Bill
Bill > LD1141
summary
Introduced
03/18/2025
03/18/2025
In Committee
03/18/2025
03/18/2025
Crossed Over
06/11/2025
06/11/2025
Passed
06/25/2025
06/25/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
01/11/2026
01/11/2026
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
An Act to Increase the Procurement of Maine Foods by Certain State Institutions Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and Whereas, the people of Maine take enormous pride in the local food producers that support their communities and keep alive time-honored traditions that make Maine a unique place to live; and Whereas, state agencies are some of the largest customers of local food producers, and state purchasing practices have an enormous impact on the communities that rely on local food producers; and Whereas, many local food producers have developed strong and long-standing relationships with state agencies to sell high-quality food and food products at a significant discount, supporting local Maine businesses and families in the process; and Whereas, it is critically important that the state agencies are able to continue and expand such procurement practices as soon as practicable and in perpetuity to support the people of Maine and protect the viability of the local food-producing communities; 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,
AI Summary
This bill declares it the policy of the State of Maine to promote food self-sufficiency by requiring state institutions, defined as the Department of Corrections, Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center, Riverview Psychiatric Center, and Maine Veterans' Homes, to purchase Maine-grown food and food products. It establishes a Maine food and food products procurement program with a goal of at least 30% of all food and food products procured by these institutions being from Maine by 2030. The bill introduces the term "opportunity buying" to describe purchasing food that is only available for a short time, and allows state institutions to negotiate directly with Maine food producers for "off-contract purchases," even if these products are up to 15% more expensive than contracted items. A designated coordinator will oversee this program, working to strengthen connections between producers and institutions, assist with bid processes, and promote guidelines for direct purchasing. The bill also allows for the creation of an advisory committee and requires the commissioner to report on progress towards the procurement goal. The legislation is deemed an emergency measure, meaning it will take effect immediately upon approval.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (10)
Craig Hickman (D)*,
Joe Baldacci (D),
Russell Black (R),
Stacey Guerin (R),
Henry Ingwersen (D),
Bill Pluecker (I),
Tracy Quint (R),
Sue Salisbury (D),
Rachel Talbot Ross (D),
Jeff Timberlake (R),
Last Action
Governor's Action: Emergency Unsigned, Jan 11, 2026 (on 01/11/2026)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1141&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0472&item=3&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN114103.pdf |
| Senate: C-A (S-352) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0472&item=2&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: C-A (S-352) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN114102.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0472&item=1&snum=132 |
Loading...