Maine Code § 5-1742

Powers and duties
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The Department of Administrative and Financial Services, through the Bureau of General Services,
has authority: [PL 1991, c. 780, Pt. Y, §53 (AMD).]
1. Programs. To require the development of overall long range public improvement programs for
all departments and agencies of the State Government and to coordinate and present recommendations
pertaining thereto to the Governor, the Governor-elect, the State Budget Officer and the Legislature;

2. Inspection. To regularly inspect state-owned and leased buildings in the State and report to the
controlling department head whatever construction, repairs, alterations and improvements are
determined necessary. If the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services considers it
advisable, the commissioner shall make a similar report to the Governor;
[PL 1991, c. 780, Pt. Y, §54 (AMD).]
3. Advise. Upon request to advise all state departments, agencies and school administrative units
in connection with engineering and architectural questions and matters pertaining to any and all public
improvements;
[PL 1971, c. 542, §2 (AMD).]
4. Review. To review the operation and maintenance of state-owned and leased buildings and
property and to make recommendations with respect thereto to the Commissioner of Administrative
and Financial Services and controlling department or agency head concerned;
[PL 1991, c. 780, Pt. Y, §55 (AMD).]
5. Data. To prepare, at the request of the Governor or the Legislature, data pertaining to existing
or proposed public improvements;
[PL 1975, c. 771, §79 (AMD).]
6. Approve selection of architects and engineers and other professionals. To approve the
selection of architects and engineers registered in Maine and other professionals in the planning, design
and monitoring of construction of public improvements consistent with the policy of this State that
proposals for professional, architectural and engineering services for public improvements be publicly
announced, and that contracts for those services be negotiated by the contracting authority on the basis
of evaluation of professional competency and qualifications required for the type of services
contemplated at fair and reasonable prices.
The bureau shall adopt procedures for the procurement of any professional, architectural and
engineering services for public improvements as defined in section 1741. The procedures must be
adopted pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375 and be deemed a rule.
The procedure must contain a provision that, prior to initiating the process of selecting an architect or
engineer or other professional for any project, the contracting authority shall advertise in a daily
newspaper that serves the area in which the project is likely to be located. The advertisement must
state, at a minimum, that the selection is to take place and describe the procedures that an engineer or
architect or other professional may use to be considered as a candidate in the selection process.
Notwithstanding this subsection, the bureau may select a person or persons to perform professional,
architectural or engineering services from the list described in this subsection if the cost of the services
does not exceed $50,000. The bureau shall solicit names for placement on a list by placing a general
advertisement for professional, architectural or engineering services in newspapers that taken together
have general circulation throughout the State. The bureau may substitute advertisement in professional
journals or other publications that it finds equally effective in reaching the intended audience. The
bureau may require persons responding to the advertisement to complete a qualifying questionnaire
designed to address experience and expertise in performing the type of work advertised. The bureau
shall prepare a list of respondents that it determines qualified and update the list at least every 2 years.
If the bureau determines that a person is not qualified for placement on the list of providers of
professional, architectural or engineering services, the person may appeal that decision in writing to the
Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services within 15 days of the bureau's decision. The
commissioner shall complete the appeal process and issue a decision within 15 days of the filing of the
appeal. The decision of the commissioner is final;
[PL 2025, c. 25, §1 (AMD).]

6-A. Building code. To adopt for design purposes for all public improvements the current Maine
Uniform Building and Energy Code pursuant to Title 10, section 9722.
Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in chapter 375,
subchapter 2-A;
[PL 2021, c. 554, §1 (AMD).]
7. Approve plans for public improvements. To approve all proposals, plans, specifications and
contracts for public improvements that the State or any of its agencies hold in fee or by leasehold
interest and for school administrative unit projects costing in excess of $100,000. The commissioner
shall, upon the request of a school administrative unit, provide consultation for any public improvement
regardless of cost. The Bureau of General Services shall furnish a quarterly report to the project unit
school board that details the services provided to the project during the time period covered by the
report. The Bureau of General Services shall submit to the State Board of Education an annual report
that summarizes the services provided each project;
[PL 2005, c. 386, Pt. L, §1 (AMD).]
8. Inspection. To inspect materials, equipment, methods used and changes in plans in making
public improvements, and inspect public improvements during the course of construction or repair, and
make such recommendations as may be indicated to the architect or engineer, when employed, to the
controlling department or agency head or to the school administrative unit. The architect or engineer,
when employed, shall provide adequate inspection of materials, equipment, methods and changes in
plans on all projects under the architect's or engineer's supervision;
[RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §57 (COR).]
9. Recommendations. To require prompt inspection upon the completion of any public
improvement and to make recommendations promptly for the acceptance or rejection thereof to the
authority which approved the execution of the project;
10. Inventory.
[PL 1997, c. 90, §2 (RP).]
11. Listing of real estate. To require the listing of real estate belonging to or under lease to the
State Government, showing controlling agency, location, metes and bounds, cost or rental rate and
when acquired or rented;
12. Demolish obsolete buildings. To demolish or otherwise dispose of buildings and
appurtenances, excluding land, belonging to the State that have become hazards, obsolete or are
unjustifiably expensive to maintain. Such demolition or other disposal shall be on the recommendation
of the department or agency head having jurisdiction over the buildings and appurtenances concerned
and under such terms and conditions as deemed by the Governor to be in the best interests of the State;
[PL 1975, c. 771, §80 (AMD).]
13. File of plans. To collect and maintain a complete and accurate file of drawings showing plans
of location and situation of all public improvements;
14. Records. To collect and maintain records of construction costs and progress of all public
improvements;
15. Supervision of State House and grounds. To have general supervision of the State House
and the grounds specified in Title 3, section 902-A, subsection 2, and to make repairs and alterations
in and about such grounds and buildings at the direction of the Legislative Council or the Executive
Director of the Legislative Council, as provided in Title 3, section 902, subsection 3;
[PL 1989, c. 410, §18 (AMD).]
16. Maintain public park in Augusta. To maintain all that portion of the state lands specified in
Title 3, section 902, subsection 2, in accordance with the official plans proposed by the State House

