An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Infrastructure, Economic Development, Workforce Development and Energy and Environment Investment
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1836
Committee: Appropriations and Financial Affairs
Sponsors: BREEN, GATTINE
Amends: 35-A MRSA §10124

Legislative Document
No. 1836
S.P. 620
In Senate, June 5, 2019
An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Infrastructure, 
Economic Development, Workforce Development and Energy and 
Environment Investment
Reference to the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator BREEN of Cumberland.  (GOVERNOR'S BILL)
Cosponsored by Representative GATTINE of Westbrook.
Preamble.  Two thirds of both Houses of the Legislature deeming it necessary in 
accordance with the Constitution of Maine, Article IX, Section 14 to authorize the 
issuance of bonds on behalf of the State of Maine to provide funds as described in this 
Act,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
PART A
Sec. A-1.  Authorization of bonds.  The Treasurer of State is authorized, under 
the direction of the Governor, to issue bonds in the name and on behalf of the State in an 
amount not exceeding $105,000,000 for the purposes described in section 5 of this Part.  
The bonds are a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State.  The bonds may not run for 
a period longer than 10 years from the date of the original issue of the bonds.
Sec. A-2.  Records of bonds issued; Treasurer of State. The Treasurer of 
State shall ensure that an account of each bond is kept showing the number of the bond, 
the name of the successful bidder to whom sold, the amount received for the bond, the 
date of sale and the date when payable.
Sec. A-3.  Sale; how negotiated; proceeds appropriated.  The Treasurer of 
State may negotiate the sale of the bonds by direction of the Governor, but no bond may 
be loaned, pledged or hypothecated on behalf of the State.  The proceeds of the sale of the 
bonds, which must be held by the Treasurer of State and paid by the Treasurer of State 
upon warrants drawn by the State Controller, are appropriated solely for the purposes set 
forth in this Part.  Any unencumbered balances remaining at the completion of the project 
in this Part lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of 
general obligation bonds.
Sec. A-4.  Interest and debt retirement.  The Treasurer of State shall pay 
interest due or accruing on any bonds issued under this Part and all sums coming due for 
payment of bonds at maturity.
Sec. A-5.  Disbursement of bond proceeds from General Fund bond issue.  
The proceeds of the sale of the bonds authorized under this Part must be expended as 
designated in the following schedule under the direction and supervision of the agencies 
and entities set forth in this section.
Provides funds to construct, reconstruct or rehabilitate Priority 1, Priority 2 and 
Priority 3 state highways under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 23, section 73, 
subsection 7 and associated improvements, for the municipal partnership initiative 
and to replace and rehabilitate bridges.
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT 
OF
Total
$80,000,000
Provides funds for facilities or equipment related to ports, harbors, marine 
transportation, aviation, freight and passenger railroads, transit and bicycle and 
pedestrian trails that preserve public safety or otherwise have demonstrated high 
transportation economic value including property acquisition.
Provides funds for a competitive grant program that matches local funding for the 
upgrade of municipal culverts at stream crossings in order to improve fish and 
wildlife habitats and increase community safety. Eligible project sponsors include 
local governments, municipal conservation commissions, soil and water conservation 
districts and private nonprofit organizations. A proposal for funding from an eligible 
project sponsor must include a map and summary of the proposed project, describing 
how it meets the following criteria:
1.  Contribution to competitive grant program goals. The extent to which the 
proposed project allows communities to more effectively prepare for storm and flood 
events and advances the goals of restoring habitat for fish, including sea-run fish and 
native brook trout; and
2.  Cost-effectiveness. The extent to which the proposed project represents an 
efficient and cost-effective investment, including the proportion of total project 
funding that will be provided from other sources and the potential avoided costs 
associated with the proposed project. Funds may not be used to cover all of the costs 
associated with a proposed project.
Provides funds for the renovation of a wharf and bulkhead at the Gulf of Maine 
Research Institute in Portland to bring the wharf back into operation for a fishing 
vessel berthing resource to support marine research at sea, for commercial fishing 
access and for continued long-term marine job development.
