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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

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

Loan help for Maine law students and grads

The law creates the Access to Justice Loan Program. You can get up to $25,000 a year for up to 4 years to pay for law school or repay your law school loans. Each year you serve in an underserved area, 25% of your original law school debt is forgiven. Recent grads within 5 years who are licensed or eligible to practice in Maine can get repayment help tied to service. Loans are repaid within 10 years, and repayment starts when you finish or leave law school. The authority can allow deferments or extend terms and sets default and interest rules.

Loan program fund and small start-up money

The Finance Authority of Maine keeps a nonlapsing revolving fund for the loan program. The fund can take gifts, grants, donations, state money, and loan repayments, which are invested and earn interest. Principal is used for loans and repayment awards; interest can support the program or admin costs. The law adds $500 in 2025–26 and $500 in 2026–27 to the fund.

Rural law track with housing and internships

The University of Maine School of Law runs a rural practice track if funding is available. Each year, up to six first- or second-year students get a housing stipend that covers dorm costs at the University of Southern Maine. Up to six second- or third-year students get internships, externships, and summer placements in underserved areas. The university must submit an implementation plan by January 1, 2026.

Maine residency required for law loan aid

To qualify for the loan program, you must have lived in Maine for at least two years for reasons other than attending law school. The authority also considers your high school, your parents’ legal residence, where you are registered to vote, and where you pay taxes.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Amy Kuhn

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam LEE

    Affiliation unavailable

  • 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

    1/11/2026

  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

  • Amendment C-A (H-325), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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