Maine State Senate
General Information
Party control:	Democrat
Session start:	January 7, 2026
Session end:	April 15, 2026
Term length:	2 years
Term limits:	4 terms (8 years)
Redistricting:	Legislature-dominant
Salary:	$25,000 for the first regular session. $20,000 for the second regular session. + per diem
Members
Total:	35
Democrats:	20
Republicans:	14
Other:	1
Vacancies:	0
Leadership
President:	Matthea Daughtry (D)
Maj. Leader:	Teresa Pierce (D)
Min. Leader:	Harold Stewart (R)
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

TheMaine State Senate is theupper chamber of theMaine State Legislature. Alongside theMaine House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Maine state government and works alongside thegovernor of Maine to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Maine State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Maine State Senate meets in the State House inAugusta, Maine.

This page contains the following information on the Maine State Senate.

• Which partycontrols the chamber
• The chamber'scurrent membership
• Partisan control of the chamberover time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• Adistrict map
• Howredistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list ofcommittees

Party control

Current partisan control

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Maine State Senate as of February 2026:

Members

Leadership

The president of the Senate is elected by the full body. The president is the presiding officer, whose duties include appointing all committees and a president pro tempore, enforcing order, and voting in all cases. The president pro tempore serves as presiding officer when the president is absent.^[1][2]

Leadership and members

• Senate president:Matthea Daughtry (D)
• Majority leader:Teresa Pierce (D)
• Minority leader:Harold Stewart (R)

Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries

Swearing in dates

See also:When state legislators assume office after a general election

Maine legislators assume office the day before the first Wednesday of December following the general election.^[4][5]

Membership qualifications

See also:State legislature candidate requirements by state

Section 6 of Part 2 of Article 4 of theMaine Constitution states, "The Senators shall be 25 years of age at the commencement of the term, for which they are elected, and in all other respects their qualifications shall be the same as those of the Representatives."^[6]

Section 4 of Part 1 of Article 4 of theMaine Constitution states, "Qualifications; residency requirement. No person shall be a member of the House of Representatives, unless the person shall, at the commencement of the period for which the person is elected, have been 5 years a citizen of the United States, have arrived at the age of 21 years, have been a resident in this State one year; and for the 3 months next preceding the time of this person's election shall have been, and, during the period for which elected, shall continue to be a resident in the district which that person represents.

No person may be a candidate for election as a member of the House of Representatives unless, at the time of the nomination for placement on a primary, general or special election ballot, that person is a resident in the district which the candidate seeks to represent."^[6]

Historical party control

Democrats won control of the Maine State Senate in 2018. In2024, they won a 20-15 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Maine Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Trifecta history

Astate government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Maine was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 2003-2010, 2019-2023
• Republican trifecta: 2011-2012
• Divided government: 1992-2002, 2013-2018

Elections

Elections by year

Maine state senators servetwo-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Maine holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026

See also:Maine State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for theMaine State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isJune 9, 2026. The filing deadline isMarch 16, 2026.

2024

See also:Maine State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for theMaine State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasJune 11, 2024. The filing deadline wasMarch 15, 2024.

In the 2024 elections, Democrats lost two seats but maintained their majority in the Maine State Senate. The Democratic majority went from 22-13 to 20-15.

2022

See also:Maine State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for theMaine State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 14, 2022. The filing deadline was March 15, 2022.

In the 2022 elections, Democrats maintained their 22-13 majority in the Maine State Senate.

2020

See also:Maine State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office ofMaine State Senate took place in 2020. All35 seats were up for election.Twenty-one were held by Democrats and14 were held by Republicans. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for July 14, 2020. The filing deadline was March 16, 2020.

In the 2020 elections, Democrats gained one seat in the Maine State Senate and increased their majority to 22–13.

2018

See also:Maine State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for theMaine State Senate took place in 2018. Theclosed primary election took place on June 12, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The major party candidate filing deadline wasMarch 15, 2018, and the third-party and independent candidate filing deadline was June 1, 2018.^[7]

In the 2018 elections, Democrats flipped four seats and gained control of the Maine State Senate.

2016

See also:Maine State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for theMaine State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 15, 2016.^[8] All35 seats in theMaine State Senate were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 20-15 majority. Republicans lost two seats in the election, giving them a 18-17 majority.

