On Monday, June 20, Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, issued vetoes on three bills concerning tribal land rights, recovery housing, and ferry service governance.
The vetoes will face legislative review on Wednesday or a future “veto day,” requiring a two-thirds vote of members present and voting in both chambers to override. Vote tallies and absences from earlier enactments will play a key role in the outcomes.
EMINENT DOMAIN ON TRIBAL LANDS
LD 958, “An Act to Prohibit Eminent Domain on Existing Tribal Trust Lands,” sponsored by House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) would amend the Maine Implementing Act and Mi’kmaq Nation Restoration Act to permanently limit the state’s use of eminent domain on tribal and trust lands, pending tribal ratification.
The Judiciary Committee heavily amended the bill before it passed the House 89-55, with two Democrats and five Republicans absent. The Senate approved it 20-12, with two Republicans and one Democrat absent. A veto override will require Faulkingham to secure additional support from Republicans, as the vote margins are close.
PROTECTED CLASS RECOVERY HOUSING
LD 1328, introduced by Representative Laurie Osher (D-Orono) originally titled An Act to Create Housing and Recovery Services for LGBTQIA+ Individuals, was amended and watered down by the Judiciary Committee to remove LGBTQIA+ references, retitling it An Act to Create Culturally Appropriate and Trauma-informed Housing and Recovery Services. The bill directed the Maine Housing Authority to administer the program.
In her veto letter, Mills stated the project falls outside the authority’s purview, as it is a financing agency and does not own residential properties. The House passed the bill 75-65, with three Democrats and eight Republicans absent. The Senate vote was 19-14, with two Democrats absent. Overriding this veto will be difficult due to the narrow margins.
FERRY ADVISORY BOARD AUTHORITY
LD 1731, sponsored by Senator Nicole Grohoski (D-Hancock) titled An Act to Increase the Influence of the Maine State Ferry Advisory Board on the Funding and Operations of the Maine State Ferry Service, sought to expand the board’s authority over budgetary, operational, and strategic decisions. Mills vetoed the bill, citing in her letter that it could complicate management of the critical ferry service. The Transportation Committee’s majority report recommended against passage, but the House ultimately passed the minority “ought to pass” report without objection. The Senate passed the bill 19-18, with one Republican and one Democrat absent. The veto is likely to be sustained given the close Senate vote and Republican absences in the House.
These three vetoes, along with two others issued earlier, will be voted by the legislature in the near future. Mills’ vetoes show a tendency to prioritize maintaining institutional norms. The outcomes will largely hinge on attendance and bipartisan support, particularly for LD 958, which has the closest vote margins for a potential veto override. The Legislature has not finalized the date for “veto day,” but preparations are underway, with votes coming as soon as tomorrow.
