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House approves majority plan to transition Connect Maine funding to the Maine Connectivity Authority
Summary
After extended floor debate over whether to terminate Connect Maine and its 10¢ fee, members adopted the committee majority’s plan to allow the Maine Connectivity Authority to continue transitioning programs and to report back, while sending the measure to the Senate for concurrence.
Lawmakers disputed whether to end the small surcharge that funds Connect Maine programs or to preserve the fee so the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) can complete a planned transition. Supporters of preserving the statutory funding stream said the authority has leveraged hundreds of millions in federal funds and that dismantling the structure now would jeopardize rural broadband projects and programs that assist seniors and other vulnerable populations.
Representative from Madison (opponent of continuation) argued the original goals had been achieved and urged repeal of the fee to improve affordability. Supporters, including the representative from Freeport, said the transition requires statutory steps and a report to the Legislature; they emphasized ongoing federal matching obligations and digital-literacy programs targeting seniors.
The House adopted the committee majority amendment (motion A) that requires reporting on the transition and sent the bill to the Senate for concurrence. The chair announced the bill will be engrossed and forwarded to the Senate for further action.
What happens next
The measure, as adopted on the floor, advances to the Senate for concurrence; statutory changes and any termination of Connect Maine would require the completed transition work and subsequent legislative action.
