An Act to Ensure In-state Tuition for Postsecondary Students Who
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1255
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: RUDNICKI
Amends: 20-A MRSA §10018

Legislative Document
No. 1255
H.P. 830
House of Representatives, March 25, 2025
An Act to Ensure In-state Tuition for Postsecondary Students Who 
Are Registered to Vote in the State and to Amend Eligibility 
Requirements for the Free Community College Tuition Program
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative RUDNICKI of Fairfield.
Cosponsored by Representatives: BAGSHAW of Windham, CIMINO of Bridgton, HAGGAN 
of Hampden, QUINT of Hodgdon, WHITE of Guilford.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §10018 is enacted to read:
§10018.  In-state tuition for registered voters
A student who is registered to vote in this State is considered to be a resident of this 
State and is eligible for in-state tuition rates at any postsecondary educational institution in 
this State that offers an in-state tuition rate.
1.  Voting residency qualifications.  A student who is eligible for in-state tuition rates 
under this section must meet the residency qualifications in Title 21-A, sections 111 and 
112.
2.  Residency.  A student who is eligible for in-state tuition rates under this section 
may be:
A.  Considered a permanent resident, as defined in Title 36, section 681, subsection 4, 
for homestead property tax exemption purposes;
B.  Considered a resident, as defined in Title 36, section 4062, subsection 6, for estate 
tax purposes;
C.  Subject to resident income taxes pursuant to Title 36, chapter 823;
D.  Considered to be domiciled in the State for probate purposes pursuant to Title 18-C, 
section 1-301; and
E.  Eligible to run for state office pursuant to the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, 
Part First, Section 4; Article IV, Part Second, Section 6; and Article V, Part First, 
Section 4.
Additionally, a family member of a student who is eligible for in-state tuition rates under 
this section may be eligible for in-state tuition rates at a postsecondary educational 
institution in this State.
Sec. 2.  PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. QQQ, §3 is amended to read:
Sec. QQQ-3.  Eligibility and conditions for 2-year free community college 
tuition program.
1.  Eligibility. For purposes of this Part, an eligible student is:
A.  A high school graduate in the class of 2020 or 2021 or a person who obtains the 
equivalent of a high school diploma in 2020 or 2021, who enrolls in a Maine 
community college no later than during the 2023-2024 academic year;
B.  A high school graduate in the class of 2022 or a person who obtains the equivalent 
of a high school diploma in 2022, who enrolls in a Maine community college no later 
than the 2024-2025 academic year; 
C.  A high school graduate in the class of 2023 or a person who obtains the equivalent 
of a high school diploma in 2023, who enrolls in a Maine community college no later 
than the 2025-2026 academic year; 
D.  A high school graduate in the class of 2024 or a person who obtains the equivalent 
of a high school diploma in 2024, who enrolls in a Maine community college no later 
than the 2026-2027 academic year; or
E.  A high school graduate in the class of 2025 or a person who obtains the equivalent 
of a high school diploma in 2025, who enrolls in a Maine community college no later 
than the 2027-2028 academic year.
2.  Conditions.  In order to receive 2 years of free community college, an eligible 
student must:
A.  Pursue an associate degree or academic credential; 
B.  Reside in the State at the time of enrollment in a Maine community college and for 
the duration of that enrollment;
B-1.  Reside in the State for at least 2 years prior to enrollment in a Maine community 
college or be a graduate of a high school in the State;
C.  Accept all federal and state grants, scholarships and other sources of funding that 
are available and for which the student has applied and qualified; and
D.  Complete the program of study within 200% of the stated completion time.
SUMMARY
This bill provides that a student who is registered to vote in this State is considered to 
be a resident of this State and is eligible for in-state tuition rates at any postsecondary 
educational institution in this State that offers an in-state tuition rate. It provides that such 
a student must meet the voting residency qualifications and that the student may be 
considered a permanent resident for homestead property tax exemption purposes and a 
resident for estate tax purposes, subject to resident income taxes and eligible to run for state 
office. A family member of the student may be eligible for in-state tuition rates at a 
postsecondary educational institution in the State. The bill also requires a person to be a 
graduate of a high school in the State or reside in the State for at least 2 years prior to 
enrollment in a Maine community college in order to be eligible for free tuition in the 
Maine Community College System.