Legislature Finally Adjourns Sine Die
On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the Maine Legislature finally concluded the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature, culminating in adjournment sine die.
The Legislature had returned to Augusta on Wednesday of this week to primarily address two gubernatorial vetoes and a limited number of pending matters left unresolved earlier in the session. To override a veto requires a vote of 2/3 of those present. The process for voting on the vetoes begins in whatever body of the Legislature the sponsor of the bill at issue is in.
First, the Senate failed to override the veto of LD 1911, An Act to Automatically Seal Criminal Record Information for Certain Crimes, sponsored by Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Cumberland), by a vote of 20-11, thereby sustaining the veto.
Second, the House failed to override the veto of LD 307, An Act to Establish the Maine Data Center Coordination Council and Place a Temporary Limitation on Certain Data Centers, sponsored by Rep. Melanie Sachs (D-Freeport), by a vote of 72-65, thereby sustaining the veto. As we noted in our last legislative update, in her veto, the Governor had objected to the data center moratorium failing to allow for the development of a data center project at the former mill site in the Town of Jay. As a follow up to her veto, the Governor established the Maine Data Center Advisory Council through Executive Order.
The other significant issue addressed by the Legislature on the final day was LD 127, An Act to Strengthen Legislative Oversight of Government Agencies and Programs by Reaffirming the Legislature’s Access to Confidential Records. See our April 23rd Legislative Update for a detailed description of this bill. Both bodies of the Legislature approved this bill in initial votes, but Democratic legislative leadership and the Governor were not in support. When the Senate adjourned for the year late afternoon, House supporters had no vehicle left to advance the legislation when the body returned to conclude its work later that evening. Therefore the bill died upon adjournment.
Under the Maine Constitution, non-emergency laws enacted during this session will take effect on July 29, 2026, unless otherwise specified. Any legislation not enacted prior to adjournment is considered dead unless reintroduced in a future session.
Finally, early Thursday morning, the Governor suspended her candidacy for the U.S. Senate, providing the following statement:
Over the past six months, I have had the privilege of campaigning across Maine and doing what I love most: meeting with Maine people. I am grateful beyond words for the opportunity of love and support I have received from folks in every corner of the state, from Madawaska to Kittery, from Rangeley to Eastport.
As a District Attorney, Attorney General and, now, as Governor, I have always fought for Maine people. Together, we’ve expanded health care, fully funded education, guaranteed free community college and free school meals, protected reproductive freedom, and made our state more resilient to the pollution and violent storms caused by climate change. Yet, these efforts have been undermined by a Republican administration that is blind to science, deaf to the cries of those in need of medical care, and ignorant of the needs of regular families.
When I decided to run for the United States Senate last year, it was because I believe Maine people were getting a bad deal from Washington, and because the President of the United States was threatening our democracy and pushing our nation to the brink of disaster. I continue to believe that today.
While I have the drive in passion, commitment and experience, and above all else – the fight – to continue on, I very simply do not have the one thing that political campaigns unfortunately required today: the financial resources. That is why today I have made the incredibly difficult decision to suspend my campaign for the United States Senate.
I step back from campaigning with unending love, admiration, and hope for Maine people – a people whose hearts are filled with love and whose integrity and humility is surpassed only by their kindness, generosity, and compassion.
To the people of Maine: I love you, and I will continue to fight relentlessly for you as your Governor. For the next eight months, I will continue working hard for you, standing up for what is right, defending the Constitution and doing what I can to preserve our democracy.
And as always, while I am spending active campaigning, I look forward to seeing you at a Reny’s, at a Hearts of Pine game, or maybe even on a trout pond in western Maine.
Thank you for always being my North Star and for the privilege of serving you as Governor of the great state of Maine – it’s the honor of my life.
We have enjoyed representing you this session. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns regarding this session, the now full-blown campaign season, next session, or any other legal or policy matter.