Joint Order, Ordered, The House Concurring, That When The Senate And House Adjourn, They Do So Until Tuesday, January 21, 2025, At 10:00 In The Morning, Or Until The Call Of The President Of The Senate And The Speaker Of The House, Respectively

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

Joint order requiring both chambers to adjourn until Jan 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM, unless leadership reconvenes earlier; sets when the Legislature resumes.

In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

Summary of SP 83 — Joint Order (Adjournment Date)

Overview

Bill Number: SP 83

Title: Joint Order, Ordered, The House Concurring, That When The Senate And House Adjourn, They Do So Until Tuesday, January 21, 2025, At 10:00 In The Morning, Or Until The Call Of The President Of The Senate And The Speaker Of The House, Respectively

Type: Joint Resolution (joint order)

Status: In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

Introduced: January 14, 2025

Actions to Date:

2025-01-14: On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland READ and PASSED
2025-01-14: READ and PASSED
2025-01-14: In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH
2025-01-14: Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

Purpose and Intent

The bill establishes a formal adjournment plan for both chambers (the Senate and the House). It directs that, upon adjournment, the legislative bodies will remain adjourned until Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., unless they are reconvened earlier by the respective leadership (President of the Senate and Speaker of the House).

Key Provisions

Adjournment Timing: Sets a specific reconvening date and time—January 21, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.—for both chambers after adjournment.

Conditional Reopening: Allows for reconvening earlier at the call of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, respectively.

Scope: Applies to all activities of the Legislature during the adjourned period, subject to any earlier reconvening orders.

Affected Entities

Legislative Bodies: The Maine Senate and the Maine House of Representatives (based on typical state legislative structure; SP 83 is identified as a joint resolution concerning adjournment).

Leadership: President of the Senate and Speaker of the House retain authority to call members back before the scheduled date.

Timing and Procedural Context

The measure is a joint order that requires concurrence from both chambers to take effect. It was introduced and moved through the legislative process on January 14, 2025, and has been ordered sent forthwith for concurrence, indicating a prompt, expedited handling.

Potential Impacts

Legislative Schedule: Establishes a formal pause in legislative activities and a clear reconvening date, which can affect committee meetings, bill deadlines, and ongoing legislative work.

Operational Considerations: Provides clarity for staff, lobbyists, and the public about when the Legislature will resume activities, unless leadership calls for an earlier session.

Notes for Readers

No fiscal provisions or policy changes are included beyond setting the adjournment timeline. The effect is procedural, governing when the Legislature will reconvene after adjournment.