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014 See also:Maine State Senate elections, 2014 Elections for theMaine State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 10, 2014, and a general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for party candidates wishing to run in this election was March 17, 2014. The deadline for write-in candidates to run in the primary election was April 28, 2014, and the deadline for non-party candidates to run in the general election was June 2, 2014. All 35 Senate seats were up for election in 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 19-15 majority with one independent member. Democrats lost four seats in the election, giving Republicans a 20-15 majority. Maine State Senate Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 19 15      Republican Party 15 20      Independent 1 0 Total 35 35 2012 See also:Maine State Senate elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Maine State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 12, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 15, 2012. All 35 Senate seats were up for election in 2012. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 19-15 majority with one independent member. Republicans lost six seats in the election, giving Democrats a 21-13 majority with one independent member. Maine State Senate Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 15 21      Republican Party 19 13      Independent 1 1 Total 35 35 The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012. 2012 Margin of Victory, Maine State Senate District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 17 Garrett Mason 0.1% 19,608 Colleen Quint District 20, Chris Johnson 0.8% 217,156,271 Leslie Fossel District 21 Patrick Flood 1.4% 20,340 David Bustin District 28 Brian Langley 2.1% 21,453 David White District 32 Geoffrey Gratwick 2.9% 17,088 Nichi Farnham District 35 Troy Dale Jackson 3.1% 16,537 Peter Edgecomb District 29 David Burns 5.4% 16,602 Anne Perry District 25 Colleen Lachowicz 5.7% 16,485 Thomas Martin, Jr. District 11 Richard Woodbury 5.8% 24,804 Christopher Tyll District 4 David Dutremble 7% 18,811 James Booth 2010 See also:Maine State Senate elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Maine State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 15, 2010, for partisan candidates and June 1, 2010, for independent and unenrolled candidates. All 35 Senate seats were up for election in 2010. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 20-15 majority. Democrats lost six seats in the election, giving Republicans a 20-14 majority with one independent member. Maine State Senate Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 20 14      Republican Party 15 20      Independent 0 1 Total 35 35 In 2010, the candidates running for state Senate raised a total of $1,988,888 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[9] 2010 Donors, Maine State Senate Donor Amount Public Fund $1,809,803 Nadeau, James A $8,386 Schweitzer, Daniel J $3,810 James A Nadeau/Loan Forgiven, $000 balance $3,500 Whalen, Francis J $3,194 Maine Association of Realtors $2,150 Millercoors $1,900 Maine Dental Association $1,800 Bangor Historic Track $1,750 Maine Credit Union League $1,650 2008 See also:Maine State Senate elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Maine State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 10, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,854,105. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2008 Donors, Maine State Senate Donor Amount Public Fund $1,621,186 Davis, Gerald M $5,200 Cushing, John William $3,806 Maine Association Of Realtors $3,000 Maine Senate Republican Victory Fund $2,250 Maine Insurance Agents Association $2,250 Maine Bankers Association $2,000 Drummond Woodsum & MacMahon $1,750 Pack, Russell Wayne $1,535 Greenier, Joseph H $1,503 2006 See also:Maine State Senate elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Maine State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 13, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,990,662. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2006 Donors, Maine State Senate Donor Amount Public Fund $1,725,621 Maine Association Of Realtors $2,500 Maine Bankers Association $2,000 PHRMA $2,000 Maine Insurance Agents Association $1,750 Maine Association Of Insurance & Financial Advisors $1,650 Maine Hospital Association $1,500 Maine Medical Association $1,250 Maine Forest Products Council $1,250 Business Minded Democrats $1,250 2004 See also:Maine State Senate elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Maine State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 8, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total of contributions to Senate candidates was $2,095,278. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2004 Donors, Maine State Senate Donor Amount Public Fund $1,428,790 Linnehan Jr, John D $200,000 Dow, Dana L $40,832 Sawyer Jr, W Tom $10,442 Dyar, Clyde E $8,239 Hastings III, David R $2,789 Senate Republican Leadership Of Maine $2,750 Maine Bankers Association $2,500 Maine Oil Dealers Association $2,100 Senate Democratic Campaign Cmte Of Maine $2,000 2002 See also:Maine State Senate elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Maine State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 11, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,323,033. The top 10 contributors were:[13] 2002 Donors, Maine State Senate Donor Amount Public Fund $918,417 Fossel, Leslie T $24,922 Seed Money $17,528 Sawyer Jr, W Tom $12,041 Senate Republican Leadership Of Maine $3,750 Maine Unlimited $3,750 Leadership For Maine's Future $3,750 Maine Bankers Association $3,000 Maine State Employees Association $3,000 Hall, Christopher G L $2,830 2000 See also:Maine State Senate elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Maine State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 13, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,368,281. The top 10 contributors were:[14] 2000 Donors, Maine State Senate Donor Amount Public Fund $603,159 Sawyer Jr, W Tom $128,946 Mack, Adam $25,500 Sawyer Jr, W Tom $15,100 Senate Republican Leadership Of Maine $7,750 Maine Unlimited $7,500 Leadership For Maine's Future $7,250 Maine Bankers Association $6,850 Maine State Employees Association $5,500 Hall, Christopher G L $5,500

