LobbyComply Blog

The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices proposed routine technical changes to update the commission’s rules after the passage of two campaign finance bills this session. Proposed updates include guidance on the disclosure required for paid communications containing misleading manipulated media of a candidate and a threshold increase for filing independent expenditure disclosure reports. The commission will hold a hearing on June 24 and will accept comments through July 8.

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The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices proposed commencing a rulemaking at the upcoming meeting on May 27. The purpose is to update the commission’s rules based on newly chaptered laws from this year’s legislative session. Legislative changes to be addressed include disclosure requirements for paid communications containing manipulated images or audio of a candidate, and an increase to the spending threshold for independent expenditure reporting. If the rulemaking is commenced, an invitation to comment is expected to begin on June 1.

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The second regular session of the 132nd Legislature adjourned sine die after a veto session on April 29. Lawmakers passed two campaign finance bills, Legislative Documents 517 and 2000. Legislative Document 517 requires public communications that use synthetic media to include a disclaimer, and Legislative Document 2000 increased the monetary minimums for filing 24-hour PAC and independent expenditure reports. The general effective date for laws passed without an emergency designation is July 29. 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 General Assembly passed a bill increasing the monetary threshold for 24-hour PAC reports and independent expenditure reports. Legislative Document 2000 requires PACs to file 24-hour reports after receiving a contribution of at least $10,000 or making an expenditure of $2,500 or more. Previously, PACs were required to file when receiving a contribution of at least $5,000 or making an expenditure of $1,000 or more. The threshold for PACs to file independent expenditure reports is increased from $250 or more per candidate to $1,000 or more per candidate. The bill became effective upon Gov. Mills’s approval.

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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.