SP0621, LD 1836, item 1, An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Infrastructure, Economic Development, Workforce Development and Energy and Environment Investment

An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Infrastructure, Economic Development, Workforce Development and Energy and Environment Investment

Preamble. Two thirds of both Houses of the Legislature deeming it necessary in accordance with the Constitution of Maine, Article IX, Section 14 to authorize the issuance of bonds on behalf of the State of Maine to provide funds as described in this Act,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

PART A

Sec. A-1. Authorization of bonds. The Treasurer of State is authorized, under the direction of the Governor, to issue bonds in the name and on behalf of the State in an amount not exceeding $105,000,000 for the purposes described in section 5 of this Part. The bonds are a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State. The bonds may not run for a period longer than 10 years from the date of the original issue of the bonds.

Sec. A-2. Records of bonds issued; Treasurer of State. The Treasurer of State shall ensure that an account of each bond is kept showing the number of the bond, the name of the successful bidder to whom sold, the amount received for the bond, the date of sale and the date when payable.

Sec. A-3. Sale; how negotiated; proceeds appropriated. The Treasurer of State may negotiate the sale of the bonds by direction of the Governor, but no bond may be loaned, pledged or hypothecated on behalf of the State. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds, which must be held by the Treasurer of State and paid by the Treasurer of State upon warrants drawn by the State Controller, are appropriated solely for the purposes set forth in this Part. Any unencumbered balances remaining at the completion of the project in this Part lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general obligation bonds.

Sec. A-4. Interest and debt retirement. The Treasurer of State shall pay interest due or accruing on any bonds issued under this Part and all sums coming due for payment of bonds at maturity.

Sec. A-5. Disbursement of bond proceeds from General Fund bond issue. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds authorized under this Part must be expended as designated in the following schedule under the direction and supervision of the agencies and entities set forth in this section.

TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF

Provides funds to construct, reconstruct or rehabilitate Priority 1, Priority 2 and Priority 3 state highways under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 23, section 73, subsection 7 and associated improvements, for the municipal partnership initiative and to replace and rehabilitate bridges.

Total $80,000,000

Provides funds for facilities or equipment related to ports, harbors, marine transportation, aviation, freight and passenger railroads, transit and bicycle and pedestrian trails that preserve public safety or otherwise have demonstrated high transportation economic value including property acquisition.

Total $20,000,000

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF

Provides funds for a competitive grant program that matches local funding for the upgrade of municipal culverts at stream crossings in order to improve fish and wildlife habitats and increase community safety. Eligible project sponsors include local governments, municipal conservation commissions, soil and water conservation districts and private nonprofit organizations. A proposal for funding from an eligible project sponsor must include a map and summary of the proposed project, describing how it meets the following criteria:

1. Contribution to competitive grant program goals. The extent to which the proposed project allows communities to more effectively prepare for storm and flood events and advances the goals of restoring habitat for fish, including sea-run fish and native brook trout; and

2. Cost-effectiveness. The extent to which the proposed project represents an efficient and cost-effective investment, including the proportion of total project funding that will be provided from other sources and the potential avoided costs associated with the proposed project. Funds may not be used to cover all of the costs associated with a proposed project.

Total $4,000,000

ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF

Provides funds for the renovation of a wharf and bulkhead at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland to bring the wharf back into operation for a fishing vessel berthing resource to support marine research at sea, for commercial fishing access and for continued long-term marine job development.

Total $1,000,000

Sec. A-6. Contingent upon ratification of bond issue. Sections 1 to 5 do not become effective unless the people of the State ratify the issuance of the bonds as set forth in this Part.

Sec. A-7. Appropriation balances at year-end. At the end of each fiscal year, all unencumbered appropriation balances representing state money carry forward. Bond proceeds that have not been expended within 10 years after the date of the sale of the bonds lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general obligation bonds.

Sec. A-8. Bonds authorized but not issued. Any bonds authorized but not issued within 5 years of ratification of this Part are deauthorized and may not be issued, except that the Legislature may, within 2 years after the expiration of that 5-year period, extend the period for issuing any remaining unissued bonds for an additional amount of time not to exceed 5 years.

