APPROVED CHAPTER
MARCH 19, 2026 144
BY GOVERNOR RESOLVES
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX
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H.P. 1370 - L.D. 2040
Resolve, to Study Food Insecurity Measures in Maine
Sec. 1. Assessment and evaluation of food insecurity measures in State.
Resolved: That, in view of the fact that the United States Department of Agriculture
terminated its annual Household Food Security report, the Commissioner of Agriculture,
Conservation and Forestry shall study opportunities to assess and evaluate food insecurity
measures in the State and the State’s progress in its strategic plan to end hunger by 2030
under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 2, subsection 6. The commissioner shall
seek input from the advisory committee established in Title 7, section 2, subsection 6,
outside organizations and other state agencies as necessary in conducting the study. The
commissioner may contract with external agencies to study feasible methods to measure
and track food insecurity in the State over time, if sufficient funding has been provided for
this purpose. This study may include reviewing existing measurements of disparities of
food insecurity in target populations, including, but not limited to, those defined by age,
geography, income, race and veteran status, as defined by federal and state policy. The
study may include a gap analysis to identify missing or incomplete data sets. Results of
the study must be published and made available on a publicly accessible website.
Sec. 2. Acceptance of funds for study. Resolved: That the Commissioner of
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may accept funds from any public or private source
for the purposes of the study under section 1. Funds must be transferred into a separate,
nonlapsing account, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and
Forestry, for the purposes of this resolve and may not be used for any other purpose.
Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That, no later than January 15, 2027, the Commissioner
of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall submit a report to the joint standing
committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agriculture, conservation and
forestry matters; health and human services matters; and education and cultural affairs. The
report must include the following:
1. A summary of issues or challenges encountered in conducting the study under
section 1;
2. Data and metrics measuring the outcomes and impacts of the study; and
Page 1 - 132LR2744(03)
 3. Recommendations regarding further study or courses of action relative to the report
findings.
Each joint standing committee receiving a report under this section may submit
legislation based on the subject matter of the report to the 133rd Legislature in 2027.
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Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 2040, HP 1370: 7.2