MaineCommittees could request demographic data about bills from agencies
If committees request agency demographic data about bills, nonpartisan staff would analyze it and report the requests and bill outcomes to committees.
What it does
When a legislative committee requests it, nonpartisan staff would gather and analyze state agency data about race and other demographics related to legislation the committee is considering.
At the end of each legislative session, staff would report which bills drew data requests and what happened to them, then share the report with committees at the next regular session.
The amendment would fund one temporary analyst position to support the data work, with half-time staffing during sessions; the position would end June 19, 2027.
Argument forCommittees could use agency data to examine bills, and session reports may help lawmakers see which bills drew requests and what happened to them.
Argument againstBecause staff would gather data only when committees ask, some bills may receive no demographic review, while the analyst position could use public funds.
More detail
Nonpartisan legislative staff would collect, assemble, and analyze demographic data from state agencies when a legislative committee requests it. The data covers race and other demographic information held by state agencies. A joint standing or joint select committee must request the data. The data must relate to legislation under consideration by that committee.
Nonpartisan legislative staff would compile the analyses into one report and distribute it to legislative committees. The report covers requests from joint standing or joint select committees. The report must list the number of requests, each legislative document for which data was requested, and the outcome for each document. Staff would compile the report at the end of each regular or special session and distribute it at the subsequent regular session.
The amendment would fund one limited-period Legislative Analyst position in the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis to support the data work. The analyst would support work with state agency demographic data related to legislation. The position would include half-time work during legislative sessions. The position would end on June 19, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Became Law
- Died
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 29Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)Died
- Mar 18On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence.
- Mar 17Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Mar 17PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Became Law
- Mar 12In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Mar 12The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-502).Minor
- Mar 12Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.
- Mar 12Committee Amendment "A" (S-502) was READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- Mar 12The Bill was READ ONCE.Minor
- Mar 12On motion of Representative SALISBURY of Westbrook, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
- Mar 12Reports READ.
- Mar 10Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.
- Mar 10READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-502)Minor
- Mar 10COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.
- Mar 5ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
- Mar 5Committee Amendment "A" (S-502) READ and ADOPTEDMinor
- Mar 5Bill READ ONCEMinor
- Mar 5On motion by Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED.
- Mar 5Taken from the table by the President
- Feb 24On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ACCEPTANCE OF EITHER REPORT.
- Feb 24Report READ
- Feb 13Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP
- Jan 28Voted - Divided Report
- Jan 28Work Session Held
- 2025
- Jun 25Carry Over Approved
- Jun 25CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
- May 23Carry Over Requested
- Mar 21CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
- Feb 19Received by the Secretary of the Senate on February 19, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2Introduced
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