Lawmakers in Maine adjourned the 2026 legislative session on April 29 after upholding two vetoes issued by Governor Janet Mills, according to a May 5 update. The first veto concerned LD 1911, a bill that would have sealed certain criminal records. Mills said she objected to the scope of crimes covered by the legislation and cited concerns about paperwork burden for an already understaffed judicial branch.
The second upheld veto involved LD 307, which would have created the nation’s first statewide temporary moratorium on data center projects. Mills said she supports a moratorium but wanted an exemption for an ongoing project at a former papermill in Jay. Because LD 307 did not include this exemption, her veto was sustained by a margin of twenty votes. Following this decision, Mills issued an executive order establishing a Maine Data Center Advisory Council similar to what had been proposed in LD 307.
May also marked the start of paid family and medical leave benefits under new state law enacted in 2023. State officials reported that as of May 1 there were approximately two thousand pre-applicants, three hundred approved applications, and one hundred two employees beginning their leave.
The National Federation of Independent Business – Maine advocates for small and independent businesses by promoting legislative priorities and providing education. It delivers economic reports and policy updates to support its members. The organization traces its roots to 1943, according to the official website.
The National Federation of Independent Business maintains nonprofit and nonpartisan status while supporting communities across Maine through advocacy efforts with the legislature, education initiatives for business owners, and economic reporting activities—according to information available from its official website.
