All Roll Calls
Yes: 22 • No: 11
MaineLD 2109132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET
An Act to Define "Public Education" and Clarify That a Private School Receiving Approval for Public Tuition Must Be Located in the State
Sponsored By: Michael Brennan (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
EDUCATIONAL OPTIONSEDUCATIONAL OPTIONS - PRIVATE SCHOOLS
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Tuition support continues for already-enrolled students
The law preserves public tuition support for some Maine students already attending out-of-state private schools. The school must have been approved for public tuition payments before the law took effect. The student must have been enrolled there through Maine’s public tuition program on the law’s effective date. The school must keep meeting all other approval requirements except the in-state location rule. Payments can continue until the student completes secondary school at that school.
New publicly funded school rules for families
The law defines public education as mainly publicly funded and free for students in kindergarten through grade 12. It must meet all state and federal education requirements for enrolled students and Maine education law’s section 1001(8). Private schools receiving public tuition payments must be incorporated under Maine law. Their teaching facilities and administrative offices must also be in Maine. These rules limit which private schools qualify for public tuition payments.
Maine changes accounting for school funding
Maine’s education department must transfer recorded spending when casino revenue supports annual public preschool and kindergarten-through-grade-12 funding. Spending moves from the General Purpose Aid for Local Schools account in the General Fund. It moves to the K-12 Essential Programs and Services account in Other Special Revenue Funds. This accounting rule supports financial obligations and cash-flow needs. The law specifies no amount.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Michael Brennan
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/17/2026
ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT
Yes: 22 • No: 11
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 632
4/3/2026PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
3/24/2026SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/19/2026HouseCOMMITTEE 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 "A" (H-838), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.
3/18/2026SenateReports READOn motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 766 Yeas 22 - Nays 11 - Excused 2 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-838) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
3/17/2026SenateReports 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-838) 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-838). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/12/2026HouseThe Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS in concurrence
1/7/2026SenateCommittee 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.
1/7/2026House
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (H-838), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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