Total
$20,000,000
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, 
DEPARTMENT OF
Total
$4,000,000
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY 
DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF
Total
$1,000,000
Sec. A-6.  Contingent upon ratification of bond issue.  Sections 1 to 5 do not 
become effective unless the people of the State ratify the issuance of the bonds as set 
forth in this Part.
Sec. A-7.  Appropriation balances at year-end.  At the end of each fiscal year, 
all unencumbered appropriation balances representing state money carry forward.  Bond 
proceeds that have not been expended within 10 years after the date of the sale of the 
bonds lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general 
obligation bonds.
Sec. A-8.  Bonds authorized but not issued.  Any bonds authorized but not 
issued within 5 years of ratification of this Part are deauthorized and may not be issued, 
except that the Legislature may, within 2 years after the expiration of that 5-year period, 
extend the period for issuing any remaining unissued bonds for an additional amount of 
time not to exceed 5 years.
Sec. A-9.  Referendum for ratification; submission at election; form of 
question; effective date.  This Part must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at 
a statewide election held in the month of November 2019. The municipal officers of this 
State shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, 
in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, to vote on the 
acceptance or rejection of this Part by voting on the following question:
"Do you favor a $105,000,000 bond issue for reconstruction and 
rehabilitation of highways and bridges and culverts at stream crossings, 
for the renovation of a wharf and bulkhead at the Gulf of Maine Research 
Institute in Portland and for facilities or equipment related to ports, 
harbors, marine transportation, freight and passenger railroads, aviation, 
transit and bicycle and pedestrian trails, to be used to match an estimated 
$137,000,000 in federal and other funds?"
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question 
and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within a corresponding square 
below the word "Yes" or "No."  The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and 
declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of 
State in the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature.  The Governor shall 
review the returns.  If a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of this Part, the 
Governor shall proclaim the result without delay and this Part becomes effective 30 days 
after the date of the proclamation.
The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all 
ballots, returns and copies of this Part necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
referendum.
PART B
Sec. B-1.  Authorization of bonds.  The Treasurer of State is authorized, under 
the direction of the Governor, to issue bonds in the name and on behalf of the State in an 
amount not exceeding $50,000,000 for the purposes described in section 6 of this Part.  
The bonds are a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State.  The bonds may not run for 
a period longer than 10 years from the date of the original issue of the bonds.
Sec. B-2.  Records of bonds issued; Treasurer of State. The Treasurer of 
State shall ensure that an account of each bond is kept showing the number of the bond, 
the name of the successful bidder to whom sold, the amount received for the bond, the 
date of sale and the date when payable.
Sec. B-3.  Sale; how negotiated; proceeds appropriated.  The Treasurer of 
State may negotiate the sale of the bonds by direction of the Governor, but no bond may 
be loaned, pledged or hypothecated on behalf of the State.  The proceeds of the sale of the 
bonds, which must be held by the Treasurer of State and paid by the Treasurer of State 
upon warrants drawn by the State Controller, are appropriated solely for the purposes set 
forth in this Part.  Any unencumbered balances remaining at the completion of the project 
in this Part lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of 
general obligation bonds.
Sec. B-4.  Interest and debt retirement.  The Treasurer of State shall pay 
interest due or accruing on any bonds issued under this Part and all sums coming due for 
payment of bonds at maturity.
Sec. B-5.  Disbursement of bond proceeds.  The Department of Economic and 
Community Development, in consultation with the Department of Marine Resources and 
the Maine Technology Institute, shall oversee the disbursement of bond proceeds and 
matching funds authorized pursuant to this Part in accordance with this section, except as 
otherwise provided. Awards of bond proceeds and matching funds must be made on a 
competitive basis following a request for proposal process.
1.  Successful applicants may include the following entities:
A.  A marine-based research program at a private or public university or a nonprofit 
research institution;
B.  Commercial fishing or aquaculture interests;
C. Community-based organizations committed to the growth of the local economy; 
and
D.  Private sector businesses.
2.  A successful application must also demonstrate potential for job creation and 
economic growth in one of the following areas:
A.  Traditional agricultural or commercial fishing interests;
B.  Marine-based or land-based aquaculture industry;
C.  Value-added seafood processing of marine resources or agricultural products; and
D.  Market development for Maine-based products.
Sec. B-6.  Allocations from General Fund bond issue.  The proceeds of the 
sale of the bonds authorized under this Part must be expended as designated in the 
following schedule.
