Maine Blue Economy Center Act Establishes New Economic Development Body
Summary
Maine enacted LD2216 on April 7, 2026, establishing the Maine Blue Economy Center within the Department of Economic and Community Development. The bill passed the Senate 20-12 and the House 78-68 after adoption of Committee Amendment S-637. The Center will coordinate and promote maritime and ocean-based economic development across the state.
What changed
LD2216 enacts the Maine Blue Economy Center Act, establishing a new state entity dedicated to coordinating maritime and ocean-related economic development. The bill was amended by Committee Amendment S-637 and passed both chambers after divided committee reports. The Center will operate under the Department of Economic and Community Development and is expected to consolidate existing blue economy initiatives.
For maritime businesses, coastal municipalities, and economic development stakeholders, the new Center will likely serve as the primary state coordination point for blue economy programs, grants, and regulatory guidance. Entities engaged in fishing, marine transportation, offshore energy, and coastal tourism should monitor the Center's formation for emerging opportunities and any new compliance requirements it may establish.
What to do next
- Monitor for implementation of the Maine Blue Economy Center
- Identify potential engagement opportunities with the new economic development body
- Review state maritime economic development initiatives for business opportunities
Archived snapshot
Apr 8, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Maine / LD2216 Passed LD2216 LD Passed 2026-04-07
An Act to Establish the Maine Blue Economy Center
Bill Details
State Maine
Session 132nd Legislature
Chamber House
Official Source legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_...
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Glenn Curry (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-07 S On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending PASSAGE TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. 2026-04-07 H Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2026-04-07 H PASSED TO BE ENACTED. 2026-04-07 H In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2026-04-07 H The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-637). 2026-04-07 H Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading. 2026-04-07 H Committee Amendment "A" (S-637) was READ and ADOPTED. 2026-04-07 H The Bill was READ ONCE. 2026-04-07 H ROLL CALL NO. 741 (Yeas 78 - Nays 68 - Absent 4 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1) 2026-04-07 H On motion of Representative GERE of Kennebunkport, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED. 2026-04-07 H Reports READ. 2026-04-06 S Sent down for concurrence. 2026-04-06 S Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-637) 2026-04-06 S Committee Amendment "A" (S-637) READ and ADOPTED. 2026-04-06 S READ ONCE. 2026-04-06 S Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 893 Yeas 20 - Nays 12 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 2026-04-06 S On motion by Senator CURRY of Waldo The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. 2026-04-06 S Reports READ. 2026-04-06 J Reported Out: OTP-AM/ONTP 2026-03-12 J Voted: Divided Report 2026-03-12 J Work Session Held 2026-03-11 J Work Session Held: TABLED 2026-02-24 H In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2026-02-24 H The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 2026-02-24 H Report was READ and ACCEPTED. 2026-02-24 S Sent down for concurrence 2026-02-24 S Bill and accompanying papers REFERRED to the Committee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. 2026-02-24 S Report READ and ACCEPTED. 2026-02-24 S Reported that the same be REFERRED to the Committtee on HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, pursuant to Resolve, chapter 114, section 7.
Votes
2026-04-06 Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #893 Yea: 20 Nay: 12 2026-04-07 Acc Maj Otp As Amended Rep RC #741 Yea: 78 Nay: 68
Committee Referrals
2026-02-24 J Housing
Amendments
0000-00-00 Senate: C-A (S-637) Adopted
Bill Text Versions
0000-00-00 Introduced
Subjects
Economic Development Planning Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
Named provisions
Related changes
Get daily alerts for Maine Legislative Events
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from ME Legislature.
The plain-English summary, classification, and "what to do next" steps are AI-generated from the original text. Cite the source document, not the AI analysis.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when Maine Legislative Events publishes new changes.