Term limits

See also:State legislatures with term limits

TheMaine legislature is one of16 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted theMaine Term Limits Act in 1993. That initiative said that Maine senators are subject toterm limits of no more than four two-year terms, or a total of eight years.

The first year that theterm limits enacted in 1993 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 1996.^[15]

Vacancies

See also:How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in theMaine State Legislature, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat.^[16][17] Thegovernor must call for an election and inform political committees of the nomination deadline.^[18][16][17] The person elected to the seat serves for the remainder of the unexpired term.^[19]

See sources:Maine Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 21-A, § 382Maine Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 21-A, §366 andMaine Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 21-A, § 381

District map

See also:Maine state legislative districts

The state of Maine has 186 legislative districts. Each district elects one representative. The state Senate has 35 districts and the state House has 151 districts. Three Native American tribes, the Penobscot Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, are allocated one non-voting member each in the House.^[20]

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting

See also:Redistricting in Maine

In Maine, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. An advisory commission is also involved in the process. A two-thirds majority is required to approve new district maps, which are subject to veto by thegovernor.^[21]

The composition of the 15-member advisory redistricting commission is as follows:^[21]

1. The majority and minority leaders of theMaine State Senate each select two commissioners.
2. The majority and minority leaders of theMaine House of Representatives each appoint three commissioners.
3. The chairs of the state's two major political parties (i.e., theRepublican andDemocratic parties) each appoint one member.
4. The aforementioned 12 commissioners appoint two more members from the public, "with each party's representatives coordinating to choose one commissioner."
5. The two public commissioners appoint one additional member.

This commission may make recommendations to the state legislature regarding redistricting, but the legislature is not bound to abide by the commission's recommendations.If the state legislature is unable to pass a redistricting plan, the responsibility falls to theMaine Supreme Court.^[21]

State statutes require that congressional districts be compact and contiguous, In addition, state laws require that congressional districts "cross political subdivision lines as few times as possible."^[21]

TheMaine Constitution mandates that state legislative districts be "compact and contiguous, and that they cross political subdivision lines as few times as possible."^[21]

2020

See also:Redistricting in Maine after the 2020 census

On September 29, 2021, Gov.Janet Mills (D) signed legislation enacting redrawn state legislative district boundaries. The Maine Apportionment Commission approved final maps and submitted them to the legislature on September 27, 2021. TheMaine Senate unanimously approved both maps by a vote of 31-0. TheMaine House of Representatives approved new district boundaries for the state Senate by a vote of 129-0 and new state House district boundaries by a vote of 119-10.^[22] These maps took effect for Maine’s 2022 legislative elections.

The Maine Wire reported, "The legislature made no changes to the maps the Apportionment Commission submitted, but some legislators did express dissatisfaction with the way districts had been drawn."^[23] Some lawmakers objected to changes made to the composition of their districts, such asBen Collings (D). After the plans were approved, Collings said, "“I did my best to work with the [apportionment] committee and use the process to make those changes.” “Unfortunately that did not come together for the district I represent.”^[22]

District map before and after 2020 redistricting

Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.

