STATE HOUSE – In a stunning move that undermines both the Maine Constitution and state statute, Democratic chairs of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee—Senator Anne Carney and Representative Amy Kuhn—have refused to hold a public hearing on a citizen-initiated “red flag” gun control proposal.
Maine law requires that citizen initiatives receive a public hearing unless that requirement is waived by a two-thirds vote of both chambers. No such vote occurred. Yet Judiciary Committee chairs are moving forward anyway, ignoring clear legal precedent and silencing public input.
In 2023, all qualifying citizen initiatives received public hearings—even during special session. There is no legal or procedural excuse for bypassing the public now.
“This sends a dangerous message: that some lawmakers believe they are above the law,” said Republican members of the Judiciary Committee in a joint statement. “Public input is not optional. It’s the foundation of democracy.”
The public has a right to be heard
Mainers who support government transparency and accountability are encouraged to contact their legislators and demand a proper public hearing.
JUDICIARY REPUBLICANS
Senator David Haggan (R-Penobscot)
Representative Jennifer Poirier (R-Skowhegan)
Representative Rachel Henderson (R-Rumford)
Representative Elizabeth Caruso (R-Caratunk)
STATE LAW:
Title 21-A: ELECTIONS, Chapter 11: BALLOT QUESTIONS
§907. Public hearing on direct initiatives
A petition for direct initiative of legislation under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18 that is determined valid by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 905, subsection 1 and is submitted to the Legislature in accordance with the procedure established in the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18, Subsection 1 must be afforded a public hearing conducted by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the petition or by a special legislative committee established for that purpose by the Legislative Council. The public hearing must be conducted in the same manner as other public hearings. The requirement to hold a public hearing may be waived by a vote of 2/3 of the members present in each House of the Legislature. [PL 2019, c. 152, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2019, c. 152, §1 (NEW).
Judiciary Committee Democrats Violate Maine Law, Deny Public Hearing on Gun Initiative
STATE HOUSE – In a stunning move that undermines both the Maine Constitution and state statute, Democratic chairs of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee—Senator Anne Carney and Representative Amy Kuhn—have refused to hold a public hearing on a citizen-initiated “red flag” gun control proposal.
Maine law requires that citizen initiatives receive a public hearing unless that requirement is waived by a two-thirds vote of both chambers. No such vote occurred. Yet Judiciary Committee chairs are moving forward anyway, ignoring clear legal precedent and silencing public input.
In 2023, all qualifying citizen initiatives received public hearings—even during special session. There is no legal or procedural excuse for bypassing the public now.
“This sends a dangerous message: that some lawmakers believe they are above the law,” said Republican members of the Judiciary Committee in a joint statement. “Public input is not optional. It’s the foundation of democracy.”
The public has a right to be heard
Mainers who support government transparency and accountability are encouraged to contact their legislators and demand a proper public hearing.
JUDICIARY REPUBLICANS
Senator David Haggan (R-Penobscot)
Representative Jennifer Poirier (R-Skowhegan)
Representative Rachel Henderson (R-Rumford)
Representative Elizabeth Caruso (R-Caratunk)
STATE LAW:
Title 21-A: ELECTIONS, Chapter 11: BALLOT QUESTIONS
§907. Public hearing on direct initiatives
A petition for direct initiative of legislation under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18 that is determined valid by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 905, subsection 1 and is submitted to the Legislature in accordance with the procedure established in the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18, Subsection 1 must be afforded a public hearing conducted by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the petition or by a special legislative committee established for that purpose by the Legislative Council. The public hearing must be conducted in the same manner as other public hearings. The requirement to hold a public hearing may be waived by a vote of 2/3 of the members present in each House of the Legislature. [PL 2019, c. 152, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2019, c. 152, §1 (NEW).
Judiciary Committee Democrats Violate Maine Law, Deny Public Hearing on Gun Initiative
STATE HOUSE – In a stunning move that undermines both the Maine Constitution and state statute, Democratic chairs of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee—Senator Anne Carney and Representative Amy Kuhn—have refused to hold a public hearing on a citizen-initiated “red flag” gun control proposal.
Maine law requires that citizen initiatives receive a public hearing unless that requirement is waived by a two-thirds vote of both chambers. No such vote occurred. Yet Judiciary Committee chairs are moving forward anyway, ignoring clear legal precedent and silencing public input.
In 2023, all qualifying citizen initiatives received public hearings—even during special session. There is no legal or procedural excuse for bypassing the public now.
“This sends a dangerous message: that some lawmakers believe they are above the law,” said Republican members of the Judiciary Committee in a joint statement. “Public input is not optional. It’s the foundation of democracy.”
The public has a right to be heard
Mainers who support government transparency and accountability are encouraged to contact their legislators and demand a proper public hearing.
JUDICIARY REPUBLICANS
Senator David Haggan (R-Penobscot)
Representative Jennifer Poirier (R-Skowhegan)
Representative Rachel Henderson (R-Rumford)
Representative Elizabeth Caruso (R-Caratunk)
STATE LAW:
Title 21-A: ELECTIONS, Chapter 11: BALLOT QUESTIONS
§907. Public hearing on direct initiatives
A petition for direct initiative of legislation under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18 that is determined valid by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 905, subsection 1 and is submitted to the Legislature in accordance with the procedure established in the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18, Subsection 1 must be afforded a public hearing conducted by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the petition or by a special legislative committee established for that purpose by the Legislative Council. The public hearing must be conducted in the same manner as other public hearings. The requirement to hold a public hearing may be waived by a vote of 2/3 of the members present in each House of the Legislature. [PL 2019, c. 152, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2019, c. 152, §1 (NEW).
