Under the Dome Special Edition: Legislature's Cloture Deadline This Friday
Under the Dome: Inside the Maine State House is a regular update that provides a high-level overview of recent activity at the Maine State House.
Deadline for Submitting Legislation for Next Maine Legislative Session is This Friday
Although January may seem like a long way off, the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature is fast approaching. In preparation for next year’s Session, proposed legislation for next year must be filed with the Office of the Revisor of Statutes by 4:00 PM this Friday, September 27th. To meet the requirements of this deadline, which is known as “cloture,” a legislator must agree to sponsor the proposed legislation and sufficient information to enable the staff in the Revisor's Office to draft the proposal must be submitted to the Revisor of Statutes.
This is a crucial time for the submission of proposed legislation in order for it to be considered during the next Session, which is the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature. The Second Regular Session is often referred to as the "short session," which is slated to begin in January and could adjourn as early as mid-April. In a short session, other than Governor’s bills, newly submitted legislation must be approved by at least six of the ten members of legislative leadership before it may be formally introduced. Legislative leaders often seek to limit the number of bills submitted in a short session. While it is possible to seek approval of legislative leaders for the introduction of legislation submitted after cloture, it is preferable not to be in such a position.