The Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous & Tribal Populations (PCRITP), Maine’s taxpayer-funded racial equity board, is getting kicked out of their office space by the building’s new owner.

The Permanent Commission was established by the Legislature in 2019 as a result of a bill sponsored by former House Speaker and now State Senator Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland) — although according to meeting minutes published by the commission, Talbot Ross was absent from nearly all of the commission’s 2024 meetings.

The commission voted in June of last year to approve a $538,168 budget for fiscal year 2025, which earmarked about $102,000 for operational costs, including roughly $48,000 office space, down from $133,722 in fiscal year 2024, which PCRITP described as “one-time costs related to acquiring office space.”

PCRITP currently operates out of an office building at 45 Church St. in Gardiner, just south of Augusta.

At the commission’s April 8 Finance and Operations Committee Meeting, PCRITP Executive Director Ariel Ricci and Operations Director Aaron Hooks Wayman discussed a “leasing update” that indicated the 45 Church St. building had been sold, and that due to an insurance issue they would have to find a new office space.

“Our building has been sold, and the new owner is refusing to obtain the insurance required under our lease,” a description of the situation in the meeting agenda reads. “Based on guidance from the Attorney General’s Office and Risk Management, we must vacate 45 Church St.”

“The Division of Leased Space has connected us with a commercial real estate broker. The Executive Director is in contact with the broker, who will share office options in the Augusta area early next week. Site visits will follow,” it reads.

The agenda states that while the commission has not confirmed a move-out date, they have been advised that the lease termination process allows for a 60-80 day transition.

“Staff have been informed, and we’ll share updates as we learn more,” it states.