2024 ME Legislative Scorecard

LD1156 proposes a $30 million bond issue to fund the design, development, and maintenance of nonmotorized, motorized, and multi-use trails across Maine. Administered by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the funds will be distributed through a competitive grant process to municipalities, state agencies, and nonprofits, with at least $3 million in matching contributions from public and private sources. Projects must prioritize sustainability, accessibility, and public access. Up to 3% of the funds may be used for program administration and 1% for planning grants. The bond issue requires voter approval in a statewide referendum.

The Maine State Senate passed LD1156 on April 16, 2024 by a vote of 29 to 3. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this bill expands state control over land, limiting private-property rights and increasing government influence. State ownership restricts how land can be used, preventing private individuals and businesses from purchasing and developing it. Additionally, these grants allow the government to pick winners and losers, an inappropriate role for the state. With existing heavy restrictions on taxpayer-owned land, Mainers should question whether this bond represents a responsible use of public funds.

LD1963 imposes new rules on the development of renewable energy transmission in northern Maine by shifting permit review to the Department of Environmental Protection and setting up a structured bidding process for new power lines and renewable energy projects. It mandates that new transmission lines connect at least 1,200 megawatts of renewable energy to the New England grid and prioritizes "energy equity." The bill also requires developers to enter into agreements ensuring "labor stability", "safety", and uninterrupted construction. Additionally, it promotes regional collaboration and federal funding incentives to support Maine’s renewable energy and "climate goals."

The Maine State Senate passed LD1963 on April 15, 2024 by a vote of 19 to 13. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this bill prioritizes government-defined “economic benefits” and so-called “energy equity” over free-market principles, while compelling developers to sign labor agreements that could drive up costs and limit competition. It also pushes regional collaboration and federal subsidies, further entrenching Maine’s dependence on federal oversight under the guise of Marxist "climate goals."

LD227 establishes legal protections for individuals and healthcare providers involved in “gender-affirming" and “reproductive health care” services. The law ensures that accessing such “services” is a legal “right” within the state and prohibits interference from out-of-state entities. It also safeguards healthcare practitioners from legal actions originating in other states related to these services.

The Maine State Senate passed LD227 on April 12, 2024 by a vote of 21 to 13. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this bill falsely declares access to these services a “right” despite no such guarantee in the Constitution, while violating the Declaration of Independence’s affirmation of unalienable rights, including life, protected by the Fifth and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Marxists and Leftists are pushing their woke agenda—claiming that one can choose his or her own gender and pronouns, and then force society to affirm them.

LD2130 prohibits unauthorized paramilitary training in Maine. It makes it a crime (Class D) to intentionally train others in using weapons or combat techniques if the trainer knows it will be used for "civil disorder." It also bans assembling for such training with the intent of furthering "civil disorder."

The Maine State Senate passed LD2130 on April 9, 2024 by a vote of 20 to 14. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this bill directly violates the First and Second Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The First Amendment guarantees the right to peaceably assemble, and the Second Amendment affirms that a well-regulated militia is necessary to the security of a free state. Criminalizing weapons training based on perceived intent grants the government excessive power to suppress lawful assembly and self-defense. The Constitution does not grant the state authority to dictate who may train with arms or for what purpose, and any law that does so undermines the very freedoms it was designed to protect.

LD1578 enters Maine into the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would allocate the state’s electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote—if enough states join to form a majority of electoral votes. It also updates Maine’s ranked-choice voting procedures for presidential elections to align with the compact. The law takes effect only if states with a majority of electoral votes enact similar legislation.

The Maine State Senate passed LD1578 on April 3, 2024 by a vote of 18 to 12. We have assigned pluses to the nays because the National Popular Vote movement undermines the Electoral College, which was designed to protect state sovereignty and prevent the “tyranny of the majority.” Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution prohibits interstate compacts without congressional approval, and altering the presidential election process requires an amendment via Article V. Additionally, ranked-choice voting is unconstitutional, weakens election integrity, and disenfranchises voters by allowing candidates to win without genuine majority support. Furthermore, Maine's election process should be determined by its Legislature, not by popular vote, as Article IV, Section 4 in the U.S. Constitution guarantees every state a republican form of government—one based on the rule of law, not mere majority rule.