WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

LD 224

An Act To Expand The Definition Of "Terrorism" In The Laws Governing The Maine Emergency Management Agency

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tavis Hasenfus

The bill expands MEMA’s terrorism definition, broadening what incidents or threats trigger MEMA and related emergency planning and response duties.

Signed by Governor
#emergencies #publicsafety #terrorism
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 224

Summary — LD 224 (132nd Legislature)

An Act To Expand The Definition Of "Terrorism" In The Laws Governing the Maine Emergency Management Agency

Purpose

LD 224 expands the statutory definition of “terrorism” as used in laws governing the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). The stated intent is to broaden what conduct, incidents or threats are classified as terrorism for the purposes of emergency planning, response, coordination and related statutory provisions.

Key provisions

  • Amends the statutory definition of “terrorism” in the body of law that governs MEMA. (The legislative record indicates the bill was enacted as amended by Committee Amendment “A” (H-97); the amendment language materially changed the original bill, but the available summary materials do not provide the verbatim amended text.)
  • No separate fiscal provisions or appropriations are attached to the bill.

Who is affected

  • Maine Emergency Management Agency: MEMA’s authorities, planning, threat assessments, reporting, exercise and response decisions may be affected because incidents newly captured by the expanded definition could trigger MEMA roles or statutory duties tied to “terrorism.”
  • State and local emergency planners, first responders and law enforcement: Changes in definition can affect incident classification, interagency coordination, activation of response protocols, and potential access to state resources tied to terrorism-designated incidents.
  • Entities and individuals subject to state statutory regimes dealing with terrorism (e.g., victims, designated locations, or suspects) could see altered applicability of provisions that depend on the statutory definition.
  • Federal coordination: Broadening the definition may affect MEMA’s interaction with federal partners if incidents are reclassified under the state definition.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Fiscal impact: Multiple fiscal reviews (preliminary and as amended) all conclude “No fiscal impact.”
  • Legislative timeline:
    • Introduced by Rep. Hasenfus of Readfield on Jan 21, 2025; referred to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.
    • Committee work sessions and a divided report (OTP‑AM/ONTP); Committee Amendment “A” (H‑97) was adopted.
    • Passed both chambers (May 13–14, 2025) and signed by the Governor on May 16, 2025.
  • Effective date: The documents provided do not state a statutory effective date; the law was enacted May 16, 2025 (further effectivity details would be found in the session law or bill text).

Notes and caveats

  • This summary is based on legislative actions, fiscal notes and bill metadata; the exact scope of the expansion (the precise words added to the definition) is not included in the provided materials. To assess concrete legal effects, consult the final enrolled bill text or the session law (including Committee Amendment H‑97).

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

Sign in to ask a question.