AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee approved a bill from Senator Chip Curry, D-Belfast, to create a nonpartisan research institute to provide the Legislature with information and policy options to improve Maine’s economy.

An amended version of LD 1517, “An Act To Establish the Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student Achievement Institute,” received a bipartisan, unanimous vote of support from those present, with three members absent.

“The Institute is going to be a great resource for our committee – and for the entire Legislature – in crafting policy that will make life better for Maine people,” said Sen. Curry. “As we look for the best way to invest in our workforce and grow our economy, we’re going to need hard data and information about what’s working in other state. The Institute will be a great asset, and I thank my fellow committee members for their support.”

The bill establishes the Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student Achievement Institute and a related steering committee to advise the Legislature on matters related to workforce training, research and development, student debt and economic advancement in Maine.

The Legislature would work alongside the Institute to identify areas needing further study; the Institute would then carry out this study and provide the Legislature with objective, nonpartisan information and policy options.

Similar groups currently exist to compliment other legislative committees, including the Maine Education Policy Research Institute, which advises the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee and which this bill is modeled after.

The amended version of the bill authorizes the Institute as a pilot project through Sept. 1, 2024, with a required report back to the committee by Jan. 15, 2024.

The 131st Legislature may then choose to extend authorization and funding for the Institute. The amendment also changes the composition of the Institute’s steering committee and provides $100,000 in annual funding for the institute to perform its work.

LD 1517 now faces votes in the Senate and House.