Provides funds to the ConnectME Authority, as established in the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 33-F, for the provision of broadband 
Internet service in unserved and underserved areas.
Provides funds over 5 years to the Maine Technology Institute for research and 
development and commercialization as prioritized by the Maine Innovation Economy 
Advisory Board's most recent innovation economy action plan and the Office of 
Innovation's most recent science and technology action plan. The funds must be 
allocated in support of technological innovation leading to commercialization in the 
targeted sectors of life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental and 
renewable energy technology, information technology, composites and advanced 
materials and precision manufacturing. The funds must be awarded through a 
competitive process and to Maine-based public and private institutions to leverage 
matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis.
Provides funds for a competitive grant program that matches nonstate funding for 
infrastructure, equipment and technology upgrades that enable businesses and 
organizations to gain and hold market share and expand employment or preserve jobs 
in the State's marine resource and agricultural sectors.  Eligible project applicants 
include individuals, municipalities, private for-profit entities and public and private 
nonprofit organizations. 
CONNECTME AUTHORITY
Total
$30,000,000
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY 
DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF
Office of Innovation
Total
$15,000,000
MAINE TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
Total
$5,000,000
Sec. B-7.  Contingent upon ratification of bond issue.  Sections 1 to 6 do not 
become effective unless the people of the State ratify the issuance of the bonds as set 
forth in this Part.
Sec. B-8.  Appropriation balances at year-end.  At the end of each fiscal year, 
all unencumbered appropriation balances representing state money carry forward.  Bond 
proceeds that have not been expended within 10 years after the date of the sale of the 
bonds lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general 
obligation bonds.
Sec. B-9.  Bonds authorized but not issued.  Any bonds authorized but not 
issued within 5 years of ratification of this Part are deauthorized and may not be issued, 
except that the Legislature may, within 2 years after the expiration of that 5-year period, 
extend the period for issuing any remaining unissued bonds for an additional amount of 
time not to exceed 5 years.
Sec. B-10.  Referendum for ratification; submission at election; form of 
question; effective date.  This Part must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at 
a statewide election held in the month of November 2019.  The municipal officers of this 
State shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, 
in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, to vote on the 
acceptance or rejection of this Part by voting on the following question:
"Do you favor a $50,000,000 bond issue to invest in broadband 
infrastructure for unserved and underserved areas, the research and 
development and commercialization efforts prioritized by the Maine 
Technology Institute and job creation in the State's marine resource and 
agriculture sectors?"
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question 
and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within a corresponding square 
below the word "Yes" or "No."  The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and 
declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of 
State in the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature.  The Governor shall 
review the returns.  If a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of this Part, the 
Governor shall proclaim the result without delay and this Part becomes effective 30 days 
after the date of the proclamation.
The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all 
ballots, returns and copies of this Part necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
referendum.
PART C
Sec. C-1.  Authorization of bonds.  The Treasurer of State is authorized, under 
the direction of the Governor, to issue bonds in the name and on behalf of the State in an 
amount not exceeding $19,000,000 for the purposes described in section 5 of this Part.  
The bonds are a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State.  The bonds may not run for 
a period longer than 10 years from the date of the original issue of the bonds.
Sec. C-2.  Records of bonds issued; Treasurer of State. The Treasurer of 
State shall ensure that an account of each bond is kept showing the number of the bond, 
the name of the successful bidder to whom sold, the amount received for the bond, the 
date of sale and the date when payable.
Sec. C-3.  Sale; how negotiated; proceeds appropriated.  The Treasurer of 
State may negotiate the sale of the bonds by direction of the Governor, but no bond may 
be loaned, pledged or hypothecated on behalf of the State.  The proceeds of the sale of the 
bonds, which must be held by the Treasurer of State and paid by the Treasurer of State 
upon warrants drawn by the State Controller, are appropriated solely for the purposes set 
forth in this Part.  Any unencumbered balances remaining at the completion of the project 
in this Part lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of 
general obligation bonds.
