Governor Janet Mills welcomed back the Legislature today for the Second Regular Session. In a statement, the Governor said she looks forward to working with members of both parties to improve health care, strengthen the economy, and fight climate change.
“From expanding Medicaid to unveiling a new economic development strategy to embracing clean, renewable energy, our state has made significant progress this past year — but there is more to do,” said Governor Mills. “This session, I look forward to working with the Legislature to continue to tackle health insurance issues, to support quality early and adult education, to strengthen our economy and expand our workforce, and to protect Maine people from the impacts of climate change. By tackling these issues, Maine can and will continue to make progress for its people and future generations.”
Following-up on several bills held at the end of last session for further consideration, Governor Mills also announced today that she has partnered with members of the Legislature to recall several, which may then be amended, voted on, and, if passed, sent back to the Governor. The move demonstrates Governor Mills’ continued commitment to working collaboratively with the Legislature to bridge differences, develop solutions, and enact good public policy for Maine people.
“I take very seriously my Constitutional obligation to review legislation, consider its implications, and decide whether it is in the best interest of Maine people,” continued Governor Mills. “I also take very seriously my responsibility to work with – and not against – the Legislature to find solutions to our problems and to enact good public policy for our state. By recalling these bills from my desk, the Legislature and I will have additional time to work together to amend them and to make sure that we arrive at a result that we all believe is workable and beneficial for Maine. These collaborative efforts will produce better public policy for our state and are a testament to the return of normalcy in Augusta.”
The Legislature is recalling the following bills from the Governor’s desk for further consideration or drafting clarification:
- LD 766 “An Act Regarding the Penobscot Nation’s and Passamaquoddy Tribe’s Authority To Exercise Jurisdiction under the Federal Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 and the Federal Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013”
- LD 775 “An Act To Expand Community Support Services for Certain Adult Members of the MaineCare Program”
- LD 1016 “Resolve, To Require the Construction of a New District Headquarters Building for the Bureau of Forestry in Fort Kent”
- LD 1294 “Resolve, Directing the Maine Human Rights Commission To Implement a Pilot Program To Investigate and Report on Incidents of Harassment Due to Housing Status, Lack of Employment and Other Issues”
- LD 1315 “An Act To Support Medically Monitored Crisis Support and Intervention”
- LD 1342 “An Act To Establish the Maine Workforce, Research, Development and Student Achievement Institute”
- LD 1426 “An Act To Increase Protections for Land Installment Contracts”
- LD 1453 “An Act To Improve Dental Health for Maine Children and Adults with Low Incomes”
- LD 1612 “An Act Regarding the Presumption of Abandonment of Gift Obligations”
- LD 1670 "An Act To Limit the Dissemination of Juvenile Records"
- LD 1698 “An Act To Create Jobs and Slow Climate Change by Promoting the Production of Natural Resources Bioproducts”
- LD 1703 “An Act To Improve Consistency within the Maine Human Rights Act”
- LD 1756 "An Act To Improve Public Safety through Coordinated Reentry of Prisoners into the Community"
Governor Mills continues to have in her possession twenty-seven bills. She has until Saturday, January 11, 2020, which is three days after the opening of session, not including the first day, to either veto or to allow any held bills to become law without her signature.