132nd Maine Legislature Scorecard

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Read more about our priority bills and related legislative votes below or in our 132nd Legislative Bill Tracker and check your legislators’ ratings in our House Scorecard and Senate Scorecard. 

LD 14: An Act to Provide Indigenous Peoples Free Access to State Parks

Sponsor: Sen. Craig Hickman
Status: Passed both chambers and funded in the Supplemental Budget which was signed by the governor.
More Info: LD 14 bill brief 
House and Senate: A yes vote on the scorecard was in support of the legislation. There was no roll call in the Senate, effectively meaning all Senators voted for the legislation. The House passed the measure 121-18.

The legislation allows any tribal member free admission to any Maine State Park. 

See how your Representative and Senator voted on LD 14.

LD 395: Resolve, Establishing the Working Group to Develop Recommendations for Extending Federal Beneficial Laws to the Wabanaki Nations

Sponsor: Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross
More info: LD 395 bill brief 
Status: Passed in both chambers and signed into law by the governor.
House and Senate: A yes vote on the scorecard was in support of the legislation. There was no roll call in the Senate, effectively meaning all Senators voted for the legislation. The House passed the measure 91-54.

When first introduced, LD 395 was originally titled “An Act to Restore Access to Federal Laws Beneficial to the Wabanaki Nations” and would have amended the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act and the Aroostook Band of Micmacs Settlement Act so that the Wabanaki tribes could benefit from most existing and future federal laws that apply to the more than 570 other federally recognized tribes. However, the legislation was changed to create a working group to develop consensus recommendations for extending the benefits of federal beneficial laws. The working group must submit a report to legislators by December 2,2026 detailing their findings and recommendations, including any suggested legislation. 

See how your Representative and Senator voted on LD 395.

LD 785: An Act to Amend Certain Tax Laws Regarding the Wabanaki Nations

Sponsor: Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross
Status: Passed in both chambers and signed by the governor.
More info: LD 785 bill brief 
House and Senate: A yes vote on the scorecard was in support of the legislation. The bill passed in the Senate 22-11 and in the House 83-64.

LD 785, originally titled “An Act to Enact the Remaining Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act,” would have restored tribal self-government to all federally-recognized tribes in Maine. However, it was amended considerably in committee. The final legislation extends to the Mi’kmaq Nation the option to elect a representative to the State House, an option already available to the other three Wabanaki Nations. Tribal representatives sit and vote on legislative committees, can sponsor legislation, and speak on the House floor, but, because of constitutional hurdles, are not allowed to vote on the floor of the House. The amended legislation also extends state tax exemptions to Wabanaki citizens who work for a Wabanaki tribal government regardless of where they live. To incentivize affordable housing, the legislation exempts Wabanaki Nations from Maine sales tax on new manufactured housing that resides on Indian territory or trust lands.

See how your Representative and Senator voted on LD 785.

LD 870: An Act Regarding the Membership of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission

Sponsor: Rep. William Bill Bridgeo
Status: Passed in both chambers and signed by the governor.
More info: LD 870 bill brief 
House and Senate: A yes vote on the scorecard was in support of the legislation. The bill passed in the House 75-69 and in the Senate 20-14.

LD 870 increases the membership of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission from 9 to 11, both appointed by the governor and one of whom must be a Wabanaki citizen selected by the leaders of the Wabanaki Nations, giving tribal nations a voice at the table.

See how your Representative and Senator voted on LD 870.

LD 1054: An Act to Amend Certain Definitions in the Laws Governing Conservation Easements

Sponsor: Rep. James Dill
More info: LD 1054 bill brief 
Status: Passed by both chambers and signed into law by the governor.
House and Senate: A yes vote on the scorecard was in support of the legislation. There was no roll call in either the House or Senate, effectively meaning all legislators voted for the legislation.

LD 1054 changes language in current laws governing property and the conveyance of real estate so that tribal nations can provide and be given easements more easily and on par with other entities. The bill expands the definition of “conservation easement” to include easements that preserve the historical, architectural, archaeological, or cultural aspects of a property and expands the definition of “holder” in the Conservation Easement Act to include federally recognized Indian tribes.

See how your Representative and Senator voted on LD 1054.

LD 1474: An Act to Strengthen the Teaching of Wabanaki Studies in Maine Schools

Sponsor: Rep. Laurie Osher
More Info: LD 1474 bill brief
Status: Passed in both chambers and ultimately included in the supplemental budget and signed by the governor.
House and Senate: A yes vote in the House was in support of the tribal nations’ position. The bill passed the House 75-72. There was no roll call in the Senate, effectively meaning all Senators voted for the legislation.

LD 1474 was a long time coming. Wabanaki studies legislation was first passed in Maine on June 15, 2001. The original legislation was sponsored by then Penobscot Nation Representative and now Wabanaki Alliance Vice President, Donna Loring. That bill required all public and private K-12 schools in Maine to teach students about Wabanaki territories, histories, economic and political systems, and cultures. But without a specific position at the Department of Education, making sure school districts were adopting a Wabanaki curriculum, few school districts were teaching Wabanaki studies.  LD 1474 requires ongoing funding for the Wabanaki Studies Specialist and for contracted Wabanaki advisors to advance the implementation of Wabanaki studies across the state. LD 1474 also directs the state Board of Education to require completion of a Wabanaki studies component within teacher certification requirements and ensures funding is available to hire Wabanaki advisors and educators who would help the Wabanaki studies specialist create short-term courses that would be available to all Maine teachers.   

See how your Representative and Senator voted on LD 1474.