Sec. A-9. Referendum for ratification; submission at election; form of question; effective date. This Part must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at a statewide election held in the month of November 2019. The municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, to vote on the acceptance or rejection of this Part by voting on the following question:

"Do you favor a $105,000,000 bond issue for reconstruction and rehabilitation of highways and bridges and culverts at stream crossings, for the renovation of a wharf and bulkhead at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland and for facilities or equipment related to ports, harbors, marine transportation, freight and passenger railroads, aviation, transit and bicycle and pedestrian trails, to be used to match an estimated $137,000,000 in federal and other funds?"

The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within a corresponding square below the word "Yes" or "No." The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of State in the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature. The Governor shall review the returns. If a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of this Part, the Governor shall proclaim the result without delay and this Part becomes effective 30 days after the date of the proclamation.

The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of this Part necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum.

PART B

Sec. B-1. Authorization of bonds. The Treasurer of State is authorized, under the direction of the Governor, to issue bonds in the name and on behalf of the State in an amount not exceeding $50,000,000 for the purposes described in section 6 of this Part. The bonds are a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State. The bonds may not run for a period longer than 10 years from the date of the original issue of the bonds.

Sec. B-2. Records of bonds issued; Treasurer of State. The Treasurer of State shall ensure that an account of each bond is kept showing the number of the bond, the name of the successful bidder to whom sold, the amount received for the bond, the date of sale and the date when payable.

Sec. B-3. Sale; how negotiated; proceeds appropriated. The Treasurer of State may negotiate the sale of the bonds by direction of the Governor, but no bond may be loaned, pledged or hypothecated on behalf of the State. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds, which must be held by the Treasurer of State and paid by the Treasurer of State upon warrants drawn by the State Controller, are appropriated solely for the purposes set forth in this Part. Any unencumbered balances remaining at the completion of the project in this Part lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general obligation bonds.

Sec. B-4. Interest and debt retirement. The Treasurer of State shall pay interest due or accruing on any bonds issued under this Part and all sums coming due for payment of bonds at maturity.

Sec. B-5. Disbursement of bond proceeds. The Department of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Department of Marine Resources and the Maine Technology Institute, shall oversee the disbursement of bond proceeds and matching funds authorized pursuant to this Part in accordance with this section, except as otherwise provided. Awards of bond proceeds and matching funds must be made on a competitive basis following a request for proposal process.

1. Successful applicants may include the following entities:

A. A marine-based research program at a private or public university or a nonprofit research institution;

B. Commercial fishing or aquaculture interests;

C. Community-based organizations committed to the growth of the local economy; and

D. Private sector businesses.

2. A successful application must also demonstrate potential for job creation and economic growth in one of the following areas:

A. Traditional agricultural or commercial fishing interests;

B. Marine-based or land-based aquaculture industry;

C. Value-added seafood processing of marine resources or agricultural products; and

D. Market development for Maine-based products.

Sec. B-6. Allocations from General Fund bond issue. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds authorized under this Part must be expended as designated in the following schedule.

CONNECTME AUTHORITY

Provides funds to the ConnectME Authority, as established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 33-F, for the provision of broadband Internet service in unserved and underserved areas.

Total $30,000,000

ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF

Office of Innovation

Provides funds over 5 years to the Maine Technology Institute for research and development and commercialization as prioritized by the Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board's most recent innovation economy action plan and the Office of Innovation's most recent science and technology action plan. The funds must be allocated in support of technological innovation leading to commercialization in the targeted sectors of life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental and renewable energy technology, information technology, composites and advanced materials and precision manufacturing. The funds must be awarded through a competitive process and to Maine-based public and private institutions to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis.

Total $15,000,000

MAINE TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE

Provides funds for a competitive grant program that matches nonstate funding for infrastructure, equipment and technology upgrades that enable businesses and organizations to gain and hold market share and expand employment or preserve jobs in the State's marine resource and agricultural sectors. Eligible project applicants include individuals, municipalities, private for-profit entities and public and private nonprofit organizations.

