An Act to Assist Schools with Heating and Transportation Fuel Costs During the School Year
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0386
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: DAVIS, MOORE, PERRY

Legislative Document
No. 386
H.P. 237
House of Representatives, January 31, 2023
An Act to Assist Schools with Heating and Transportation Fuel 
Costs During the School Year
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative DAVIS of East Machias.
Cosponsored by Senator MOORE of Washington and
Representative: PERRY of Calais.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, fuel prices have increased significantly and Maine schools are experiencing 
increased costs for heating fuel and fuel associated with transportation; and
Whereas, this legislation must be enacted before the expiration of the 90-day period 
to provide relief to schools during this school year; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  Fuel assistance.  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the 
Department of Education shall provide funds to public elementary and secondary schools 
in the State to support the increased costs of heating fuel and fuel associated with 
transportation.  The amount of the funding provided to individual public elementary and 
secondary schools in the State must be equal to $100 per student based on the most recent 
enrollment totals.  A school shall apply the funds to its 2022-2023 budget for heating fuel 
costs and fuel costs associated with transportation.  
Sec. 2.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
General Purpose Aid for Local Schools 0308
Initiative: Provides one-time funds to public elementary and secondary schools in the State 
for heating fuel costs and fuel costs associated with transportation during the 2022-2023 
school year.  The amount of funds to be distributed to individual public elementary and 
secondary schools in the State must be equal to $100 per student based on the most recent 
enrollment data.
GENERAL FUND
2022-23
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$18,000,000
$0
$0
__________
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$18,000,000
$0
$0
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill provides one-time funds to public elementary and secondary schools in the 
State for heating fuel costs and fuel costs associated with transportation during the 2022-
2023 school year.  The bill provides that the amount provided to individual public 
elementary and secondary schools in the State must be equal to $100 per student based on 
the most recent enrollment totals. A school must apply the funds to its 2022-2023 budget 
for heating fuel costs and fuel costs associated with transportation.