Maine LD2098: An Act to Update Certain Higher Education Statutes and Laws

What the bill says

An Act to Update Certain Higher Education Statutes and Laws.

From the engrossed text:

An Act to Update Certain Higher Education Statutes and Laws Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA c. 321, as amended, is repealed. Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §10017, first ¶, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. BB, §1, is amended to read: The Higher Education Administrative Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established within the department as a nonlapsing fund to receive participation fees and application fees from institutions of higher education for applications under section 10707 and for applications for membership or membership renewal in the interstate reciprocity agreement authorized under section 405, subsection 3, paragraph W. Funds deposited in the fund must be used to support the department's facilitation of the interstate reciprocity agreement and for other department costs associated with the administration of higher education in the State. Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §10703, sub-§3 is enacted to read: 3. Basis for degree-granting authority. Temporary approval granted pursuant to this section may not be used as a basis for a recommendation by the state board for permanent degree-granting authority under section 10707. Sec. 4. 20-A MRSA §10707, as amended by PL 2007, c. 572, Pt. A, §13, is further amended to read: §10707. Applications 1. Degree-granting authority. Applications for authority to grant degrees shall must be made on application to the state board on forms …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Holly Sargent (D, 147) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. March 25, 2026: PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
2. March 24, 2026: PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3. March 19, 2026: COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-853), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.
4. March 18, 2026: Reports READOn motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED in concurrence. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 774 Yeas 20 - Nays 12 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-853) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
5. March 17, 2026: Reports READ.On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 654(Yeas 75 - Nays 67 - Absent 7 - Excused 1 - Vacant 1)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-853) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-853). Sent for concu
6. January 7, 2026: The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS in concurrence
7. January 7, 2026: Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

Votes

• Senate RC #774: ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT (March 18, 2026): 20 yea, 12 nay, passed
• House RC #654: ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP (March 17, 2026): 75 yea, 67 nay, passed

Common questions

What is LD2098?

LD2098 is a bill in the Maine Legislature (132nd Legislature): An Act to Update Certain Higher Education Statutes and Laws.

What does LD2098 do?

In its own words: An Act to Update Certain Higher Education Statutes and Laws.

What is the status of LD2098?

Signed into law as of April 3, 2026. Latest action: PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. (March 25, 2026).

Who sponsored LD2098?

Holly Sargent (D, 147).

Where is the official record for LD2098?

On the Maine Legislature website: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=2098&snum=132