An Act To Create New Models of Maine Manufacturing Employment and Education
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 0515
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: SYLVESTER, JACKSON, CUDDY, O'NEIL, CHIPMAN
Amends: 20-A MRSA §11

Legislative Document
No. 515
H.P. 378
House of Representatives, February 19, 2021
An Act To Create New Models of Maine Manufacturing 
Employment and Education
Received by the Clerk of the House on February 17, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Education and Cultural Affairs pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to 
Joint Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative SYLVESTER of Portland.
Cosponsored by President JACKSON of Aroostook and
Representatives: CUDDY of Winterport, O'NEIL of Saco, Senator: CHIPMAN of 
Cumberland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §11, sub-§3, ¶D, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 346, §2, is 
amended to read:
D.  Devise strategies for promoting career and technical education alignment and 
supporting early career planning and transition supports from high school to college 
and to the workforce; and
Sec. 2.  20-A MRSA §11, sub-§3, ¶E, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 346, §2, is 
amended to read:
E.  Propose methods for integrating out-of-school programs focused on science, 
technology, engineering and mathematics with school-based programs, with the goal 
of inspiring more students to concentrate in the fields of science, technology, 
engineering and mathematics.; and
Sec. 3.  20-A MRSA §11, sub-§3, ¶F is enacted to read:
F.  Coordinate the development of higher education programs and public-private 
partnerships to enhance higher education and employment opportunities in the State in 
science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Sec. 4.  Science, technology, engineering and mathematics program 
development for education and employment. The Science, Technology, Engineering 
and Mathematics Council under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 11, 
referred to in this section as "the council," shall engage with the University of Maine 
System under Title 20-A, chapter 411, the Maine Community College System under Title 
20-A, chapter 431, adult education programs under Title 20-A, chapter 315, the Finance 
Authority of Maine under Title 10, section 964, the Loring Development Authority of 
Maine under Title 5, section 13080 and private sector stakeholders to develop proposals 
for the following programs and initiatives to promote new models of manufacturing 
education and employment in the State: 
1. A 5-year dual degree program through the University of Maine System in green 
technology and entrepreneurship, along with a scholarship program for students in the 
program and seed funding for business development in green manufacturing;
2. A 5-year dual degree program in educational communication and digital technology 
based at the University of Southern Maine and the University of Maine at Farmington to 
develop and prepare educators for remote communication, learning and training platforms; 
3. A dual degree program in accounting and green technology at the University of 
Maine at Presque Isle; 
4.  A platform for occupational licensing in educational communication and digital 
technology that addresses the needs of new residents of the State, including but not limited 
to immigrants and refugees; 
5. An associate degree program, supported by public-private funding, to train students 
in green engineering and technology based at Central Maine Community College; 
6. An apprenticeship program in green technology and employment, including but not 
limited to apprenticeships in solar farm development and operation;
7. One or more loan programs through the Finance Authority of Maine for graduates 
of educational and apprenticeship programs described in this section to develop new 
businesses; 
8.  A solar steam train facility based at the Loring Development Authority of Maine. 
The proposal must include, but is not limited to, tax incentives, financing from the Finance 
Authority of Maine, formation of a committee to oversee development and outreach to 
create a public-private partnership and shared ownership between the State and employees 
of the facility; and 
9. A committee to examine the transition to electric transportation infrastructure and 
development of manufacturing opportunities to support that transition. 
For the purposes of this section, "green" means relating to or concerned with reducing 
negative short-term and long-term effects on the environment.  
The council shall submit a report including the proposals required by this section to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs and the Joint Standing 
Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business. The 
report must be submitted no later than January 15, 2022.  After receipt of the report required 
by this section, a joint standing committee may report out a bill based upon the report to 
the Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Council to 
coordinate the development of higher education programs and public-private partnerships 
to enhance higher education and employment opportunities in the State in science, 
technology, engineering and mathematics. It directs the council to engage with the 
University of Maine System, the Maine Community College System, adult education 
programs, the Finance Authority of Maine, the Loring Development Authority of Maine 
and private sector stakeholders to develop proposals for a series of programs and initiatives 
to promote new models of manufacturing education and employment in the State.