and Capitol Park Commission to the Legislative Council and adopted by the Legislature pursuant to
Title 3, section 902, subsection 1;
[PL 1989, c. 410, §18 (AMD).]
17. Food service. To provide, with the consent of the Governor, food service in the state office
buildings located at the seat of government and elsewhere in the State as may be determined by the
Governor;
[PL 1975, c. 771, §81 (AMD).]
18. Assign rooms. To assign rooms in all buildings used by the State for offices and determine
the occupancy thereof in such manner as the public service may require;
19. Facilities required by State.
[PL 1991, c. 9, Pt. L, §1 (RP).]
19-A. Real property leases required by State. Except as provided in section 1742-D, to locate,
negotiate and manage all real property leases required by departments and agencies of State
Government;
[PL 1991, c. 9, Pt. L, §2 (NEW).]
19-B. Real property interests acquired by State.
[PL 2007, c. 488, §1 (NEW); MRSA T. 5 §1742, sub-§19-B (RP).]
20. Utility services.
[PL 1985, c. 785, Pt. A, §66 (RP); PL 1987, c. 402, Pt. A, §§41, 42 (AMD).]
20-A. Utility services. To purchase or contract or approve the purchasing or contracting for
electric, water, sewerage and gas services for any department and agency of State Government and to
grant necessary easements for utilities;
A. [PL 1987, c. 282, §1 (RP).]
B. [PL 1987, c. 282, §1 (RP).]
C. [PL 1987, c. 282, §1 (RP).]
[PL 1991, c. 780, Pt. Y, §56 (AMD).]
20-B. Renewable energy credits; purchase, retirement and sale. To purchase, retire and sell
renewable energy credits. Net proceeds from the purchase, retirement or sale of renewable energy
credits must first be applied to achieve the State's obligation under section 1766-A to supply electricity
used in state-owned buildings with 100% renewable resources. If the State generates more renewable
energy credits than needed to fulfill the obligation under section 1766-A, the credits may be sold and
the proceeds placed in a Lead by Example Program Other Special Revenue Funds account established
pursuant to section 1742-H. For purposes of this subsection, "renewable energy credit" has the same
meaning as in Title 35-A, section 3210, subsection 2, paragraph B-2.
The Bureau of General Services shall adopt rules for the sale and purchase of renewable energy credits
under this subsection; the administration of sale proceeds; the allocation and distribution of renewable
energy credit proceeds; the reimbursement of renewable energy credits, including federal Internal
Revenue Service elective pay reimbursements; and the administration of the Lead by Example Program
established in section 1742-H. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as
defined in chapter 375, subchapter 2-A;
[PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. I, §1 (NEW).]
21. Rules. To make rules, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Administrative and
Financial Services for the purposes of carrying out this subchapter;
[PL 1991, c. 780, Pt. Y, §57 (AMD).]
22. Drug-related seized property.

