Resolve, To Implement Security Screenings in the State House and Capitol Area Offices (AFTER DEADLINE)
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1671
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: GRAMLICH, DOUDERA, MEYER, SACHS, TALBOT ROSS, DAUGHTRY, MOORE

Legislative Document
No. 1671
H.P. 1242
House of Representatives, May 5, 2021
Resolve, To Implement Security Screenings in the State House and 
Capitol Area Offices
(AFTER DEADLINE)
(EMERGENCY)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205.
Received by the Clerk of the House on May 3, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on State 
and Local Government pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 
401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative GRAMLICH of Old Orchard Beach.
Cosponsored by Representatives: DOUDERA of Camden, MEYER of Eliot, SACHS of 
Freeport, TALBOT ROSS of Portland, Senators: DAUGHTRY of Cumberland, MOORE of 
Washington.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the levels of political polarization and extremism are rising within the State 
and across the United States; and
Whereas, the rise of political polarization and extremism has been linked to several 
major security incidents involving government offices, including those at the United States 
Capitol and Michigan State House; and
Whereas, the protection of state employees, including Legislators, legislative 
employees and state agency employees, is essential to the proper functioning of 
government; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it
Sec. 1.  Implementing security screenings in capitol area offices.  Resolved: 
That the Commissioner of Public Safety shall implement security screening procedures 
within the Burton M. Cross Building that:
1.  Limit the number of entrances to the Burton M. Cross Building available for public 
entry and restrict access to all other entrances;
2.  Require the Chief of the Bureau of Capitol Police to assign Capitol Police officers 
to conduct security screenings and operate stationary magnetometers and package 
screening devices at public entrances to the Burton M. Cross Building;
3.  Require all individuals entering the Burton M. Cross Building to undergo a security 
screening, including to pass through a stationary magnetometer, to allow any packages or 
personal belongings to be passed through a package screening device and to submit to 
additional or alternative security screening processes as the Chief of the Capitol Police may 
determine appropriate;
4.  Require Capitol Police officers conducting security screenings in the Burton M. 
Cross Building to refuse entry to any individual who refuses to undergo a security 
screening;
5.  Require Capitol Police officers conducting security screenings in the Burton M. 
Cross Building to prioritize the security screening of a Legislator, legislative employee or 
any other individual who presents a valid access card or credential identifying the 
individual as a state or legislative employee who works inside the Burton M. Cross 
Building; and
6.  Require Capitol Police officers conducting security screenings in the Burton M. 
Cross Building to prioritize the security screening of a lobbyist who presents 
documentation demonstrating that the lobbyist is actively registered with the Commission 
on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, 
Title 3, section 313 and has completed the training required by Title 3, section 312-B.  For 
the purposes of this subsection, "lobbyist" has the same meaning as in Title 3, section 
312-A, subsection 10.
Sec. 2.  Modifying security screening procedures in the State House.  
Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall adopt rules pursuant to the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 25, section 2904, subsection 2 requiring that:
1.  All individuals entering the State House undergo a security screening;
2.  Security screening personnel prioritize the security screening of a Legislator, 
legislative employee or any other individual who presents to security screening personnel 
a valid access card issued by the Legislature for access to the State House and other 
legislative areas; and
3.  Security screening personnel prioritize the security screening of a lobbyist who 
presents to security screening personnel documentation demonstrating that the lobbyist is 
actively registered with the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices 
pursuant to Title 3, section 313 and has completed the training required by Title 3, section 
312-B.  For the purposes of this subsection, "lobbyist" has the same meaning as in Title 3, 
section 312-A, subsection 10.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Commissioner of Public Safety to implement certain security 
screening procedures for individuals entering the Burton M. Cross Building within the 
capitol area, including limiting the number of public entrances, requiring individuals 
entering the building to undergo a security screening and prioritizing security screenings 
for certain individuals.  The resolve also directs the Legislative Council to adopt rules to 
make certain changes to the security screening procedures for individuals entering the State 
House, including requiring all Legislators and legislative employees to undergo a security 
screening and prioritizing security screenings of certain individuals.