Sen. Carpenter to chair the Judiciary Committee for the 129th Maine Legislature

AUGUSTA — Sen. Mike Carpenter, D-Aroostook, has been appointed by Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to chair the Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary for the 129th Legislative session. The Judiciary Committee is responsible for legislation related to civil rights, property rights, child welfare, family law, the judicial branch, and laws related to Maine’s Tribal communities.

“With over 30 years practicing both public and private law, I hope my experience will help serve the state well,” Sen. Carpenter said.

Sen. Carpenter also will serve on the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, which is responsible for legislation related to Maine’s public safety system: “This will affect those who work to ensure our safety and those who deserve to be treated fairly within the criminal justice framework,” said Sen. Carpenter.

Sen. Carpenter is serving in his sixth term in the Maine Senate, representing Senate District 2, which consists of central and southern Aroostook County and part of Penobscot County.

Lawmakers are assigned to committees by the presiding officers based on their interests, experience and professional background. Joint standing committees are composed of three senators and ten representatives. The Legislature is set to reconvene Jan. 2.