Direct Democracy Debated in Maine

Augusta, MAINE -- There will be public hearings today at the Statehouse on three bills that could affect democratic procedures in Maine. The hearings for each of these bills will be held at 1:00 by the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee, Room 437 at the Statehouse.

Here are the three bills:

An Act To Prevent Predatory Signature Gathering and Ensure a Clean Citizen Initiative and People's Veto Process

This bill requires the Secretary of State to make electronic lists of certified signatures from petitions for direct initiatives of legislation and people's veto referenda beginning December 2010. The bill also extends the time period that a person has to examine petitions when challenging the decision of the Secretary of State from 5 to 10 days. The bill authorizes the Secretary of State to reject certification of signatures on a petition for a direct initiative of legislation or a people's veto if the person who signed the petition submits a written request to the direct initiative or people's veto applicant 15 days prior to the date when the petitions are due to the municipal clerk for verification. This bill also requires registration of organizations that receive compensation to collect or support the collection of signatures on petitions for a direct initiative of legislation or people's veto referendum. Finally, this bill makes a technical clarification to the campaign finance and disclosure laws regarding ballot question committees.

RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Amend the Requirements Governing Direct Initiatives

This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to require that the text of a direct initiative of legislation identify the amount and source of revenue required to implement the initiative and, if applicable, identify the program or programs whose funding must be reduced or eliminated to implement the initiative. This resolution also directs the Office of Fiscal and Program Review to provide reasonable assistance to the proponent of the direct initiative.

An Act To Strengthen the Ballot Initiative Process

This bill repeals the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 21-A, section 904 and enacts a new section 904-C to conform with technical drafting standards. It requires that the penalties for violating this section include a mandatory $1,000 fine that may not be suspended. It also prohibits a person who has been convicted of fraud or forgery in the last 5 years from circulating a petition. The bill requires that a person or entity receiving compensation for collecting signatures on a petition or a person or entity compensating another person for collecting signatures on a petition shall register with the Secretary of State. Failing to register is a Class E crime that includes a mandatory fine of $1,000 for an individual and $10,000 for a company. Funds generated by the fines for failing to register must be paid to the Maine Clean Election Fund.