An Act To Designate The Second Congressional District "Acadia"

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Donald Ardell and 1 co-sponsor

LD 1214 would rename Maine's 2nd Congressional District to 'Acadia' as a symbolic designation, with no cost or boundary changes; the bill died in 2025.

Placed in the Legislative Files. (DEAD)

#2ndcongressional #districts #federalgovernment

Summary: LD 1214 – An Act To Designate The Second Congressional District "Acadia"

Overview

LD 1214 is a Maine bill introduced in the 132nd Legislature (March 20, 2025) that would designate the Second Congressional District as "Acadia." The bill is currently listed as DEAD, having been placed in the Legislative Files after the legislative process in 2025. A fiscal note accompanying the bill indicates no fiscal impact.

Purpose and Intent

The core purpose of the bill is to designate the Second Congressional District with the name or designation "Acadia." This appears to be a formal naming designation rather than a change to district boundaries or representation.

The legislation, as introduced, does not appear to alter electoral processes or the number of representatives; rather, it provides an official name for the district within state statutes and/or official documents.

Key Provisions (as described by available information)

Designation: The Second Congressional District would be designated as "Acadia."

Scope and effects: The specific text is not provided, but typical designations of this type serve as a formal naming convention used in statutes, official communications, maps, and related government references. No information is provided indicating changes to boundaries, voting procedures, or district-based programs.

Fiscal impact: The Fiscal Note indicates no fiscal impact, suggesting no new costs or funding changes attributed to the designation.

Affected Parties and Implications

Governmental Entities: State agencies and legislative bodies that reference or refer to the Second Congressional District in statute or official materials.

Public and Stakeholders: Residents and stakeholders in Maine’s Second Congressional District who would see the district referenced by the name "Acadia" in official documents.

Representation: The designation does not appear to modify the current structure of representation (i.e., the district’s representative in Congress) or electoral rules.

Procedural and Timeline Details

Introduced: March 20, 2025.

Committee: Referred to the Committee on State and Local Government.

Key Actions:

03/20/2025: Referred to State and Local Government.
04/30/2025: Work session held; reported as ONTP/OTP-AM (mixed or amended outcomes) with a Divided Report.
05/27–05/28/2025: Reports read; Majority Ought Not to Pass reports accepted; in concurrence, sent forthwith.
05/28/2025: Placed in the Legislative Files (DEAD).

Fiscal Note: Approved 05/05/25; states “No fiscal impact.”

Current Status: DEAD; placed in Legislative Files, unable to progress to enactment.

Why this Bill Was Not Enacted

Based on the legislative record, the bill received opposition in committee and at the floor level (Majority Ought Not to Pass). The final procedural step placed it in the Legislative Files with no further action to advance to enactment.

Takeaway

LD 1214 sought a symbolic renaming of Maine’s Second Congressional District to “Acadia.” The measure did not advance and is currently inactive, with no anticipated fiscal burden according to the accompanying fiscal note.