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Bill > LD2164
ME LD2164
ME LD2164An Act to Assist Communities with Converting Vacant School Buildings into Housing
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill establishes the Vacant School Housing Conversion Program within the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority. The program provides technical and financial assistance to municipalities seeking to develop vacant school buildings into properties that provide residential housing, including units dedicated as affordable housing. The bill also establishes the Maine School Conversion Fund, which is used to support the development of vacant school buildings. The bill provides for an ongoing annual appropriation of $5 million to the fund. The redevelopment authority administers the fund, and the fund's uses are limited to supporting development of vacant school buildings in municipalities that have memoranda of understanding with the redevelopment authority that it will act on behalf of the municipality to manage requests for proposals from entities seeking to develop the property. Finally, the bill requires the redevelopment authority to submit an annual report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over housing matters regarding the program.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Vacant School Housing Conversion Program within the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority, which will provide technical and financial help to towns looking to turn empty school buildings into homes, including some designated as affordable housing. To support this, the bill creates the Maine School Conversion Fund, which will receive an annual $5 million appropriation and be managed by the redevelopment authority. This fund can only be used for converting vacant schools into housing, specifically in towns that have agreements with the redevelopment authority to manage the process of finding developers. The redevelopment authority, or "redevelopment authority," is a state agency tasked with managing redevelopment projects. "Affordable housing" refers to housing that is priced within the means of households with low to moderate incomes. Finally, the redevelopment authority is required to submit an annual report to the legislative committee overseeing housing matters detailing the program's activities and impact.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Hearing (15:00:00 2/24/2026 Cross Building, Room 206) (on 02/24/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=2164&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1453&item=1&snum=132 |
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