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SP 796

Joint Order, Ordered, The House Concurring, That When The Senate And House Adjourn, They Do So Until The Call Of The President Of The Senate And The Speaker Of The House, Respectively.

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Teresa Pierce

Maine legislature grants its leadership authority to adjourn indefinitely and reconvene at will without formal legislative recall procedures.

In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
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Bill Summary · SP 796

Legislative bill overview

SP 796 is a procedural joint order passed by the Maine Legislature that allows both chambers to adjourn without a fixed end date, instead remaining in recess until the Senate President and House Speaker decide to recall them. This gives legislative leadership the power to reconvene the legislature outside the normal session schedule.

Why is this important

This mechanism provides flexibility for the legislature to address urgent matters that arise between scheduled sessions without requiring a formal recall vote. It's a common procedural tool that essentially puts the legislature on standby under leadership discretion rather than requiring advance notice or formal action to reconvene.

Potential points of contention

  • Executive power imbalance: Concentrates significant discretionary authority in two individuals (Senate President and House Speaker) to determine when legislators must return, potentially limiting legislative independence
  • Transparency concerns: Citizens and legislators may have limited notice of special sessions called under this order, reducing public engagement with legislative processes
  • Abuse potential: Without specific trigger criteria or timeline requirements, leadership could theoretically use this to call expensive special sessions for partisan advantage or delay calling sessions when needed

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

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