Resolved: Two thirds of each branch of the
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1331
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: MORRIS

Legislative Document
No. 1331
H.P. 866
House of Representatives, March 27, 2025
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine Regarding When the Governor May Call the Legislature into 
Session
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative MORRIS of Turner.
Cosponsored by Representatives: DRINKWATER of Milford, FAULKINGHAM of Winter 
Harbor, FLYNN of Albion, GREENWOOD of Wales, LIBBY of Auburn, SMITH of Palermo, 
TUELL of East Machias, Senator: TIMBERLAKE of Androscoggin.
Constitutional amendment. Resolved: Two thirds of each branch of the 
Legislature concurring, that the following amendment to the Constitution of Maine be 
proposed:
Constitution, Art. V, Pt. First, §13 is amended to read:
Section 13. Convene the Legislature on extraordinary occasions, and 
adjourn it in case of disagreement; may change the place of meeting.  The 
Governor may, on extraordinary occasions, convene the Legislature, except that if the 
Legislature has adjourned without day, the Governor may not convene the Legislature until 
days after the Legislature adjourned without day; and in case of disagreement between 
the 2 Houses with respect to the time of adjournment, adjourn them to such time, as the 
Governor shall think proper, not beyond the day of the next regular session; and if, since 
the last adjournment, the place where the Legislature were next to convene shall have 
become dangerous from an enemy or contagious sickness, may direct the session to be held 
at some other convenient place within the State.
Constitutional referendum procedure; form of question; effective date.  
Resolved:  That the municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their 
respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding 
a statewide election, at a statewide election held in the month of November following the 
passage of this resolution, to vote upon the ratification of the amendment proposed in this 
resolution by voting upon the following question:
"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to provide that if the 
Legislature has adjourned without specifying a date to return, the Governor 
may not convene the Legislature until 90 days after the Legislature 
adjourned without specifying a date to return?"
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question 
and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within the corresponding square 
below the word "Yes" or "No."  The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and declared 
in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of State in 
the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature.  The Governor shall review the 
returns.  If it appears that a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of the amendment, 
the Governor shall proclaim that fact without delay and the amendment becomes part of 
the Constitution of Maine on the date of the proclamation.
Secretary of State shall prepare ballots.  Resolved:  That the Secretary of State 
shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of 
this resolution necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum.
SUMMARY
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to provide that if the 
Legislature has adjourned without day, the Governor may not convene the Legislature until 
days after the Legislature adjourned without day.