We had a busy week in Augusta, with action on issues from voting rights to digital privacy. Read about this week's highlights and see what's on our radar for next week.
See more priority legislation on our bill tracker.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
LD 1771 to Enforce the Right to a Speedy Trial
The Judiciary Committee held a work session for LD 1771 and supported it in an 8-5 vote. With LD 1771, Maine would join 41 other states and the federal government by adopting specific timelines to ensure criminal cases proceed fairly and efficiently. Without action, Maine will continue failing to uphold the people’s constitutional rights and court backlogs will continue to grow at ever-increasing expense to taxpayers. Read more about LD 1771, see our testimony, and ask lawmakers to support the bill here.
LD 1578 to Ensure One Person, One Vote
This bill passed the Senate on Wednesday with a vote of 22-13, following House passage earlier this month. Under LD 1578, Maine would join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. This would ensure the presidential candidate with the most votes in the country wins. A national popular vote would give each voter an equal impact on the outcome of the presidential election, furthering the principle of one person, one vote. Read more about LD 1578, see our testimony, and ask lawmakers to support the bill here.
LD 2046 to Unconstitutionally Incarcerate Innocent People Who Need Medical Care
LD 2046 passed the House on Wednesday. The Senate may take up the bill on Tuesday, March 19. This bill would make permanent a policy allowing the state to incarcerate legally innocent people who need health care simply because the state is not providing the resources for that care. A prison is not a substitute for a hospital, and this legislation would imprison people who have not been found guilty of committing a crime. We are encouraging senators to pass an amended version of LD 2046 that would end this harmful policy in July 2027. Read more about LD 2046 and see our testimony here.
Protecting Your Privacy from Big Tech
The Judiciary Committee held another work session on data privacy on Thursday. We are reviewing the most up to date bill language and expect the committee to vote next week. Maine needs legislation to protect its people from corporate surveillance. Under the current rules, companies are free to exploit our most sensitive information to turn a profit. This violates our most basic privacy, risks our safety, exacerbates inequality, and threatens our democracy. Read more about LD 1977 and see our testimony here.
LD 227 to Protect Essential Health Care
LD 227 would protect reproductive health care and essential health care for transgender people in Maine. We need this protection because extreme politicians have shown they will not stop at their own state’s borders in their efforts to ban certain types of health care. Maine’s laws and policies are clear that this health care is legal, and this bill would protect the ability to practice and access this care in Maine.
We are optimistic that LD 227 can pass, but rest assured that if it does not become law the status quo will remain in Maine. LD 227 would further protect patients and providers from out-of-state threats, but this health care will not be restricted if this bill does not become law. Following bomb threats and other intimidation tactics from people who oppose this legislation, lawmakers need to hear from you. Add your name asking lawmakers to support LD 227 here.
Ask lawmakers to support LD 227
LD 2007 to Partially Restore Tribal Sovereignty
LD 2007 has been pared down. The current draft would grant the Wabanaki Nations authority over some criminal legal proceedings that happen on tribal territory. State and federal laws exclude federally recognized tribes in Maine from the same benefits extended to every single other federally recognized tribe in the United States. This version of LD 2007 is a small step forward. Read more about these recent changes from the Maine Morning Star here. Read more about tribal sovereignty and take action with the Wabanaki Alliance here.
UPCOMING VOTES/ACTIONS
3/19/24, Committee on Judiciary: Protecting Mainers' Privacy from Big Tech
The Judiciary Committee may vote on LD 1977 during its meeting on Tuesday at 1PM. We are reviewing the latest bill language and are optimistic that lawmakers will support a bill to protect Maine people's privacy.
3/21/24, Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services: Protecting Essential Health Care in Maine
Committee members are likely to vote on LD 227 during their work session on Thursday. Add your name asking them to support LD 227 here.
3/21/24, Lobby Day to End the Failed War on Drugs
Join the Maine Recovery Advocacy Project and other advocates to ask lawmakers to support policies that increase pathways to treatment and end the failed policies of punishment and incarceration. See more and RSVP here.
Senate Vote on Public Defenders
The Judiciary Committee on March 6 unanimously supported LD 653 and we expect the Senate to vote next week. Among several things, LD 653 would fund the immediate hiring of two new public defenders and change the name of the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services (MCILS) to the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services. This bill would partially fund an MCILS proposal to open brick-and-mortar public defender offices throughout Maine in the coming years. We are urging lawmakers to fund the full proposal, but this bill would still move Maine in the right direction. Read more here.
TAKE ACTION
Emailing lawmakers is a great way to make your voice heard in Augusta. Contact your lawmakers now about the issues important to you. Adding your name only takes a moment.