2010

See also:Redistricting in Maine after the 2010 census

On May 23, 2013, the advisory redistricting commission submitted its recommendation for new state Senate districts. A recommendation for new state House districts followed on May 24, 2013. The legislature approved a version of the commission's recommended plan on June 5, 2013. The new maps were signed into law by the governor on June 14, 2013.^[21]

Sessions

Legislation

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Maine State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by the House and signed by the governor after its passage in the Senate. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated byBillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Maine by year

2025

See also:2025 Maine legislative session andDates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on December 4, 2024, and adjourn on March 21, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also:2024 Maine legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2024, and adjourn on April 17, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 Maine legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on December 7, 2022, and adjourn on March 30, 2023. 2022 See also:2022 Maine legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 5, 2022, and adjourn on May 9, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 Maine legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on December 2, 2020, and adjourn on March 30, 2021. 2020 See also:2020 Maine legislative session andDates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2020, and adjourn on March 17, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also:Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. TheMaine State Legislature adjourned its session early, effective March 17, 2020, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.[24] 2019 See also:2019 Maine legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from December 5, 2018, through June 19, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 Maine legislative session andDates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2018, through May 2, 2018**. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017 See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from December 7, 2016, through July 4, 2017. The legislature reconvened on July 20, 2017, to override vetoes and other unfinished business. The legislature held a veto session on August 2, 2017. The Legislature held a special session on October 23 over a food sovereignty law and funding for the state mapping agency. The Legislature met in special session on November 6 over Gov. LePage's veto of a bill that would legalize the sale of recreational marijuana. The House did not have enough votes to override the veto. Click [show] to read about the 2017 partial government shutdown. A partial government shutdown ended in Maine on July 4, 2017, after Governor Paul LePage signed a $7.1 billion, two-year budget passed by the legislature. The final compromises were over the elimination of a proposed lodging tax increase and the allocation of additional money for public education. House Republicans were able to see the removal of an increase in the lodging tax from 9 percent to 10.5 percent. Democrats got additional funding to Head Start and Clean Election programs, as well as $162 million to go towards K-12 spending.[25] Non-essential government services—such as state parks and Bureau of Motor Vehicle offices—were shut down after a budget had not been signed by July 1. The last time Maine’s government shutdown was a 16-day shutdown in 1991.[26] The 2017 shutdown was resolved after three days. Maine’s legislative session was originally scheduled to end on June 21, but lawmakers voted to extend the 2017 legislative session by five days, not required to be concurrent. The cost of the five-day extension of the session was estimated to be $94,600.[27] The key issue throughout much of Maine’s 2017 legislative session was a voter approved ballot measure calledQuestion 2, which authorized an additional 3 percent tax on the portion of any household income exceeding $200,000 per year and earmarked the revenue to fund public education. The budget deal included the repeal of Question 2. Click [show] to read about the 2017 veto session. In a veto session on August 2, 2017, the Maine State Legislature voted to sustain 14 vetoes issued by Gov.Paul LePage (R) and to override 13 others. Included in the legislation that the Legislature voted in favor of was a bill increasing the legal age for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21, making Maine the fifth state to up its age limit for buying products such as cigarettes. Included in the legislation that Legislature voted against—i.e. to uphold the veto—was a bill prohibiting the use of handheld electronic devices such as cell phones while driving. Maine is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto. LePage criticized both bills when they arrived on his desk, calling them social engineering. “I don’t believe that social engineering a society is going to create a good society,” LePage said in a radio interview in July. Supporters of these bills have said that raising the age to purchase tobacco products could make individuals less likely to start smoking and that prohibiting the use of handheld electronic devices while driving could decrease traffic accidents. As of June 2017, 15 states banned the use of handheld devices while driving. Other vetoes that the Legislature voted to override included legislation related to filling vacancies in the state’s public health nursing system and legislation related to opioid addiction services. Vetoes that the Legislature voted to sustain included legislation related solar energy and insurance coverage for individuals with mental health issues.[28] 2016 See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 6 through April 20. A one-day veto session was held on April 29. 2015 See also:Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from December 3, 2014, through July 16, 2015 (extended session). Major issues in 2015 Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included the state economy, government financial aid, and energy policy.[29] 2014 See also:Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 8 through May 2. Major issues in 2014 Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included Medicaid expansion vetoed by Gov.Paul LePage (R) during the last session and government financial aid.[30] 2013 See also:Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from December 5, 2012, to July 10, 2013. Major issues in 2013 Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included addressing education, energy, domestic violence, jobs, strengthening the state's economy, and a new two-year budget that was facing a $128 million deficit.[31] Election of constitutional officers TheMaine House of Representatives voted 79-59 on June 4 to reject a proposal to allow voters to select the state’sTreasurer,Secretary of State, andAttorney General. LD 1279 called for a referendum to amend theMaine State Constitution to shift the selection of these officers from the Legislature to voters.[32] The bill sponsored byRepresentative Andre Cushing (R) called for two-year terms for the Treasurer and Secretary of State and a four-year term for the Attorney General. At the time, legislators selected all three officers every two years. This legislation was blocked on June 3 by theMaine State Senate 18-16.[33] The House and Senate votes largely followed party lines with Democratic majorities in both houses. Republican majorities in the House and Senate blocked similar legislation in 2011.[34][35] 2012 See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 4 through May 31. Major issues in 2012 Lawmakers faced a $221 million budget deficit. They also looked to restructure the state Medicaid system, reduce energy costs, and improve charter schools.[36] 2011 See also:Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from December 1, 2010, to June 28, 2011. Maine statutes required the legislature to adjourn by June 15, however, pursuant to Joint Order S.P. 520, the regular session was extended.[37] On June 16, GovernorPaul LePage ordered lawmakers home for 12 days, only to return to the statehouse for a special veto session to begin June 28.[38] The GOP legislature andRepublicanGovernorPaul LePage agreed on a fiscal year 2012 budget late in the session, with LePage signing the final bill on June 20. The final deal cut taxes by $150 million, lowering the top income tax rate from 8.5% to 7.95% and taking 70,000 low-income citizens off the income tax rolls entirely. Dirigo Health, an "experiment in near-universal health care," would be phased out entirely by the beginning of 2014. LePage's first budget also cut government financial aid programs including benefits for legal noncitizens and limited participation in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to five years.[39] 2010 See also:Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 6 to April 12.

