Judiciary committee advances $1.5M nonprofit security grant program with MEMA administration
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Summary
The Judiciary Committee voted to report LD 2107 as ought‑to‑pass as amended, moving administration of a $1.5 million nonprofit security grant program from the Attorney General’s office to the Maine Emergency Management Agency and allowing limited administrative use of funds; the program would mirror aspects of FEMA’s nonprofit security grants and cap projects at the federal $200,000 level.
The Judiciary Committee on a work session reported LD 2107 as ought to pass as amended, approving an amendment that moves state administration of a proposed nonprofit security grant program to the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and reduces the one‑time appropriation from $2,000,000 to $1,500,000.
Eli Murphy of the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis told the committee the amendment edits change references from the Attorney General’s office to MEMA, retitles the appropriation to the Department of Veterans and Emergency Management, and adds a provision allowing a portion of the funds to be used for program administration. “There’s also some information provided on other states’ nonprofit security grant programs,” Murphy said, handing out a white two‑page summary and a yellow amendment sheet.
Sponsor Representative Michael Brennan said the amendment was responsive to issues raised in the committee and emphasized that the program would be available to “nonprofits that are experiencing hate crimes or acts of terrorism.” He distributed a map showing 18 states that combine federal and state funds for similar hybrid programs.
Joe Laguie, deputy director for MEMA, answered questions about eligibility and timelines. He said the federal nonprofit security grant program does not require applicants to prove financial disadvantage and noted a federal per‑project cap: “The current federal program is capped at a total project amount of $200,000.” MEMA also described providing technical assistance and workshops to smaller applicants who may lack grant‑writing capacity.
Members discussed whether fiscal need should be a scored factor, the length of performance periods, and carryforward language so that unspent one‑time funds could be used beyond the fiscal year. Murphy said standard carryforward language could be added so MEMA could carry unspent balances forward to complete multi‑year projects.
Representative Pugh moved that the committee report the bill ought to pass as amended; Representative Sinclair seconded. By roll call, the clerk reported eight members voting in the affirmative, three in the negative and three absent. The clerk announced that was the vote of the committee.
What happens next: The committee’s report will be included with the bill’s paperwork sent to the Legislature for further consideration. Any rulemaking details about application scoring, program administration and potential carryforward language would be addressed if the Legislature enacts the appropriation and charges MEMA with implementation.