Bill
Bill > LD2158
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
02/26/2026
02/26/2026
Passed
03/05/2026
03/05/2026
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
Under current law and the Knox County charter, the Knox County budget committee consists of 9 members who serve 4-year terms. If a vacancy in the membership occurs, the budget committee is required to fill the vacancy, subject to confirmation by a majority of the Knox County commissioners. Under the Knox County charter, business may not be conducted unless there is a quorum of at least 5 members. Due to the inability to fill seats, the budget committee has only 4 members, so it cannot conduct business, including filling the vacant seats. This bill provides temporary authority for the Knox County commissioners to appoint eligible residents to the budget committee whenever, due to a vacancy, a quorum cannot be attained. The bill establishes a process for recognizing recommendations of eligible residents of Knox County put forward by municipalities located in the district for the seat that is vacant. The bill does not affect the requirement of the budget committee to fill vacancies once it has a quorum. The authority granted by this bill expires April 1, 2029.
AI Summary
This bill temporarily allows Knox County commissioners to appoint eligible residents to the Knox County Budget Committee when there are fewer than five members, which is the minimum number needed for the committee to conduct business (a quorum). This measure is necessary because the committee currently has only four members due to unfilled vacancies, preventing it from functioning. The bill also establishes a process where municipalities within Knox County can recommend candidates for vacant seats, and the commissioners must consider these recommendations when making appointments. Appointed members will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term and have full voting rights. This temporary authority, which does not prevent the Budget Committee from filling vacancies once it has a quorum, will expire on April 1, 2029.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (6)
Bill Pluecker (I)*,
Pinny Beebe-Center (D),
Vicki Doudera (D),
Valli Geiger (D),
Ann Matlack (D),
D. Ray (D),
Last Action
Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. (on 03/10/2026)
bill text
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=2158&snum=132 |
| House: C-A (H-810) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1447&item=2&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: C-A (H-810) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN215802.pdf |
| Fiscal Note: Text | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN215801.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1447&item=1&snum=132 |
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