An Act To Limit the Influence of Lobbyists by Expanding the Prohibition on Accepting Political Contributions
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0054
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Sponsors: CHENETTE, COLLINGS, CHIPMAN, MIRAMANT
Amends: 1 MRSA §1015

Legislative Document
No. 54
S.P. 18
In Senate, January 9, 2019
An Act To Limit the Influence of Lobbyists by Expanding the 
Prohibition on Accepting Political Contributions
Reference to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator CHENETTE of York.
Cosponsored by Representative COLLINGS of Portland and
Senators: CHIPMAN of Cumberland, MIRAMANT of Knox.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  1 MRSA §1015, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2009, c. 286, §1, is further 
amended to read:
3.  Campaign contributions and solicitations prohibited.  The following 
provisions prohibit certain campaign contributions and solicitation of campaign 
contributions during a legislative session.
A.  As used in this subsection, the terms "employer," "lobbyist" and "lobbyist 
associate" have the same meanings as in Title 3, section 312-A.  As used in this 
subsection, "contribution" has the same meaning as in Title 21-A, section 1012 and 
includes seed money contributions as defined in Title 21-A, section 1122, subsection 
9.
B.  The Governor, a member of the Legislature or any constitutional officer or the 
staff or agent of the Governor, a member of the Legislature or any constitutional 
officer may not intentionally solicit or accept a contribution from a lobbyist, lobbyist 
associate or employer during any period of time in which the Legislature is convened 
before final adjournment, except for a qualifying contribution as defined under Title 
21-A, section 1122, subsection 7.  A lobbyist, lobbyist associate or employer may not 
intentionally give, offer or promise a contribution, other than a qualifying 
contribution, to the Governor, a member of the Legislature or any constitutional 
officer or the staff or agent of the Governor, a member of the Legislature or any 
constitutional officer during any time in which the Legislature is convened before 
final adjournment.  These prohibitions apply to contributions directly and indirectly 
solicited or accepted by, or given, offered and promised to a political action 
committee, ballot question committee or party committee of which the Governor, a 
member of the Legislature, a constitutional officer or the staff or agent of these 
officials is a treasurer, officer or primary fund-raiser or decision maker.
C.  This subsection does not apply to:
(1)  Solicitations or contributions for bona fide social events hosted for 
nonpartisan, charitable purposes;
(2)  Solicitations or contributions relating to a special election to fill a vacancy 
from the time of announcement of the election until the election; and
(4)  Solicitations or contributions accepted by a member of the Legislature 
supporting that member's campaign for federal office.
C-1.  This subsection does not prohibit the attendance of the Governor, a member of 
the Legislature or any constitutional officer or the staff or agent of the Governor, a 
member of the Legislature or any constitutional officer at fund-raising events held by 
a municipal, county, state or national political party organized pursuant to Title 21-A, 
chapter 5, nor the advertisement of the expected presence of any such official at any 
such event, as long as any such official has no involvement in soliciting attendance at 
the event and all proceeds are paid directly to the political party organization hosting 
the event or a nonprofit charitable organization.
D.  A person who intentionally violates this subsection is subject to a civil penalty not 
to exceed $1,000, payable to the State and recoverable in a civil action.
SUMMARY
Current law prohibits the Governor, members of the Legislature, constitutional 
officers and the staff or agents of the Governor, members of the Legislature and 
constitutional officers from soliciting or accepting contributions from a lobbyist, lobbyist 
associate or employer while the Legislature is convened in session.  This bill extends 
application of that prohibition year-round, regardless of whether the Legislature is in 
session.