Sec. C-4.  Interest and debt retirement.  The Treasurer of State shall pay 
interest due or accruing on any bonds issued under this Part and all sums coming due for 
payment of bonds at maturity.
Sec. C-5.  Disbursement of bond proceeds from General Fund bond issue.  
The proceeds of the sale of the bonds authorized under this Part must be expended as 
designated in the following schedule under the direction and supervision of the agencies 
and entities set forth in this section.
Provides funds to invest in a multitrade, flexible training center to allow the Maine 
Community College System to fund 2 mobile welding lab trailers. The trailers would 
provide 2 additional welding labs, providing the colleges the opportunity to increase 
welding training by 200%. Additionally, these trailers will allow the Maine 
Community College System to deliver welding training all over the State.
Provides funds to establish a combination of low-interest loans and grants to develop 
new child care options in all communities, to bring existing facilities and programs 
up to higher quality standards and to assist existing programs with higher quality 
standards in repaying existing loans and mortgage expenses during an expansion.
MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE 
SYSTEM
Total
$4,000,000
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY 
DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF
Total
$5,000,000
Provides funds for the State's share of maintenance, repair, capital improvement, 
modernization and energy efficiency projects for Maine Army National Guard 
readiness centers and support facilities.
Provides funds to make capital improvements to and purchase equipment that has a 
useful life of at least 5 years for career and technical education centers and regions.
Sec. C-6.  Contingent upon ratification of bond issue.  Sections 1 to 5 do not 
become effective unless the people of the State ratify the issuance of the bonds as set 
forth in this Part.
Sec. C-7.  Appropriation balances at year-end.  At the end of each fiscal year, 
all unencumbered appropriation balances representing state money carry forward.  Bond 
proceeds that have not been expended within 10 years after the date of the sale of the 
bonds lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general 
obligation bonds.
Sec. C-8.  Bonds authorized but not issued.  Any bonds authorized but not 
issued within 5 years of ratification of this Part are deauthorized and may not be issued, 
except that the Legislature may, within 2 years after the expiration of that 5-year period, 
extend the period for issuing any remaining unissued bonds for an additional amount of 
time not to exceed 5 years.
Sec. C-9.  Referendum for ratification; submission at election; form of 
question; effective date.  This Part must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at 
a statewide election held in the month of November 2019.  The municipal officers of this 
State shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, 
in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, to vote on the 
acceptance or rejection of this Part by voting on the following question:
DEFENSE, VETERANS AND 
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, 
DEPARTMENT OF
Total
$5,000,000
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
Total
$5,000,000
TOTAL
$19,000,000
"Do you favor a $19,000,000 bond issue to invest in Maine Community 
College training, in child care services, in Maine Army National Guard 
readiness centers and support facilities and in career and technical 
education centers?"
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question 
and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within a corresponding square 
below the word "Yes" or "No."  The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and 
declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of 
State in the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature.  The Governor shall 
review the returns.  If a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of this Part, the 
Governor shall proclaim the result without delay and this Part becomes effective 30 days 
after the date of the proclamation.
The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all 
ballots, returns and copies of this Part necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
referendum.
PART D
Sec. D-1.  Authorization of bonds.  The Treasurer of State is authorized, under 
the direction of the Governor, to issue bonds in the name and on behalf of the State in an 
amount not exceeding $65,000,000 for the purposes described in section 6 of this Part.  
The bonds are a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State.  The bonds may not run for 
a period longer than 10 years from the date of the original issue of the bonds.
Sec. D-2.  Records of bonds issued; Treasurer of State. The Treasurer of 
State shall ensure that an account of each bond is kept showing the number of the bond, 
the name of the successful bidder to whom sold, the amount received for the bond, the 
date of sale and the date when payable.
