Which bills will be approved for 2nd session?

Maine’s Legislative Council, made up of party leaders from the House and Senate, will meet Monday to discuss nearly 300 bills that have been submitted for consideration during the Legislature’s 2nd regular session that begins in January.

Based on state statute, for a bill to move forward it needs to be budget-related or be emergency in nature. Emergency is a squishy term, though, and some bills that don’t seem emergency likely will get in.

Whatever does get through the Legislative Council will be added to the bills that were carried over from the 1st session.

This is the first time in many years that Republicans have controlled the Legislative Council, so it will be interesting to see how the process goes.

Any bills that are rejected Monday are subject to an appeal by the individual sponsor. Appeals will be heard on Nov. 17.