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LD 986

An Act To Eliminate The Crime Of Felony Murder

132nd Legislature (2025-2026)

LD 986 would abolish felony murder in Maine, changing how deaths during felonies are charged; expects minor fiscal effects and the bill ultimately died in the session.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#crimes #felonymurder #homicide
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Bill Summary · LD 986

Summary of LD 986 — An Act To Eliminate The Crime Of Felony Murder

Status: Dead (Placed in Legislative Files pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3)

Bill number: LD 986
Introduced: March 11, 2025
Committee: Judiciary
Sponsor: Sen. Beebe-Center of Knox
Subject: Crimes, Felony Murder, Homicide

Purpose and Intent

LD 986 seeks to eliminate the crime of felony murder. The bill would remove felony murder as a distinct offense in Maine law. The materials provided do not specify the exact replacement framework, but the stated aim is to abolish felony murder as a standalone charge.

Key Provisions and Changes (as stated)

  • Repeal/elimination of the crime of felony murder. The bill’s scope and any alternative homicide charging structure are not detailed in the materials provided.
  • The bill would affect how cases in which a death occurs during the commission of a felony are charged, shifting away from a separate “felony murder” offense. (Details on what statutes would be used instead are not included in the provided summary.)

Note: Specific statutory language, definitions, or transitional provisions are not included in the provided documents.

Fiscal Impact

  • Preliminary Fiscal Notes indicate minor impact:
    • Minor savings to the General Fund.
    • Minor revenue decreases to the General Fund and other Special Revenue Funds (from reductions in fines and related collections).
  • Correctional and judicial implications are described as minor:
    • Potential minor reductions in workload due to fewer felony cases filed.
    • Small decreases in revenue from fines attributed to felony murder prosecutions.

Why It Would Affect Who/What

  • Defendants: Individuals charged with felony murder would be subject to different charges under Maine law, since felony murder would no longer exist as a distinct offense.
  • Prosecutors and courts: Minor changes in case handling and charging decisions; fewer felony murder prosecutions.
  • State and local finances: Slight shifts in revenue (fines) and costs associated with adjudicating fewer felony murder cases.
  • Corrections: Possible minor impact due to changes in the number of felony murder cases proceeding to incarceration.

Procedural History and Timeline

  • 2025-03-11: Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
  • 2025-03-11: In concurrence; ordered sent forthwith.
  • 2025-03-21: Carried over to the next session under Joint Order SP 519.
  • 2025-03-24: Work Session held; Voted ONTP (none to pass) in committee.
  • 2025-03-27: Reported OUT ONTP.
  • 2025-04-01: Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3, placed in Legislative Files (DEAD).

Bottom Line

LD 986, currently dead for the session, aimed to abolish felony murder in Maine. The fiscal note anticipates only minor, mostly administrative, fiscal effects. The bill’s elimination of felony murder would require subsequent statutory changes to address how homicide-by-felony scenarios are charged, but those specifics are not contained in the provided materials.

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

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