Sec. D-3.  Sale; how negotiated; proceeds appropriated.  The Treasurer of 
State may negotiate the sale of the bonds by direction of the Governor, but no bond may 
be loaned, pledged or hypothecated on behalf of the State.  The proceeds of the sale of the 
bonds, which must be held by the Treasurer of State and paid by the Treasurer of State 
upon warrants drawn by the State Controller, are appropriated solely for the purposes set 
forth in this Part.  Any unencumbered balances remaining at the completion of the project 
in this Part lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of 
general obligation bonds.
Sec. D-4.  Interest and debt retirement.  The Treasurer of State shall pay 
interest due or accruing on any bonds issued under this Part and all sums coming due for 
payment of bonds at maturity.
Sec. D-5.  Disbursement of bond proceeds.  The proceeds of the bonds must be 
expended as set out in this Part under the direction and supervision of the Department of 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the Department of Environmental Protection and 
the Efficiency Maine Trust.
1. The proceeds of the bonds for the Land for Maine's Future Board as set out in 
section 6 must be expended by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
for acquisition of land and interest in land for conservation, water access, outdoor 
recreation, wildlife or fish habitat, farmland preservation in accordance with the 
provisions for such acquisitions under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 353 
and working waterfront preservation in accordance with the terms of Public Law 2005, 
chapter 462, Part B, section 6, including all costs associated with such acquisitions, 
except that use of the proceeds of these bonds is subject to the following conditions and 
requirements.
A. Hunting, fishing, trapping and public access may not be prohibited on land 
acquired with bond proceeds, except to the extent of applicable state, local or federal 
laws, rules and regulations and except for working waterfront projects and farmland 
protection projects.
B. Payment from bond proceeds for acquisitions of local or regional significance, as 
determined by the Land for Maine's Future Board, may be made directly to 
cooperating entities as defined in Title 5, section 6201, subsection 2 for acquisition of 
land and interest in land by cooperating entities, subject to terms and conditions 
enforceable by the State to ensure its use for the purposes of this Part. In addition to 
the considerations required under Title 5, chapter 353, the board shall give a 
preference to acquisitions under this paragraph that achieve benefits for multiple 
towns and that address regional conservation needs including public recreational 
access, wildlife, open space and farmland.
C. The bond funds expended for conservation, recreation, working waterfronts, 
farmland and water access must be matched with at least $30,000,000 in public and 
private contributions. Seventy percent of that amount must be in the form of cash or 
other tangible assets, including the value of land and real property interest acquired 
by or contributed to cooperating entities, as defined in Title 5, section 6201, 
subsection 2, when property interests have a direct relationship to the property 
proposed for protection, as determined by the Land for Maine's Future Board. The 
remaining 30% may be matching contributions and may include the value of project-
related, in-kind contributions of goods and services to and by cooperating entities.
D. Because portions of the State have deer populations that are struggling and deer 
wintering habitat protection is vital to the survival and enhancement of these 
populations, projects that conserve and protect deer wintering areas are considered to 
have special value and must receive preferential consideration during scoring of new 
applications for support under Title 5, chapter 353.
E. To the extent the purposes are consistent with the disbursement provisions in this 
Part, 100% of the bond proceeds may be considered as state match for any federal 
funding to be made available to the State.
2. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the Department of 
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall take a proactive approach to pursuing land 
conservation projects that include conservation of priority deer wintering areas. Priority 
deer wintering areas are of at least 500 acres or contiguous with existing conservation 
land so that the combined acreage constitutes at least 500 acres, have been historically 
used by deer at some point since 1950 and are capable of providing shelter for deer on the 
effective date of this Part or within 20 years. The Department of Inland Fisheries and 
Wildlife shall include in conservation negotiations under this section provisions for the 
appropriate management of priority deer wintering areas. Land and interest in land 
purchased by the State that contains priority deer wintering areas must be managed using 
protocol provided by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
3. Of the bond proceeds allocated to the Land for Maine's Future Board, at least 5% 
must be made available to acquire public access to water in accordance with Title 5, 
section 6203-A.
4.  Of the bond proceeds allocated to the Land for Maine's Future Board, at least 10% 
must be made available to protect farmland in accordance with Title 5, section 6207.
5.  Of the bond proceeds allocated to the Land for Maine's Future Board, at least 10% 
must be made available to protect working waterfront properties in accordance with 
Public Law 2005, chapter 462, Part B, section 6.