Total $5,000,000

Sec. B-7. Contingent upon ratification of bond issue. Sections 1 to 6 do not become effective unless the people of the State ratify the issuance of the bonds as set forth in this Part.

Sec. B-8. Appropriation balances at year-end. At the end of each fiscal year, all unencumbered appropriation balances representing state money carry forward. Bond proceeds that have not been expended within 10 years after the date of the sale of the bonds lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general obligation bonds.

Sec. B-9. Bonds authorized but not issued. Any bonds authorized but not issued within 5 years of ratification of this Part are deauthorized and may not be issued, except that the Legislature may, within 2 years after the expiration of that 5-year period, extend the period for issuing any remaining unissued bonds for an additional amount of time not to exceed 5 years.

Sec. B-10. Referendum for ratification; submission at election; form of question; effective date. This Part must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at a statewide election held in the month of November 2019. The municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, to vote on the acceptance or rejection of this Part by voting on the following question:

"Do you favor a $50,000,000 bond issue to invest in broadband infrastructure for unserved and underserved areas, the research and development and commercialization efforts prioritized by the Maine Technology Institute and job creation in the State's marine resource and agriculture sectors?"

The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of this Part necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum.

PART C

Sec. C-1. Authorization of bonds. The Treasurer of State is authorized, under the direction of the Governor, to issue bonds in the name and on behalf of the State in an amount not exceeding $19,000,000 for the purposes described in section 5 of this Part. The bonds are a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State. The bonds may not run for a period longer than 10 years from the date of the original issue of the bonds.

Sec. C-2. Records of bonds issued; Treasurer of State. The Treasurer of State shall ensure that an account of each bond is kept showing the number of the bond, the name of the successful bidder to whom sold, the amount received for the bond, the date of sale and the date when payable.

Sec. C-3. Sale; how negotiated; proceeds appropriated. The Treasurer of State may negotiate the sale of the bonds by direction of the Governor, but no bond may be loaned, pledged or hypothecated on behalf of the State. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds, which must be held by the Treasurer of State and paid by the Treasurer of State upon warrants drawn by the State Controller, are appropriated solely for the purposes set forth in this Part. Any unencumbered balances remaining at the completion of the project in this Part lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general obligation bonds.

Sec. C-4. Interest and debt retirement. The Treasurer of State shall pay interest due or accruing on any bonds issued under this Part and all sums coming due for payment of bonds at maturity.

Sec. C-5. Disbursement of bond proceeds from General Fund bond issue. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds authorized under this Part must be expended as designated in the following schedule under the direction and supervision of the agencies and entities set forth in this section.

MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM

Provides funds to invest in a multitrade, flexible training center to allow the Maine Community College System to fund 2 mobile welding lab trailers. The trailers would provide 2 additional welding labs, providing the colleges the opportunity to increase welding training by 200%. Additionally, these trailers will allow the Maine Community College System to deliver welding training all over the State.

Total $4,000,000

ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF

Provides funds to establish a combination of low-interest loans and grants to develop new child care options in all communities, to bring existing facilities and programs up to higher quality standards and to assist existing programs with higher quality standards in repaying existing loans and mortgage expenses during an expansion.

Total $5,000,000

DEFENSE, VETERANS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF

Provides funds for the State's share of maintenance, repair, capital improvement, modernization and energy efficiency projects for Maine Army National Guard readiness centers and support facilities.

Total $5,000,000

EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF

Provides funds to make capital improvements to and purchase equipment that has a useful life of at least 5 years for career and technical education centers and regions.

Total $5,000,000

TOTAL $19,000,000

Sec. C-6. Contingent upon ratification of bond issue. Sections 1 to 5 do not become effective unless the people of the State ratify the issuance of the bonds as set forth in this Part.

Sec. C-7. Appropriation balances at year-end. At the end of each fiscal year, all unencumbered appropriation balances representing state money carry forward. Bond proceeds that have not been expended within 10 years after the date of the sale of the bonds lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general obligation bonds.

Sec. C-8. Bonds authorized but not issued. Any bonds authorized but not issued within 5 years of ratification of this Part are deauthorized and may not be issued, except that the Legislature may, within 2 years after the expiration of that 5-year period, extend the period for issuing any remaining unissued bonds for an additional amount of time not to exceed 5 years.

