Understanding Maine's Lawmaking Process: Bills To Laws

The process of how a bill becomes a law in Maine involves several stages, from the development of an idea to the governor's final decision. It begins with a legislator choosing to sponsor a bill, which can be suggested by a constituent, interest group, public official, or the governor. The bill is then drafted with the help of non-partisan staff, including the Revisor's Office, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis, and the Office of Fiscal and Program Review. Once the draft is complete, the bill is introduced and assigned a number, becoming a Legislative Document (LD). The next step is committee assignment, where the bill is referred to the appropriate committee based on its subject matter. The committee then schedules a public hearing, allowing supporters, opponents, and those with additional information to speak. After the public hearing, the committee holds a work session to discuss and vote on the bill. If the committee unanimously supports the bill, it moves through the remaining steps more quickly. If the committee does not support the bill, it may be effectively done. If the bill passes the committee stage, it moves to the full House and Senate for consideration, where it can be debated, amended, and voted on. Finally, if the bill passes both chambers, it is sent to the governor, who can sign it into law, veto it, or let it become law without a signature.

Bill ideas are submitted in December of even-numbered years

The legislative process in Maine is a long one, with many steps and key timelines. It operates on a biennial schedule, with each legislative session lasting two years. The legislative process is divided into two regular sessions during each two-year cycle. The two-year cycle begins when the legislature convenes at the start of an odd-numbered year.

Once a bill idea is submitted, the revisor office works with the information provided by the bill’s sponsor to craft legislative text. Sometimes the bill sponsor provides notes or a description. As a lobbyist, if I am working with the bill sponsor, I may take the first crack at drafting the legislative text, as this often helps the process along.

After the bill idea is submitted and the legislative text is drafted, the bill is given to the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate, depending on whether the bill sponsor is a representative or a senator. At this stage, the bill becomes a Legislative Document (LD) and is assigned a number.

The revisor's office crafts legislative text

The revisor's office plays a crucial role in crafting the legislative text of a bill. This office works closely with the bill's sponsor and other stakeholders, such as lobbyists, to turn their ideas and titles into a formal draft. The revisor's office has the expertise and knowledge to translate these ideas into the technical language required for legislation. They ensure the bill is in the proper form, style, and usage.

The revisor's office also assigns a Legislative Reference (LR) number to each bill. This number is used to track the bill through its development until it is printed as a Legislative Document (LD). The office serves as the central registry for all bill requests and manages the deadlines for submission. They ensure that bill requests contain sufficient information and direction to draft a complete bill.

During the drafting process, the revisor's office collaborates with the legislator, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis, and the Office of Fiscal and Program Review. Together, they provide research and drafting assistance to shape the bill. This collaboration ensures that the bill is not only technically sound but also considers the legal and fiscal implications.

Once the bill is drafted, the revisor's office reviews it to ensure it complies with established standards. They make any necessary edits to the draft to ensure it conforms to the proper form, style, and usage. This review process is crucial in maintaining consistency and clarity in legislative documents.

The revisor's office also prepares a summary of the bill, written in plain English. This summary provides a clear and concise explanation of the bill's content, making it accessible to the public and other stakeholders. It helps communicate the purpose and potential impact of the proposed legislation.

In addition to drafting and reviewing, the revisor's office also administers the cloture deadlines. Cloture refers to the process of bringing debate to a close and moving towards a vote. The revisor's office ensures that bills are submitted within the specified deadlines, facilitating the timely progression of the legislative process.

Bills are referred to a committee

Once a bill has been drafted, it is given to the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate, depending on whether the bill sponsor is a representative or a senator. At this stage, the bill is assigned a Legislative Document (LD) number and becomes a Legislative Document (LD). The Clerk and Secretary then recommend which committee should consider the bill, suggesting the committee of reference based on the bill's subject matter. For example, most bills that deal with farming are reviewed by the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee. If the Clerk and Secretary disagree on the committee of reference, they refer the matter to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. If they also disagree, the Legislative Council resolves the question.

Both chambers must agree on the committee assignment because most legislative committees in Maine are Joint Standing Committees composed of members from both the House and the Senate. Each committee considers bills in different subject areas. For instance, the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs may consider legislation affecting election processes, while the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services may consider legislation to increase funding for substance use disorder treatment.

Once a bill is assigned, it is placed on the calendar in the House or the Senate, depending on whether the bill sponsor is a representative or a senator. The chamber considering the bill will then vote to approve its committee assignment or refer it to another committee. The other chamber then votes on the same matter. This is typically a formality that is settled quickly. If the House and the Senate do not reach an agreement, that piece of legislation cannot go any further in the process.

The chairs of a committee schedule its meetings. When considering legislation, they first conduct a public hearing. This is an opportunity for people, experts, and advocacy groups to share what they think about a bill. At the public hearing, supporters, opponents, and those who are neither for nor against a bill but want to provide additional information are invited to speak. Most committees limit testimony to three minutes. Following the public hearing, the committee will hold a work session. During work sessions, lawmakers discuss bills and can call on subject matter experts and other lawmakers to answer questions. Committee members vote on the bill during the work session.

Committees hold public hearings

Once a bill has been assigned to a committee, it is placed on the calendar in the House or the Senate, depending on whether the bill sponsor is a representative or a senator. The chamber considering the bill will vote to approve its committee assignment or refer it to another committee. The other chamber then votes on the same matter. This is typically a formality that is settled quickly. If the House and the Senate do not reach an agreement, that piece of legislation cannot go any further in the process.

The chairs of a committee schedule its meetings. When considering legislation, they first conduct a public hearing. This is an opportunity for people, including constituents, subject area experts, advocacy groups, and lobbyists, to share what they think about a bill.

At the public hearing, supporters, opponents, and those who are neither for nor against a bill but want to provide additional information are invited to speak. Most committees limit testimony to three minutes. Post-COVID, hearings are hybrid with a Zoom option. If you miss a public hearing, they are recorded and available online at the legislature’s website.

After the public hearing, there is a work session. At this point, the committee reviews a summary of the testimony and any changes or amendments to the bill language that the sponsor suggests. Finally, the committee will often discuss the bill and either table it for further work or move forward with it.

Committees hold work sessions

At this stage, the committee reviews a summary of the testimony and any changes or amendments to the bill language that the sponsor suggests. Finally, the committee will often discuss the bill and either table it for further work or move forward with it. A unanimous supportive report from the committee helps the bill move through the remaining formal process in an expedited manner, and a unanimous "ought not to pass" means the bill is effectively done.

The committee's formal action on a bill comes later at what is called a work session. The purpose of work sessions is to allow committee members to discuss bills thoroughly and vote on the committee's recommendation, or report, to the Legislature. The committee works with the legislative analyst to draft amendments or review amendments proposed by others. Some bills require several work sessions.

Amendments are suggested changes to the bill, which may clarify, restrict, expand or correct it. At times, revisions are so extensive that the entire substance of the bill is changed by the amendment. On rare occasions, extensive revision of the bill may take the form of a new draft, rather than an amendment. A new draft is printed as an L.D. with a new number. Authorisation of the President and Speaker is required to prepare a new draft.

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