6.  The Efficiency Maine Trust shall use funds provided pursuant to the General Fund 
bond issue authorized under this Part to make grants to municipalities, or municipally 
authorized citizen committees acting on a municipality's behalf, and school administrative 
units to support investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy infrastructure 
through the Municipal Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program established 
under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 10124.
Sec. D-6.  Allocations from General Fund bond issue.  The proceeds of the 
sale of the bonds authorized under this Part must be expended as designated in the 
following schedule.
Provides funds in order to leverage $30,000,000 in matching contributions from 
public and private sources to be used for the acquisition of land and interest in land 
for conservation; water access; wildlife or fish habitat including deer wintering areas; 
outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing; and working farmland preservation 
and working waterfront preservation. No more than $10,000,000 may be issued in the 
first year by the Land for Maine's Future Board and no more than $10,000,000 may 
be issued by the Land for Maine's Future Board in each of the 2 subsequent years, 
except that any unused balance may be added to the specified amount in subsequent 
years.
AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION 
AND FORESTRY, DEPARTMENT OF
Land for Maine's Future Board
Total
$30,000,000
Provides funds for state match on federal superfund sites, uncontrolled hazardous 
substance site investigation and remediation and response actions at sites 
contaminated with emerging pollutants like perfluoroalky and polyfluoroalkyl 
substances, at dry-cleaner sites and at brownfield sites. 
Provides funds for wastewater treatment facility planning, construction grants and 
hydrographic modeling, prioritizing areas with high-value shellfish resources. 
Provides funds to purchase solar arrays, high-efficiency ductless heat pumps and 
high-efficiency modern wood heating systems for buildings and property owned by 
municipalities and school administrative units.
Sec. D-7.  Contingent upon ratification of bond issue.  Sections 1 to 6 do not 
become effective unless the people of the State ratify the issuance of the bonds as set 
forth in this Part.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, 
DEPARTMENT OF
Uncontrolled hazardous substance site 
program
Total
$15,000,000
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, 
DEPARTMENT OF
Wastewater treatment facility planning 
and construction grants
Total
$5,000,000
EFFICIENCY MAINE TRUST
Municipal Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy Program
Total
$15,000,000
TOTAL
$65,000,000
Sec. D-8.  Appropriation balances at year-end.  At the end of each fiscal year, 
all unencumbered appropriation balances representing state money carry forward.  Bond 
proceeds that have not been expended within 10 years after the date of the sale of the 
bonds lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general 
obligation bonds.
Sec. D-9.  Bonds authorized but not issued.  Any bonds authorized but not 
issued within 5 years of ratification of this Part are deauthorized and may not be issued, 
except that the Legislature may, within 2 years after the expiration of that 5-year period, 
extend the period for issuing any remaining unissued bonds for an additional amount of 
time not to exceed 5 years.
Sec. D-10.  Referendum for ratification; submission at election; form of 
question; effective date.  This Part must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at 
a statewide election held in the month of November 2019.  The municipal officers of this 
State shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, 
in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, to vote on the 
acceptance or rejection of this Part by voting on the following question:
"Do you favor a $65,000,000 bond issue to protect Maine's environment 
by investing in land conservation, water access, wildlife habitat, outdoor 
recreation opportunities, including hunting and fishing, farmland and 
working waterfronts and by supporting environmental clean-up efforts 
and promotion of renewable energy projects?"
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question 
and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within a corresponding square 
below the word "Yes" or "No."  The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and 
declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of 
State in the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature.  The Governor shall 
review the returns.  If a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of this Part, the 
Governor shall proclaim the result without delay and this Part becomes effective 30 days 
after the date of the proclamation.
The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all 
ballots, returns and copies of this Part necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
referendum.
PART E
Sec. E-1.  35-A MRSA §10124 is enacted to read:
§10124.  Municipal Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program
1.  Established.  The Municipal Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program, 
referred to in this section as "the program," is established as a program of the trust to 
support municipalities and school administrative units in reducing energy costs, reducing 
carbon emissions, facilitating the development of renewable energy resources and 
creating local jobs related to the building of renewable energy facilities and the 
installation of energy-efficient equipment.