Sec. C-9. Referendum for ratification; submission at election; form of question; effective date. This Part must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at a statewide election held in the month of November 2019. The municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, to vote on the acceptance or rejection of this Part by voting on the following question:

"Do you favor a $19,000,000 bond issue to invest in Maine Community College training, in child care services, in Maine Army National Guard readiness centers and support facilities and in career and technical education centers?"

The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of this Part necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum.

PART D

Sec. D-1. Authorization of bonds. The Treasurer of State is authorized, under the direction of the Governor, to issue bonds in the name and on behalf of the State in an amount not exceeding $65,000,000 for the purposes described in section 6 of this Part. The bonds are a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State. The bonds may not run for a period longer than 10 years from the date of the original issue of the bonds.

Sec. D-2. Records of bonds issued; Treasurer of State. The Treasurer of State shall ensure that an account of each bond is kept showing the number of the bond, the name of the successful bidder to whom sold, the amount received for the bond, the date of sale and the date when payable.

Sec. D-3. Sale; how negotiated; proceeds appropriated. The Treasurer of State may negotiate the sale of the bonds by direction of the Governor, but no bond may be loaned, pledged or hypothecated on behalf of the State. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds, which must be held by the Treasurer of State and paid by the Treasurer of State upon warrants drawn by the State Controller, are appropriated solely for the purposes set forth in this Part. Any unencumbered balances remaining at the completion of the project in this Part lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general obligation bonds.

Sec. D-4. Interest and debt retirement. The Treasurer of State shall pay interest due or accruing on any bonds issued under this Part and all sums coming due for payment of bonds at maturity.

Sec. D-5. Disbursement of bond proceeds. The proceeds of the bonds must be expended as set out in this Part under the direction and supervision of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Efficiency Maine Trust.

1. The proceeds of the bonds for the Land for Maine's Future Board as set out in section 6 must be expended by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for acquisition of land and interest in land for conservation, water access, outdoor recreation, wildlife or fish habitat, farmland preservation in accordance with the provisions for such acquisitions under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 353 and working waterfront preservation in accordance with the terms of Public Law 2005, chapter 462, Part B, section 6, including all costs associated with such acquisitions, except that use of the proceeds of these bonds is subject to the following conditions and requirements.

A. Hunting, fishing, trapping and public access may not be prohibited on land acquired with bond proceeds, except to the extent of applicable state, local or federal laws, rules and regulations and except for working waterfront projects and farmland protection projects.

B. Payment from bond proceeds for acquisitions of local or regional significance, as determined by the Land for Maine's Future Board, may be made directly to cooperating entities as defined in Title 5, section 6201, subsection 2 for acquisition of land and interest in land by cooperating entities, subject to terms and conditions enforceable by the State to ensure its use for the purposes of this Part. In addition to the considerations required under Title 5, chapter 353, the board shall give a preference to acquisitions under this paragraph that achieve benefits for multiple towns and that address regional conservation needs including public recreational access, wildlife, open space and farmland.

C. The bond funds expended for conservation, recreation, working waterfronts, farmland and water access must be matched with at least $30,000,000 in public and private contributions. Seventy percent of that amount must be in the form of cash or other tangible assets, including the value of land and real property interest acquired by or contributed to cooperating entities, as defined in Title 5, section 6201, subsection 2, when property interests have a direct relationship to the property proposed for protection, as determined by the Land for Maine's Future Board. The remaining 30% may be matching contributions and may include the value of project-related, in-kind contributions of goods and services to and by cooperating entities.

D. Because portions of the State have deer populations that are struggling and deer wintering habitat protection is vital to the survival and enhancement of these populations, projects that conserve and protect deer wintering areas are considered to have special value and must receive preferential consideration during scoring of new applications for support under Title 5, chapter 353.

E. To the extent the purposes are consistent with the disbursement provisions in this Part, 100% of the bond proceeds may be considered as state match for any federal funding to be made available to the State.

2. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall take a proactive approach to pursuing land conservation projects that include conservation of priority deer wintering areas. Priority deer wintering areas are of at least 500 acres or contiguous with existing conservation land so that the combined acreage constitutes at least 500 acres, have been historically used by deer at some point since 1950 and are capable of providing shelter for deer on the effective date of this Part or within 20 years. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall include in conservation negotiations under this section provisions for the appropriate management of priority deer wintering areas. Land and interest in land purchased by the State that contains priority deer wintering areas must be managed using protocol provided by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

3. Of the bond proceeds allocated to the Land for Maine's Future Board, at least 5% must be made available to acquire public access to water in accordance with Title 5, section 6203-A.

4. Of the bond proceeds allocated to the Land for Maine's Future Board, at least 10% must be made available to protect farmland in accordance with Title 5, section 6207.

5. Of the bond proceeds allocated to the Land for Maine's Future Board, at least 10% must be made available to protect working waterfront properties in accordance with Public Law 2005, chapter 462, Part B, section 6.

6. The Efficiency Maine Trust shall use funds provided pursuant to the General Fund bond issue authorized under this Part to make grants to municipalities, or municipally authorized citizen committees acting on a municipality's behalf, and school administrative units to support investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy infrastructure through the Municipal Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program established under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 10124.

Sec. D-6. Allocations from General Fund bond issue. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds authorized under this Part must be expended as designated in the following schedule.

AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY, DEPARTMENT OF

Land for Maine's Future Board

Provides funds in order to leverage $30,000,000 in matching contributions from public and private sources to be used for the acquisition of land and interest in land for conservation; water access; wildlife or fish habitat including deer wintering areas; outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing; and working farmland preservation and working waterfront preservation. No more than $10,000,000 may be issued in the first year by the Land for Maine's Future Board and no more than $10,000,000 may be issued by the Land for Maine's Future Board in each of the 2 subsequent years, except that any unused balance may be added to the specified amount in subsequent years.

Total $30,000,000

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF

Uncontrolled hazardous substance site program

Provides funds for state match on federal superfund sites, uncontrolled hazardous substance site investigation and remediation and response actions at sites contaminated with emerging pollutants like perfluoroalky and polyfluoroalkyl substances, at dry-cleaner sites and at brownfield sites.

Total $15,000,000

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF

Wastewater treatment facility planning and construction grants

Provides funds for wastewater treatment facility planning, construction grants and hydrographic modeling, prioritizing areas with high-value shellfish resources.

Total $5,000,000

EFFICIENCY MAINE TRUST

Municipal Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program

Provides funds to purchase solar arrays, high-efficiency ductless heat pumps and high-efficiency modern wood heating systems for buildings and property owned by municipalities and school administrative units.

Total $15,000,000

TOTAL $65,000,000

Sec. D-7. Contingent upon ratification of bond issue. Sections 1 to 6 do not become effective unless the people of the State ratify the issuance of the bonds as set forth in this Part.

Sec. D-8. Appropriation balances at year-end. At the end of each fiscal year, all unencumbered appropriation balances representing state money carry forward. Bond proceeds that have not been expended within 10 years after the date of the sale of the bonds lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general obligation bonds.

Sec. D-9. Bonds authorized but not issued. Any bonds authorized but not issued within 5 years of ratification of this Part are deauthorized and may not be issued, except that the Legislature may, within 2 years after the expiration of that 5-year period, extend the period for issuing any remaining unissued bonds for an additional amount of time not to exceed 5 years.

Sec. D-10. Referendum for ratification; submission at election; form of question; effective date. This Part must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at a statewide election held in the month of November 2019. The municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, to vote on the acceptance or rejection of this Part by voting on the following question:

"Do you favor a $65,000,000 bond issue to protect Maine's environment by investing in land conservation, water access, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation opportunities, including hunting and fishing, farmland and working waterfronts and by supporting environmental clean-up efforts and promotion of renewable energy projects?"

The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of this Part necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum.

PART E

Sec. E-1. 35-A MRSA §10124 is enacted to read:

§ 10124. Municipal Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program

1. Established. The Municipal Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program, referred to in this section as "the program," is established as a program of the trust to support municipalities and school administrative units in reducing energy costs, reducing carbon emissions, facilitating the development of renewable energy resources and creating local jobs related to the building of renewable energy facilities and the installation of energy-efficient equipment.

