing revolving fund for the program. It can take gifts, grants, donations, and state money, and invests repayments so earnings stay in the fund. The Authority may use part of annual repayments to recruit students and attorneys to serve in underserved areas and to help pay licensed attorneys’ education loans. The law authorizes $500 in 2025–26 and $500 in 2026–27 so the Authority can spend receipts. The Authority adopts routine rules to set eligibility, service credit, forgiveness, deferment, and repayment details.

Rural practice track at Maine Law

The University of Maine School of Law establishes a rural practice track if funds are available. Each year it provides a housing stipend equal to dorm costs for up to six first‑ or second‑year students from underserved areas or committed to serve them. It also offers internships, externships, and summer placements for up to six second‑ or third‑year students each term. The school builds a marketing plan and works with the Finance Authority and legal service groups. The University must submit an implementation plan by January 1, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Amy Kuhn

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam Lee

    Democratic • House

  • Anne M. Carney

    Democratic • Senate

  • David Sinclair

    Democratic • House

  • Eleanor Sato

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Poirier

    Republican • House

  • John Ducharme

    Republican • House

  • Kelly Murphy

    Democratic • House

  • Rachel Henderson

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 508

    5/1/2026

  2. HELD BY THE GOVERNOR.

    7/8/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/16/2025Senate

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

    6/13/2025House

  5. Taken from the table by the President pending Motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York The RAFFERTY of York Majority by Ought to Pass As Amended Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-325) 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-325), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    6/13/2025Senate

  6. Unfinished Business

    6/13/2025Senate

  7. Unfinished Business

    6/11/2025Senate

  8. Unfinished Business

    6/10/2025Senate

  9. Unfinished Business

    6/9/2025Senate

  10. Unfinished Business

    6/5/2025Senate

  11. Unfinished Business

    6/4/2025Senate

  12. Unfinished Business

    6/3/2025Senate

  13. Report READ Senator RAFFERTY of York moved to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report. On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending Motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-325) in concurrence Unfinished Business

    6/2/2025Senate

  14. Reports READ.On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-325) 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" (H-325). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/29/2025House

  15. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS in concurrence

    4/17/2025Senate

  16. Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/17/2025House

Bill Text

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