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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1731S.P. 677 In Senate, April 22, 2025
An Act to Increase the Influence of the Maine State Ferry Advisory
Board on the Funding and Operations of the Maine State Ferry
Service
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator GROHOSKI of Hancock.
Cosponsored by Representative FAULKINGHAM of Winter Harbor and
Senators: BEEBE-CENTER of Knox, CURRY of Waldo, MOORE of Washington,
Representatives: EATON of Deer Isle, GEIGER of Rockland, MATLACK of St. George, RAY
of Lincolnville. Page 1 - 132LR2108(01)
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2 as amended by PL 1989, c. 503, Pt. B, ยง102, is further
3 amended to read:
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5 The Maine State Ferry Advisory Board, established by Title 5, section
6 subsection 82, and in this section chapter called "the board," shall be is a board within the
7 Department of Transportation.
8 is enacted to read:
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10 The Maine State Ferry Service shall consult the board on the development of the Maine
11 State Ferry Service budget and strategic planning and major operational decisions
12 regarding the Maine State Ferry Service. Recommendations made by the board regarding
13 rider experience, fare structures, schedules, route planning, vessel maintenance and other
14 operational aspects of the Maine State Ferry Service must be considered by the Maine State
15 Ferry Service.
16 is enacted to read:
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19 board that includes the following:
20 A. Financial performance and budget utilization;
21 B. Rider feedback and satisfaction surveys; and
22 C. Operational challenges and improvements.
23 The board shall review the report provided pursuant to subsection 1 and
24 provide feedback and recommendations to the Maine State Ferry Service for consideration.
25 is enacted to read:
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27 The board shall conduct an annual review of the Maine State Ferry Service's
28 performance and operations and provide a report to the joint standing committee of the
29 Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters by January 15th of each year.
30 The report must include recommendations for improvements to Maine State Ferry Service
31 operations and suggested funding. The recommendations in the report must be considered
32 by the Maine State Ferry Service during its decision-making processes for the following
33 fiscal year.
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35 This bill requires the Maine State Ferry Service to consult with the Maine State Ferry
36 Advisory Board on matters regarding budgets, strategic planning and major operational
37 decisions. Recommendations made by the board regarding certain matters must be
38 considered by the Maine State Ferry Service during its decision-making processes for the
39 following fiscal year. The bill requires the Maine State Ferry Service to provide regular
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39 Page 2 - 132LR2108(01)
40 reports to the board and requires the board to review and provide feedback and
41 recommendations. The bill also requires the board to conduct an annual review of the
42 Maine State Ferry Service's performance and operations and provide a report to the joint
43 standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters by
44 January 15th of each year.
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