It's Monday, March 11.

Say goodbye to winter. Spring — and mud season — are upon us. We also have about one month until the Legislature adjourns, and that's if legislators can sift through the mountain of legislation and adjourn on time. It's expected that the Legislature will conclude on April 17, and then it'll be time to prepare for the June election. 

Last week was one of the busiest weeks in the entire legislative session — and that includes the hectic months during 2023. Some of our staff and interns were at the State House in Augusta almost every day, keeping track of the gun safety bills and the National Popular Vote. Things are not slowing down, so here are updates on the major pieces of legislation that we're following.
 

Tuesday, March 12:

• 🚨LD 1578 🚨— National Popular Vote (NPV): NPV passed its first vote in the Maine House but was tabled in the Senate for a few days. The Senate may take up its vote as soon as Tuesday, March 12. This could be the big moment for NPV. It's not too late to contact your Senator and ask them to support LD 1578!
• LD 2007 — Tribal Sovereignty: The League stands with Wabanaki communities and their claim to tribal sovereignty. The work session on this landmark bill is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, in the Judiciary committee.

Wednesday, March 13: All major gun safety bills have their work sessions scheduled on this day. 

• LD 2086 — Banning bump stocks: This bill's amendment bans the sale of bump stocks and other devices that increase the rate of fire of semi-automatic guns to the rate of fire of machine guns. The bill does not include banning assault weapons. Its work session is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, in the Judiciary Committee.
• LD 2237 — Strengthening public safety: Expanding resources for those experiencing a mental health crisis and establishing an Office of Violence Prevention to promote effective means to reduce gun violence. The work session on this bill is also scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, in the Health & Human Services Committee.
• LD 2224 — Governor's gun reform bill: This bill is the top priority. It includes an expansion of background checks for gun sales, strengthens Maine's yellow-flag laws, and establishes an Injury and Violence Prevention Program at the Maine CDC. The work session is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, in the Judiciary Committee.
• LD 2238 — 72 waiting period: Those who purchase a new firearm have to wait 72 hours before they can receive it. The work session is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, in the Judiciary Committee.

Meet some of our interns! Lianna, Emelia, Kylie, Isabella, and Gianna (not pictured) serve as interns within our Youth Council. We support these students in exploring the ways they can make an impact in their communities as active citizens. They learn about how laws are passed in Maine and what it means to be civically engaged. They're especially passionate about passing gun safety reform, and we are lucky to have them as part of the team.