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ME LD1685
ME LD1685RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine Concerning the Direct Initiative Process
summary
Introduced
04/17/2025
04/17/2025
In Committee
04/17/2025
04/17/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
04/30/2025
04/30/2025
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine by modifying the direct initiative process to remove the requirement that a measure proposed by the people must go to referendum vote before becoming law when the Legislature has enacted an amended form of the measure proposed by the people or a substitute to the measure proposed by the people by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the members of each House present and voting. The resolution clarifies that if the Governor vetoes the measure, and the veto is sustained by the Legislature, the measure must then be referred to a referendum. The resolution clarifies that in the case that the Legislature has enacted an amended form of the measure proposed by the people or a substitute to the measure proposed by the people by a majority vote, but does not reach the 2/3 threshold, both the original and amended version of the measure must be sent to a referendum in such a manner that the people can choose one or the other, or reject both. The resolution also makes organizational changes to improve clarity.
AI Summary
This bill proposes an amendment to the Maine Constitution that modifies the direct initiative process, which allows citizens to propose laws through petition. Currently, if citizens propose a measure, the Legislature can either reject it, pass it unchanged, or propose an amended version. The proposed changes clarify the referendum process for such measures. Specifically, if the Legislature passes an amended version or substitute with a two-thirds majority vote, the measure will not go to a referendum vote. However, if the Legislature passes an amended version with only a majority vote, both the original and amended measures will be sent to voters in a referendum where they can choose one version, the other, or reject both. The bill also introduces new requirements for petition signatures, such as requiring 10% of the total votes cast in the last gubernatorial election and mandating that signatures be dated within one year of filing. Additionally, the bill specifies that if the Governor vetoes a legislatively passed measure and the veto is sustained, the measure must then be referred to voters. The amendment would be placed on the ballot in November, allowing Maine voters to decide whether to adopt these changes to the state constitution's initiative process.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (8)
Amanda Collamore (R)*,
John Eder (R),
Lucas Lanigan (R),
Chad Perkins (R),
Tracy Quint (R),
Tiffany Roberts (D),
Michael Soboleski (R),
Trey Stewart (R),
Last Action
Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) (on 04/30/2025)
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| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1685&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: Text | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN168501.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1120&item=1&snum=132 |
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