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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
SECOND REGULAR SESSION-2026
Legislative Document No. 2147
S.P. 865 In Senate, January 7, 2026
An Act to Provide Funding to Improve the College and Career
Readiness of Certain Students in Androscoggin and Oxford
Counties
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule
203.
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered
printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator DUSON of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative MURPHY of Scarborough and
Senators: BENNETT of Oxford, BICKFORD of Androscoggin, Representative: HEPLER of
Woolwich.
Page 1 - 132LR2945(01)
1Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
2Sec. 1. University of Maine System funding for academic support and
3college and career preparation; use of funds. The University of Maine System shall
4 administer the funds appropriated in section 3. The funds must be used solely to provide
5 academic support and college and career preparation services to students at Buckfield
6 Junior-Senior High School, Dirigo High School, Edward Little High School, Mountain
7 Valley High School, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School and Telstar High School in
8 Androscoggin and Oxford counties who meet the eligibility qualifications of the United
9 States Department of Education's Upward Bound program. Services may include, but are
10 not limited to, academic advising, tutoring in mathematics and English language arts, peer
11 mentoring, support in applying for higher education and accessing financial aid, career
12 exploration and planning and on-campus summer residential experiences.
13Sec. 2. Report. That, by December 1, 2027, the University of Maine System shall
14 submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over
15 education matters that includes an overview of the services provided pursuant to section 1.
16 The report must include student outcomes such as high school grade point average,
17 retention, graduation and postsecondary enrollment. The joint standing committee may
18 report out legislation related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 133rd
19 Legislature.
20Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
21 allocations are made.
22UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM, BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
23Educational and General Activities - UMS 0031
24 Initiative: Provides a one-time appropriation to the University of Maine System to provide
25 academic support and college and career preparation services to eligible students in 6 high
26 schools in Androscoggin and Oxford counties previously served by the University of Maine
27 at Farmington's River Valley Upward Bound program.
GENERAL FUND 2025-26 2026-27
All Other $0 $309,505
__________ __________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $0 $309,505
28SUMMARY
29 This bill provides one-time funds for the University of Maine System to provide
30 academic support and college and career preparation services to eligible students in 6 high
31 schools in Androscoggin and Oxford counties that previously participated in the University
32 of Maine at Farmington's River Valley Upward Bound program. The bill requires the
33 University of Maine System to submit a report to the joint standing committee of the
34 Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters by December 1, 2027 detailing the
35 use of the funding and outcomes for participating students. The joint standing committee
36 may report out legislation related to the report.
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