A key U.S. Senate panel has overwhelmingly endorsed a bill offered by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, that would assure that less populous states such as Maine continue to receive millions of dollars in homeland security grants.

The Homeland Security Committee, which Collins chairs, approved the measure by voice vote after its 15-1 rejection of an amendment from Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., that would have distributed grants on the basis of risk.

“The bill certainly improves the homeland security grant program,” said Collins. “It’s good for the country and good for the state of Maine.”

President Bush and the House of Representatives have proposed formulas different from the version that benefits states like Maine.

The debate is taking place at a time when homeland security funding to emergency responders is dwindling. Congress appropriated $2.9 billion for the grants last year and $2.4 billion this year. Bush has proposed $2 billion for the year starting Oct. 1.

Maine received $14 million this year, but under Bush’s budget would get $6.43 million next year. If Congress adopts Collins’ formula, the state could get $20 million next year.

The money is earmarked for projects such as improving emergency radios in Maine or helping Portland buy a new fireboat.

Under the Patriot Act, each state receives 0.75 percent of a pot set aside for emergency responders. Bush wants to distribute half the money to urban areas and divide the rest allowing a 0.25 minimum for small states.

In the House, Rep. Christopher Cox, R-Calif. and chairman of that chamber’s Homeland Security Committee, has proposed a 0.25 percent minimum for most states and 0.45 percent for those with an international border such as Maine. But he would allocate money first according to risk and then pay out state minimums, which is the opposite strategy from Collins.

Collins’ bill would reduce the amount guaranteed to each state to 0.55 percent, but would also apply the formula to funding that now goes exclusively to large cities.