About legislative sessions in Maine

TheTenth Amendment of theU.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[40] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions,legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article IV, Part Third of the Maine Constitution establishes when theMaine State Legislature, of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 1 of the Part states that, following a legislative election, the Legislature is to convene its first regular session on the first Wednesday of December. The second regular session of the legislature is to convene in the next even-numbered year. This second session is to convene on the first Wednesday after the first Tuesday in January. Section 1 also instructs the Legislature to enact statutory limits on the length of its regular sessions.

Section 1 also establishes the procedures for convening special sessions of the Legislature. A special session can be convened by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House, with the consent of a majority of legislators from each political party.^[41]

Legislative roles and procedures

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includesveto overrides,the role of the legislature in the state budget,term limits,procedures for filling membership vacancies, andredistricting.

Veto overrides

See also:Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Maine are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.

Authority:Article IV, Part Third, Section 2 of theMaine Constitution.

Role in state budget

See also:Maine state budget and finances

Maineon

Check outBallotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets •Civil liberties •Education •Elections •Energy •Environment •Healthcare •Pensions

The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[42]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies inJuly of the year preceding the start of the new biennium.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests bySeptember 1.
3. Thegovernor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature inJanuary. This deadline is extended toFebruary for a newly elected governor.
4. The legislature adopts a budget by30 days prior to its adjournment. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The biennium begins onJuly 1.

Maine is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^[42][43]

The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the state legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.^[42]

Committees

See also:List of committees in Maine state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Maine State Senate has five standing committees:

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Maine Constitution can be amended:

See also:Part III of Article IV andArticle X of Maine Constitution andLaws governing ballot measures in Maine

TheMaine Constitution may be amended in two ways—through the legislative process, or a state constitutional convention. Maine residents cannot put a constitutional amendment on the ballot through the power ofinitiative. Maine does feature the power of initiative forinitiated state statutes.

Legislature

See also:Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A two-thirds majority (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for theMaine State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 101 votes in theMaine House of Representatives and 24 votes in theMaine State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Convention

See also:Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According to Section 15 of Part III of Article IV, the legislature can, by a two-thirds concurrent vote of both branches, call a constitutional convention. Maine has never called such a convention; however, two "constitutional commissions" were impaneled, one in 1876 and one in 1962, but neither led to significant changes.

See also

Elections	Maine State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Maine State Senate elections, 2026 Maine State Senate elections, 2024 Maine State Senate elections, 2022 Maine State Senate elections, 2020 Maine State Senate elections, 2018	Maine State Legislature Maine House of Representatives Governor of Maine Maine Supreme Court	State legislative elections:2026,2024,2023,2022,2021,2020,2019, and2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• Maine Legislature
• Maine State Senate
• Maine House of Representatives

Footnotes

	v • e State ofMaine Augusta (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? |Elections in 2026 |How to vote |How to run for office |Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? |U.S. President |U.S. Congress |Federal courts |State executives |State legislature |State and local courts |Counties |Cities |School districts |Public policy