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MaineLD 395132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)Senate

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

Sponsored By: Rachel Talbot Ross (Democratic)

Became Law

NATIVE AMERICANSNATIVE AMERICANS - WABANAKI PEOPLE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Fast start and 2026 report deadline

All appointments must be finished within 15 days after the law takes effect. Appointing authorities must notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council when appointments are complete. If most but not all appointments are made after 15 days, the chairs may ask to meet, and the Legislative Council may allow it. Because of the emergency clause, the law takes effect when approved. By December 2, 2026, the group must send findings and consensus recommendations, including any draft bills, to the Judiciary Committee, which may file legislation for the 133rd Legislature in 2027.

Wabanaki federal benefits working group formed

The law creates a working group to extend federal beneficial laws to the Wabanaki nations. It focuses on the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi'kmaq Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik and Motahkomikuk, and the Penobscot Nation. The group reviews Sections 6(h) and 16(b) of Public Law 96-420 and how to apply federal beneficial laws despite those sections. It may flag federal laws that should not apply in Maine or set a review process when a law would be clearly harmful. All recommendations need consensus: consent of the affected tribal representatives and a majority of the legislative members.

Who serves and how the group meets

The group includes two Senators and two House members, one from each of the two largest parties. Leaders invite the Chiefs or designees of the four tribes as voting members. The Governor, Attorney General, and the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission Managing Director join as nonvoting ex officio members. The first-named Senate member is the Senate chair, and the first-named House member is the House chair. A quorum needs at least three tribal representatives and at least three legislators. The Legislative Council provides staff support, but not while the Legislature is in regular or special session.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rachel Talbot Ross

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Aaron Dana

    T • House

  • Adam Lee

    Democratic • House

  • Amy Kuhn

    Democratic • House

  • Anne M. Carney

    Democratic • Senate

  • Billy Bob Faulkingham

    Republican • House

  • Joseph Martin

    Republican • Senate

  • Marianne Moore

    Republican • Senate

  • Matt A. Harrington

    Republican • Senate

  • Richard A. Bennett

    Independent • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 91 • No: 54

House vote • 4/13/2026

Final Passage - Emer

Yes: 91 • No: 54

Actions Timeline

  1. RESLV Chapter 165

    5/1/2026

  2. FINALLY PASSED, in concurrence.

    4/14/2026Senate

  3. FINALLY PASSED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/14/2026House

  4. The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-693) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-714) thereto.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/14/2026House

  5. On motion by Senator DUSON of Cumberland taken from the Special Study Table On motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-693) in concurrence. On further motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby Committee Amendment "A" (S-693) was ADOPTED. On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-714) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-693) READ and ADOPTED Committee Amendment "A" (S-693) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-714) thereto ADOPTED in NON-CONCURRENCE. PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-693) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-714) thereto in NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence.

    4/14/2026Senate

  6. On motion by Senator DUSON of Cumberland placed on the SPECIAL STUDY TABLE pending FINAL PASSAGE - 2/3 Elected Required, in NON-CONCURRENCE.

    4/13/2026Senate

  7. This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.FAILED FINAL PASSAGE.ROLL CALL NO. 814(Yeas 91 - Nays 54 - Absent 5 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/13/2026House

  8. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-693).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/13/2026House

  9. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-693) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-693).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    4/13/2026Senate

  10. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.

    6/25/2025Senate

  11. 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

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

    2/4/2025House

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

    2/4/2025Senate

Bill Text

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