An Act to Address Staffing Shortages in Critical Public Safety Jobs Through Economic Incentives
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0648
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
Sponsors: BALDACCI, O'CONNELL, ROEDER, SUPICA

Legislative Document
No. 648
S.P. 265
In Senate, February 14, 2023
An Act to Address Staffing Shortages in Critical Public Safety Jobs 
Through Economic Incentives
Reference to the Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and 
Business suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot.
Cosponsored by Representatives: O'CONNELL of Brewer, ROEDER of Bangor, SUPICA of 
Bangor.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA c. 419-E is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 419-E
FUND TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SERVICE STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS
§11681.  Fund to Provide Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
The Fund to Provide Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness is established as a 
nonlapsing fund under the jurisdiction and control of the Finance Authority of Maine.  All 
revenues credited to this fund must be distributed for the purpose of student loan 
forgiveness based on need for residents of the State who are local and county law 
enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services persons, dispatchers and 
public health workers. The Finance Authority of Maine shall award funds for the purpose 
of student loan forgiveness and adopt rules for determining eligibility for and terms and 
conditions of student loan forgiveness. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine 
technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. Interest earned on 
amounts in the fund may be used for the costs of administering the distribution of funds for 
the purpose of student loan forgiveness.
Sec. 2.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
FINANCE AUTHORITY OF MAINE
Finance Authority of Maine 0582
Initiative: Provides one-time funds to the Finance Authority of Maine to provide no-interest 
home mortgages to local and county law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency 
medical services persons, dispatchers and public health workers while they are serving in 
those positions.
GENERAL FUND
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$5,000,000
$0
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$5,000,000
$0
Fund to Provide Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness N421
Initiative: Provides one-time funds to the Fund to Provide Public Service Student Loan 
Forgiveness.
GENERAL FUND
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$5,000,000
$0
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$5,000,000
$0
FINANCE AUTHORITY OF MAINE
DEPARTMENT TOTALS
2023-24
2024-25
GENERAL FUND
$10,000,000
$0
__________
__________
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS
$10,000,000
$0
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Fund to Provide Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness in 
the Finance Authority of Maine to provide funds for student loan forgiveness for local and 
county law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services persons, 
dispatchers and public health workers.  It appropriates $5,000,000 to the fund.  It also 
appropriates $5,000,000 to the Finance Authority of Maine to provide no-interest home 
mortgages to local and county law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical 
services persons, dispatchers and public health workers while they are serving in those 
positions.