An Act to Strengthen
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1474
Committee Amendment CA_A_H577 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " /\" to H,P, 966, L,D. 1474, "An Act to Strengthen
the Teaching ofWabanaki Studies in Maine Schools"
Amend the bill in section 1 in §14 in subsection 1 in paragraph D by striking out all of
subparagraph (2) (page 1, line 18 in L.D.).
Amend the bill in section 1 m §14 in subsection 1 in paragraph D by renumbering the
subparagraphs to read consecutively.
Amend the bill in section 1 in §14 by striking out all of the 2nd indented paragraph
(page 1, Imes 31 to 34 in L,D.).
Amend the bill in section 4 in subsection 4 in the first blocked paragraph in the first
line (page 2, line 31 in L.D.) by striking out the following; "The" and inserting the
following: 'Begmning July 1 . 2026. the'
Amend the bill in section 4 in subsection 4 in the first blocked paragraph in the first
line (page 2, line 31 in L.D.) by striking out the following; "periodically" and insertmg the
following: 'no less than biannuallv'
Amend the bill in section 5 in subsection 11 in the first luie (page 2, line 35m L,D.)
by striking out the following: "shall" and mserting the following: 'may'
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 6 and insertmg the following:
'See. 6. State Board of Education to evaluate rules. The State Board of
Education shall, no later than July 1,2026, evaluate whether the adoption of rules requiring
the completion of a Wabanaki studies component in the qualifications for certifying
teachers is necessary,
Sec. 7. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made.
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
Office of Workforce Development and Innovative Pathways Z334
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
lO*^-' COMMTTTEE AMENDMENT " ^" to H.P. 966, L.D. 1474
2025-26
0.000
$0
$0
2026-27
1,000
$147,958
$9,328
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds to contmue and make permanent one State Education
Representative position currently serving as the Wabanaki studies specialist.
GENERAL FUND
POSITIONS - LEGISLATTVE COUNT
Personal Services
All Other
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $0 $157,286
Office of Workforce Development and Innovative Pathways Z334
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds for a contracted review team to study the Wabanaki
studies curricula to assess its implementation.
GENERAL FUND 2025-26 2026-27
AllOther $0 $100,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $0 $100,000
Office of Workforce Development and Innovative Pathways Z334
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds to support the contracted Wabanaki advisors and for
professional development, framing and technical assistance.
GENERAL FUND 2025-26 2026-27
AllOther $0 $65,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $0 $65,000
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
DEPARTMENT TOTALS 2025-26 2026-27
2627 GENERAL FUND $0 $322,286
DEPARTMENT TOTAL-ALL FUNDS $0 $322,286
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbermg any nonconsecutive Part letter or section
number to read consecutively.
SUMMARY
This amendment removes the requu-ement for the Wabanaki studies specialist to make
recommendations on the funding of Wabanaki studies instruction. The amendment
removes from the bill statutory language that requires the Department of Education to fund
the work of the specialist and contracted advisors, as well as for the implementation of a
teacher education program. The amendment authorizes the State Board of Education to
adopt rules to require a Wabanaki studies component for teacher certification and requires
the board to evaluate whether to adopt such rules no later than July 1, 2026. The
amendment requu'es that the department begin study of the Wabanaki studies curricula at
least biannually beginning July 1, 2026. The amendment also adds an appropriations and
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " fL" to H.P. 966, L.D. 1474
i05.1 allocations section, which provides ongoing funds for the specialist position, curricula
review and professional development.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Revised: 05/31/25 S^KS^
LD 1474 LR 2162(02)
An Act to Strengthen the Teaching ofWabanaki Studies in Maine Schools
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "^'
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Projections Projections
FY 2025-26 FY 2026-27 FY 2027-28 FY 2028-29
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $0 $322,286 $326,725 $331,297
Appropriations/AIlocations
General Fund $0 $322,286 $326,725 $331,297
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill includes ongoing General Fund appropriations totaling $322,286 in fiscal year 2026-27 to continue and make
permanent one State Education Representative position currently serving as the Wabanaki studies specialist funded by
financial order through fiscal year 2025-26 and for related All Other costs to support the work necessary to ensure the
inclusion ofWabanaki studies in the parameters for essential instmction and graduation requirements
LR2162(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1