WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

LD 227

An Act Regarding Liability For Acts Of Violence Occurring In The State House Or Legislative Space In The Burton M. Cross Building

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Joseph Underwood

The bill would define and address liability for acts of violence in the State House and Burton M. Cross Building, outlining who may be liable and under what circumstances.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#legislativespace #liability #torts
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 227

Summary of LD 227: An Act Regarding Liability For Acts Of Violence Occurring In The State House Or Legislative Space In The Burton M. Cross Building

Overview

LD 227 is a bill introduced in the Maine Legislature (January 21, 2025) titled to address liability for acts of violence occurring within the State House or the legislative space located in the Burton M. Cross Building. The bill was considered by the Judiciary Committee but did not advance and is currently listed as Dead.

Purpose and Scope

  • Title indicates the bill would establish or clarify liability rules for acts of violence occurring in the State House or the legislative space in the Burton M. Cross Building.
  • Specific provisions, definitions, standards of liability, defenses, or remedies are not provided in the summary available here. The exact language would determine who could sue, who could be held liable, and under what circumstances.
  • The bill falls under the subject areas of legislative space, liability, and torts.

Key Provisions

  • Not specified in the provided material. The summary notes the bill’s intent generically (liability for acts of violence in a designated legislative space), but exact statutory changes (definitions of “acts of violence,” parties with liability, caps on damages, immunities, procedural requirements, or remedies) are not included here.
  • Readers seeking the substantive text should review the bill as introduced and any subsequent amendments.

Affected Parties and Entities

  • Potentially affected: the State (and its agencies), legislators, legislative employees, contractors, and visitors to the State House and Burton M. Cross Building, to the extent acts of violence within the legislative space tie to liability claims.
  • Without the full text, the distribution of liability, defenses, and protections remains unspecified.

Legislative History and Status

  • Introduced: January 21, 2025.
  • Committee: Judiciary (referred January 21, 2025).
  • Timeline of actions:
    • January 21, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Judiciary; sent for concurrence and printed.
    • February 26, 2025: Voted ONTP (Ought Not To Pass).
    • February 26, 2025: Work Session Held.
    • March 5, 2025: Reported Out - ONTP.
    • March 11, 2025: Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD).
  • Status: Dead under Joint Rule 310.3; no further motion anticipated unless reintroduced.

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Given its dead status, the bill currently has no immediate practical effect.
  • If reintroduced, the bill could prompt debate on state liability for violence in the legislative space, potential protections for state employees, immunities for lawmakers, and alignment with existing tort and government-liability frameworks.
  • Any future reintroduction would likely require clarifying language on definitions, scope (which spaces are included), remedies, and procedural processes.

Next Steps for Interested Readers

  • Review the bill’s full text and any fiscal notes or impact statements if/when reintroduced.
  • Monitor future Judiciary Committee actions or legislative filings for amendments or reintroduction.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.