2.  Eligibility.  Municipalities and municipally authorized citizen committees acting 
on behalf of a municipality and school administrative units are eligible to participate in 
the program.
3.  Technical assistance.  The trust shall provide participants in the program 
described under subsection 2 with technical assistance, in coordination with other state 
agencies, to support the activities of the program.  Technical assistance under this 
subsection must include, but is not limited to, provision of a model as-of-right solar 
zoning ordinance and support in developing energy efficiency plans.
4.  Awards.  The trust may award nonrefundable grants to participants in the program 
described under subsection 2 to support the installation of a municipally owned or school 
administrative unit-owned solar array, high-efficiency ductless heat pump system, high-
efficiency modern wood heating system or a combination of these arrays and systems.  
The trust shall issue a periodic request for proposals seeking project applications when 
funding is available.  The trust shall prioritize proportionate geographic distribution of 
funds and equitable distribution of funds considering factors such as municipal 
population size.  The trust may also consider whether an applicant has taken steps to 
improve energy efficiency as demonstrated by factors including, but not limited to, 
adoption of a solar zoning ordinance or completion of an energy efficiency audit.
5.  Funding.  The program may receive funding from:
A.  Proceeds of bonds issued for the purposes of this section; and
B.  Any other funds allocated by the trust for the purposes of this section.
Municipalities participating in the program must match state grant funding at a ratio 
determined by the trust, taking into consideration proportionate geographic distribution of 
funds and equitable distribution of funds.  Matching funds may come from any 
municipally authorized source, including federal programs and nonprofit organizations.
Sec. E-2.  Contingent effective date. This Part takes effect only if the General 
Fund bond issue proposed in Part D, section 10 is approved by the voters of this State.
SUMMARY
PART A
Part A provides a bond issue in the amount of $105,000,000.
Funds in the amount of $100,000,000 will be used for reconstruction and 
rehabilitation of highways and bridges and for facilities or equipment related to ports, 
harbors, marine transportation, freight and passenger railroads, aviation, transit and 
bicycle and pedestrian trails, matching an estimated $137,000,000 per year in federal and 
other funds.
Funds in the amount of $4,000,000 will be used for a competitive grant program that 
matches local funding for the upgrade of municipal culverts at stream crossings in order 
to improve fish and wildlife habitats and to allow communities to better prepare for 
extreme storms and floods.
Funds in the amount of $1,000,000 will be used to complete the renovation of a wharf 
and bulkhead at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland to bring the wharf back 
into operation for a fishing vessel berthing resource to support marine research at sea, for 
commercial fishing access and for continued long-term marine job development.
PART B
The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $50,000,000, will be used to 
invest in community broadband infrastructure, economic development and job creation.
PART C
The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $19,000,000, will be used to 
invest in Maine Community College training, in child care services, in Maine Army 
National Guard readiness centers and support facilities and in career and technical 
education centers.
PART D
The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $65,000,000, will be used to 
protect Maine's environment by investing in land conservation, water access, wildlife 
habitat, outdoor recreation opportunities, including hunting and fishing, farmland and 
working waterfronts and by supporting environmental clean-up efforts and promotion of 
renewable energy projects.
Funds provided in this Part for the Efficiency Maine Trust, in the amount of 
$15,000,000, will be used to purchase solar arrays, high-efficiency ductless heat pumps 
and high-efficiency modern wood heating systems for buildings and property owned by 
municipalities and school administrative units and will fund the Municipal Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program under Part E.
PART E
Part E establishes the Municipal Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program 
within the Efficiency Maine Trust to support municipalities and municipally authorized 
citizen committees and school administrative units across the State in reducing energy 
costs, reducing carbon emissions, facilitating the development of renewable energy 
resources and creating local jobs related to the building of renewable energy facilities and 
the installation of energy-efficient equipment.  It funds the program with the proceeds of 
bonds, including bonds issued pursuant to Part D, any other funds allocated by the trust 
and matching funds from participating municipalities.
Part E takes effect only if the bond issue under Part D is approved by the voters of the 
State.