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MaineLD 259132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)Senate

An Act to Establish the Criminal Records Review Commission in Statute

Sponsored By: Rachel Talbot Ross (Democratic)

Became Law

CRIMINAL HISTORIESCRIMINAL HISTORIES - CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New commission reviews criminal records

Beginning January 1, 2026, the law creates the Criminal Records Review Commission. It reviews how Maine collects, keeps, shares, seals, and vacates criminal history records. The commission sends findings and recommendations to the Legislature every year and can propose law changes each regular session. It can also recommend actions to Public Safety and the courts and may consult outside experts.

Who serves on the records commission

Starting January 1, 2026, the commission includes two senators and two House members from the two largest parties. It also includes top state officials and representatives from prosecutors and defense, civil rights and victim groups, law enforcement, the press, and more; the Chief Justice may add a judicial member. The first-named Senate and House members serve as chairs. Lawmakers serve only their elected terms; others serve two-year terms and can be reappointed. Vacancies are filled by the original appointing authority, and a quorum is 15 members.

Funding and outside money for commission

The commission may seek outside funding to cover its costs, including staff, but the Legislative Council must approve any such money. The law also provides small General Fund amounts for legislators serving on the commission: $1,400 in FY 2025-26 ($440 personal services, $960 other) and $2,800 in FY 2026-27 ($880 personal services, $1,920 other). These funding rules take effect January 1, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rachel Talbot Ross

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Donna Bailey

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mana Abdi

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 97 • No: 83

House vote • 6/10/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 78 • No: 68

Senate vote • 6/9/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 19 • No: 15

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 526

    5/1/2026

  2. HELD BY THE GOVERNOR.

    7/8/2025Senate

  3. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

  4. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence

    6/11/2025Senate

  5. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

  6. Reports READ.On motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 402(Yeas 78 - Nays 68 - Absent 3 - Excused 2)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-326) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-326). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

  7. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 420 Yeas 19 - Nays 15 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (S-326) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-326) Sent down for concurrence

    6/9/2025Senate

  8. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025Senate

  9. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/28/2025House

  10. Committee on JUDICIARY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on JUDICIARY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    1/28/2025Senate

Bill Text

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