LD 2232

APPROVED  CHAPTER
  APRIL 16, 2026  721
  BY GOVERNOR  PUBLIC LAW
  STATE OF MAINE
  _____
  IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
  TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX
  _____
  H.P. 1507 - L.D. 2232
  An Act to Increase County Jail Funding
   Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
    Whereas, state funding for county jail operations has remained stagnant while the
costs to operate county jails have rapidly increased, creating an undue burden on property
tax payers; and
    Whereas, it is necessary that this Act take effect prior to the beginning of the next
fiscal year; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
    Sec. 1.        Credit of funds for county jails for jail operations costs.
Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 1532, in fiscal year 2025-26,
prior to the credit of any investment earnings on the Maine Budget Stabilization Fund, the
State Controller shall first credit $4,000,000 of investment earnings to the County Jail
Operations Fund, Other Special Revenue Funds account in the Department of Corrections
for distributions to counties for jail operations costs.
    Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made.
CORRECTIONS, DEPARTMENT OF
County Jail Operations Fund Z227
Initiative: Provides a one-time allocation to the County Jail Operations Fund for
distribution to counties for jail operations costs.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS  2025-26  2026-27
 All Other  $4,000,000  $0
  __________       __________
  Page 1 - 132LR3072(05)
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL  $4,000,000  $0
    Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.
  Page 2 - 132LR3072(05)