[PL 1989, c. 483, Pt. A, §15 (RP).]
23. Inventory of land. To annually inventory all land owned by any state agency or
semiautonomous state agency, and, together with other state agencies and semiautonomous state
agencies, determine land that is needed by state agencies or semiautonomous state agencies for other
uses and land that is surplus. Prior to offering any land for sale, the commissioner shall review with
the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority and other state agencies and semiautonomous state
agencies the information derived from the inventory. For the purposes of this subsection,
"semiautonomous state agency" has the same meaning as in section 1972, subsection 9.
A. [PL 2025, c. 264, §1 (RP).]
A-1. The department shall annually send the inventory to the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank
Authority and to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over economic
development matters. [PL 2025, c. 264, §1 (NEW).]
B. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the procedure for the distribution of
surplus state property for the purpose of this subsection takes priority over any other procedure for
the disbursement of surplus state land. [PL 2025, c. 264, §1 (AMD).]
C. This subsection may not be construed to pertain to public reserved lands that are exempt from
this subsection. [PL 2025, c. 264, §1 (AMD).]
D. The department shall work closely with the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority to
develop a procedure by which surplus state-owned land and structures are held in trust for the
purpose set forth in this section and Title 30-A, chapter 201, subchapter 3-A; [PL 2025, c. 264,
§1 (AMD).]
[PL 2025, c. 264, §1 (AMD).]
24. Application of air ventilation standards. To apply Maine Uniform Building and Energy
Code ventilation standards to buildings occupied by state employees. These standards must be applied
to buildings that are constructed or substantially renovated by the State and to buildings for which the
State enters into new leases or renews leases. For the purpose of this subsection, "substantial
renovation" means any renovation for which the cost exceeds 50% of the buildings' value.
A. [PL 2021, c. 554, §2 (RP).]
B. [PL 2021, c. 554, §2 (RP).]
[PL 2021, c. 554, §2 (AMD).]
25. Sites for child care programs. To review, in cooperation with the Office of Child Care
Coordination in the Department of Health and Human Services, feasible sites for child care programs
offered primarily as a service to state employees pursuant to Title 22, section 8307, subsection 2;
[RR 2013, c. 1, §11 (COR).]
26. Rental income. To credit income from the rental of facilities in Limestone to the Department
of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services, Other Special Revenue Funds
account. These funds must be used for repairs, capital improvements and other costs of managing the
facilities operated by the Maine Military Authority in Limestone.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except when the Governor in the case of an emergency
pursuant to Title 37-B, section 742 or 744 needs money for disaster relief, in which case the Governor
may transfer no more than 10% of the balance of the rental income, the department also may
recommend that:
A. Part of the rental income collected by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services,
Bureau of General Services pursuant to this subsection be transferred to the General Fund as
undedicated revenue; [PL 2005, c. 519, Pt. W, §1 (NEW).]

B. Part of the rental income collected by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services,
Bureau of General Services pursuant to this subsection be transferred to the Department of Defense,
Veterans and Emergency Management, Maine National Guard Education Assistance Pilot
Program, Other Special Revenue Funds account for tuition assistance; [PL 2005, c. 634, §6
(AMD).]
C. Part of the rental income collected by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services,
Bureau of General Services pursuant to this subsection be transferred to the Department of Defense,
Veterans and Emergency Management, Maine National Guard Education Assistance Pilot
Program, Other Special Revenue Funds account for the reimbursement of the purchase of
supplemental life insurance as provided for in the provisions of Title 37-B, section 390-B; [PL
2009, c. 1, Pt. CC, §2 (AMD).]
D. Beginning July 1, 2007, part of the rental income collected by the Department of Administrative
and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services pursuant to this subsection be transferred to the
Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management for maintenance and repair of
National Guard armories in the State; and [PL 2005, c. 634, §6 (NEW).]
E. Part of the rental income collected by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services,
Bureau of General Services pursuant to this subsection be transferred to the Department of Defense,
Veterans and Emergency Management, Disaster Assistance Relief, Other Special Revenue Funds
account for disaster assistance; [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. P, §1 (AMD).]
[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. P, §1 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 288, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]
27. Disaster assistance.
[PL 2009, c. 1, Pt. CC, §4 (RP).]
28. State landfills. To own, design, develop or operate, or contract with private parties to operate,
solid waste disposal facilities, as provided in Title 38, chapter 24, subchapter 4; and
[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. P, §2 (AMD).]
29. Accept contributions. To accept contributions from public and private sources for the
maintenance, repair and construction of state facilities. Contributed funds must be invested as provided
by law with the earnings credited to the appropriate fund to be used for the same purposes.
[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. P, §3 (NEW).]
The head of any agency, board, commission, department of the State Government or school
administrative unit, not otherwise exempted by law, who contemplates any public improvement, must
first obtain the approval of the Director of the Bureau of General Services for such work. This paragraph
is not intended to restrict the head of any agency, board, commission or department of the State
Government from making emergency repairs to any state-owned building, public work or property or
any property under lease to the State Government or to restrict any school administrative unit under
like conditions that is under that person's supervision and control whenever it appears that such repairs
are immediately necessary to prevent injury to persons or further damage to such buildings or property.
[PL 1991, c. 780, Pt. Y, §58 (AMD).]

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