LobbyComply Blog

Maine will hold a special election for House District 29 on June 9, which corresponds with the primary election date. The seat became vacant after Rep. Kathy Javner passed away after a battle with cancer during her final term in office. Candidate nominations are to be submitted to the Office of Secretary of State by March 6.

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The Maine Ethics Commission has scheduled the 2026 harassment trainings for lobbyists. The training is mandatory for lobbyists and lobbyist associates and must be completed annually. Virtual trainings will be held on December 30, January 5, and January 12. Registration is available through the Maine Ethics Commission website.

A special election will be held February 24 to fill a vacancy in Maine House District 94. The seat was previously held by Kristen Cloutier, who resigned October 31 to become chief of staff for Maine’s Senate President. Candidate nominations are to be submitted to the Office of Secretary of State by December 17.

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The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics proposed rule amendments to align with statutory changes regarding contributions by lobbyists and to make uniform citations. The proposal clarifies rules relating to the ban on lobbyist contributions during legislative sessions and adds a definition for covered officials. The commission will accept written comments on the proposal until October 6 and will hold a public hearing for comments during the commission’s meeting on September 24.

The First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the ban on contributions from foreign government-influenced entities is likely unconstitutional. The ban, which was approved by voters in a ballot measure in 2023, was found to be too broad and overly restrictive on speech. The case will now be sent back to the district court.

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The Maine Legislature adjourned sine die on June 25, ending the First Special Session of the 132^nd Legislature. Lawmakers passed Legislative Document 009, which increases campaign finance disclosure requirements including creating a definition for public communication to clarify which types of communications to voters must contain a disclosure. Another passed bill, Legislative Document 1787, increases the permissible seed money contribution to gubernational candidates participating in the Maine Clean Elections Act to $250 per individual. Gov. Janet Bills signed both bills, and they will be effective September 24. This does affect lobbying reporting. A registered lobbyist who anticipates no further lobbying for a client may file a request for a non-session waiver with their final monthly report for the session.

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The Maine Legislature passed Legislative Document 1576, which extends the one-year prohibition on lobbying to include former employees of the legislative branch. Currently, the one-year prohibition is only applicable to former employees of the executive branch. Gov. Mills allowed the bill to become law without her signature, and it will go into effect January 1, 2026.

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The Maine Legislature passed a bill increasing contribution limits for unenrolled candidates nominated by petition. Currently, both unenrolled candidates and party candidates nominated by election have the same contribution limits. Under Legislative Document 390, contribution limits for candidates who are unenrolled are doubled, while contribution limits for candidates nominated by primary elections remain the same. If approved by Gov. Mills, the bill will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns.

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The Maine Legislature adjourned sine die on March 21 after the passage of a budget for the next biennium. The Legislature was unable to secure the two-thirds majority required for the bill to be considered an emergency measure, which would have allowed the budget to take effect immediately after the governor’s signature. Without an emergency designation, all bills take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns. With the adjournment, the budget and other non-emergency bills will take effect June 20. After approving the budget, Gov. Mills signed a proclamation calling the Legislature to reconvene March 25 for a special session.

City Council voted 8-1 to establish an ethics commission over two years after voters approved the idea by ballot question in 2022. City Council will adopt a code of ethics created by the commission, and the code will be updated every three years. The commission will have the power to issue advisory opinions and decisions on violations of the code of ethics.

The Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices raised contribution limits based on adjustments to the consumer price index. Individuals, PACs, and corporations may now contribute up to $2,075 per election to gubernatorial candidates; $500 per election to legislative candidates; and $600 per election for municipal candidates. The next adjustment to contribution limits is expected to occur in 2027.

Attorney General Aaron Fey agreed to delay the enforcement of new contribution limits related to independent expenditures until May 30 while they are being challenged in court for constitutionality.

Ballot Question 1, approved in last year’s November election, restricts contributions to political action committees for the purpose of making independent expenditures to $5,000 per year.

These contributions were unrestricted before the passage of the ballot question.

The Maine Ethics Commission has scheduled the 2025 harassment trainings for lobbyists.

The training is mandatory for lobbyists and lobbyist associates and must be completed annually.

Virtual trainings will be held on December 18, December 19, January 7, and January 9.

Registration is available through the Maine Ethics Commission website.

Voters approved Question 1 with an overwhelming majority of the vote.

The ballot question sets an aggregate $5,000 limit for individuals, business entities, and PACs contributing to PACs making independent expenditures.

Beginning December 1, contribution limits will be adjusted every two years based on the consumer price index.