Bill
LD 635
LD 635 directs Maine's Attorney General to withdraw the state's climate-change lawsuit against major oil companies.
LD 635 Summary (Resolve To Direct the Attorney General to Drop the Lawsuit Against Big Oil Companies Concerning Climate Change)
Overview
- Bill number and title: LD 635, a Resolve aimed at directing the Maine Attorney General to withdraw the state’s climate-change lawsuit against major oil companies.
- Status: Dead. Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) after consideration in the 132nd Legislature.
- Introduced: February 20, 2025. Referred to the Committee on Judiciary. The bill progressed through standard committee and floor procedures but was not enacted.
- Classification/subject: Resolve; directs the executive branch (Attorney General) and relates to state civil suits and powers of the Attorney General.
Purpose and intent
- The core purpose of LD 635 is to compel the Attorney General to withdraw the state’s lawsuit filed against oil companies concerning climate change. As a Resolve, the bill functions as a directive to the state’s executive branch rather than creating or modifying substantive statutory rights or obligations.
Key provisions (highlights)
- Directives to the Attorney General: The primary operative provision would require the AG to withdraw the climate-change lawsuit against the named oil companies.
- Dispute resolution and outside counsel: The bill contemplates potential dispute resolution processes and references the state’s outside counsel relationship. Withdrawals would likely involve agreement terms, timelines, or settlement mechanisms as part of the withdrawal process.
- Governance and procedural steps: While specific procedural steps are not provided in the fiscal note excerpt, the bill would be implemented through standard department procedures for terminating litigation, including any necessary court filings and coordination with outside counsel.
Fiscal impact
- Fiscal Note (approved April 24, 2025) indicates potential additional costs to the Department of the Attorney General in withdrawing from the lawsuit.
- Cost drivers: Any such costs would depend on dispute-resolution efforts and the terms of the state’s legal services agreement with outside counsel. The note classifies these as potential General Fund expenditures in the current biennium or upcoming period.
Affected parties
- Government entities: Maine Department of the Attorney General (AG’s Office) would undertake withdrawal procedures.
- Litigation stakeholders: The oil companies named in the suit; the state court handling the case.
- Financial/taxpayer impact: Potential General Fund costs associated with withdrawal and dispute-resolution activities; indirect impacts on the state’s civil litigation posture.
Timeline and procedural notes
- 2025-02-20: LD 635 referred to Judiciary.
- 2025-03-27: Work session held; bill reported out as ONTP/OTP-AM (Not-To-Be-Preferred-But-Amended).
- 2025-05-15 to 2025-05-21: Multiple readings and floor votes; House and Senate actions culminated with the bill being placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) on May 21, 2025.
- The fiscal note was approved on 04/24/25, linking cost considerations to withdrawal actions and outside counsel arrangements.
Bottom line
LD 635 sought to obligate Maine’s Attorney General to drop the climate-change lawsuit against major oil companies. While it advanced through committee and floor votes, it ultimately did not become law and is categorized as dead. The fiscal note highlights potential General Fund costs associated with withdrawing the lawsuit, contingent on dispute-resolution processes and outside counsel arrangements.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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