Bill > LD1576

This bill extends a one-year lobbying prohibition to include both partisan and nonpartisan staff of the Maine Legislature, in addition to existing restrictions on executive branch employees. Specifically, the bill expands the definition of "former employee" to encompass all legislative employees, including partisan legislative staff, nonpartisan legislative staff, committee clerks, and employees of the Senate and House administrative offices. Starting January 1, 2026, these former legislative employees will be prohibited from engaging in compensated lobbying for one year after leaving their government positions. This restriction is similar to an existing rule for executive branch employees and is designed to prevent potential conflicts of interest where recently departed government employees might use their insider knowledge or connections to lobby on behalf of private interests. The bill amends the current lobbying prohibition statute to explicitly include legislative branch employees and sets a clear effective date of January 1, 2026, giving affected employees and organizations time to prepare for the new restrictions.

Military Affairs and Security

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1576&snum=132