Maine LD 606: An Act Regarding The Child Protection System

Bill Text

Page 1 - 132LR1175(03)
STATE OF MAINE
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IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE
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H.P. 374 - L.D. 606
Resolve, to Study Barriers to Financial Assistance Programs for Farmers and
Food Producers
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, farmers and food producers are facing increasing challenges when trying
to access both state and federal grant programs; and
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day
period to allow the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of
Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to study the bureau's financial assistance programs
to identify barriers to and improve effectiveness of these programs as soon as possible; 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, be it
Sec. 1. Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to seek
stakeholder input on lowering barriers to financial assistance programs.
Resolved: That the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall direct
staff of the Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to study the bureau's financial
assistance programs for farmers and food producers to identify barriers to these programs
and methods to eliminate those barriers and increase the effectiveness of the programs in
addressing farmer and food producer needs. This study must be undertaken within existing
resources and must include at least 2 listening sessions with farmers and food producers.
The listening sessions must encompass topics, including, but not limited to, the following:
1. Application materials, submission procedures and timelines for application retention
by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry;
2. Contact procedures to inform applicants of new program opportunities;
3. Accessibility for beginning and emerging farmers and the expansion of education
about department programs, partnerships with community organizations to reach new
LAW WITHOUT
GOVERNOR'S
SIGNATURE

MAY 13, 2025
CHAPTER
26
RESOLVES

Page 2 - 132LR1175(03)
groups of farmers and identification of farmers who currently underuse department
programs; and
4. Input on how the department can organize and consolidate its financial assistance
offerings.
Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That, by January 15, 2026, the Commissioner of
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall submit a report detailing the results of the
study under section 1 and any recommended legislation to the Joint Standing Committee
on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, which may report out legislation to the Second
Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.