17 This bill is reported out by the Joint Standing Committee on Housing and Economic
18 Development pursuant to Resolve 2025, chapter 114. The bill establishes the Maine Blue
19 Economy Center as a body corporate and politic and a public instrumentality of the State
20 to leverage and expand the State’s blue economy sector. The bill requires the center to
21 submit an interim report upon appointment of all members of the center's board of directors
22 and appropriates $1,000,000 in one-time funds in fiscal year 2026-27 for the center’s start-
23 up costs. The committee has not taken a position on the substance of this bill. By reporting this bill out, the committee is not suggesting and does not intend to suggest that it agrees or disagrees with any aspect of this bill. The committee is reporting the bill out for the sole purpose of having a bill printed that can be referred to the committee for an appropriate public hearing and subsequent processing in the normal course. The committee is taking this action to ensure clarity and transparency in the legislative review of the proposals contained in the bill.