2. Eligibility. Municipalities and municipally authorized citizen committees acting on behalf of a municipality and school administrative units are eligible to participate in the program.

3. Technical assistance. The trust shall provide participants in the program described under subsection 2 with technical assistance, in coordination with other state agencies, to support the activities of the program. Technical assistance under this subsection must include, but is not limited to, provision of a model as-of-right solar zoning ordinance and support in developing energy efficiency plans.

4. Awards. The trust may award nonrefundable grants to participants in the program described under subsection 2 to support the installation of a municipally owned or school administrative unit-owned solar array, high-efficiency ductless heat pump system, high-efficiency modern wood heating system or a combination of these arrays and systems. The trust shall issue a periodic request for proposals seeking project applications when funding is available. The trust shall prioritize proportionate geographic distribution of funds and equitable distribution of funds considering factors such as municipal population size. The trust may also consider whether an applicant has taken steps to improve energy efficiency as demonstrated by factors including, but not limited to, adoption of a solar zoning ordinance or completion of an energy efficiency audit.

5. Funding. The program may receive funding from:

A. Proceeds of bonds issued for the purposes of this section; and

B. Any other funds allocated by the trust for the purposes of this section.

Municipalities participating in the program must match state grant funding at a ratio determined by the trust, taking into consideration proportionate geographic distribution of funds and equitable distribution of funds. Matching funds may come from any municipally authorized source, including federal programs and nonprofit organizations.

Sec. E-2. Contingent effective date. This Part takes effect only if the General Fund bond issue proposed in Part D, section 10 is approved by the voters of this State.

SUMMARY

PART A

Part A provides a bond issue in the amount of $105,000,000.

Funds in the amount of $100,000,000 will be used for reconstruction and rehabilitation of highways and bridges and for facilities or equipment related to ports, harbors, marine transportation, freight and passenger railroads, aviation, transit and bicycle and pedestrian trails, matching an estimated $137,000,000 per year in federal and other funds.

Funds in the amount of $4,000,000 will be used for a competitive grant program that matches local funding for the upgrade of municipal culverts at stream crossings in order to improve fish and wildlife habitats and to allow communities to better prepare for extreme storms and floods.

Funds in the amount of $1,000,000 will be used to complete the renovation of a wharf and bulkhead at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland to bring the wharf back into operation for a fishing vessel berthing resource to support marine research at sea, for commercial fishing access and for continued long-term marine job development.

PART B

The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $50,000,000, will be used to invest in community broadband infrastructure, economic development and job creation.

PART C

The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $19,000,000, will be used to invest in Maine Community College training, in child care services, in Maine Army National Guard readiness centers and support facilities and in career and technical education centers.

PART D

The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $65,000,000, will be used to protect Maine's environment by investing in land conservation, water access, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation opportunities, including hunting and fishing, farmland and working waterfronts and by supporting environmental clean-up efforts and promotion of renewable energy projects.

Funds provided in this Part for the Efficiency Maine Trust, in the amount of $15,000,000, will be used to purchase solar arrays, high-efficiency ductless heat pumps and high-efficiency modern wood heating systems for buildings and property owned by municipalities and school administrative units and will fund the Municipal Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program under Part E.

PART E

Part E establishes the Municipal Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program within the Efficiency Maine Trust to support municipalities and municipally authorized citizen committees and school administrative units across the State in reducing energy costs, reducing carbon emissions, facilitating the development of renewable energy resources and creating local jobs related to the building of renewable energy facilities and the installation of energy-efficient equipment. It funds the program with the proceeds of bonds, including bonds issued pursuant to Part D, any other funds allocated by the trust and matching funds from participating municipalities.

Part E takes effect only if the bond issue under Part D is approved by the voters of the State.

SP0621 LD 1836	Session - 129th Maine Legislature		LR 2554 Item 1
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF

Uncontrolled hazardous substance site program

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF

Wastewater treatment facility planning and construction grants

EFFICIENCY MAINE TRUST

Municipal Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program