Sen. Chenette’s PAC reform bill passes unanimously in legislature

AUGUSTA —On Tuesday, the Maine House of Representatives voted unanimously to support Sen. Justin Chenette’s, D-Saco, bill LD 256, “An Act To Ban the Use of Leadership Political Action Committees for Personal Profit.” The Senate voted unanimously to approve the measure last week.

This bill would prevent legislators and candidates from profiting off political contributions by using political action committees (PACs) to loan their private business money. It also would bar individuals from commingling personal and PAC funds to avoid possible misuse.

“Every single Democrat, Republican, and Independent spoke loud and clear that closing this campaign finance loophole is the right thing to do,” said Sen. Chenette. “Mainers deserve a political system that benefits the public good rather than coating the lines of insiders’ pockets.”

LD 256 faces additional votes and then awaits approval from Gov. Janet Mills before it can be enacted into law.

This bill is also a part of larger campaign finance reform package from Sen. Chenette. LD 76, “An Act To Strengthen the Integrity of the Legislature by Extending the Waiting Period before Legislators May Engage in Any Amount of Compensated Lobbying,” and LD 54, “An Act To Limit the Influence of Lobbyists by Expanding the Prohibition on Accepting Political Contributions,” have received support in committee and are expected to come to the Senate floor for a vote.

Sen. Chenette is a member of the Senate Ethics Committee.