Sen. Duson named to Veterans and Legal Affairs, Government Oversight Committees for the 132nd Maine Legislature  

Posted: December 12, 2024 | Government Oversight Committee, Senator Duson, Veterans and Legal Affairs

AUGUSTA — Senate Assistant Majority Leader Jill Duson, D-Portland, has been appointed by Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, to serve onthe Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs and the Committee on Government Oversight for the 132nd Maine Legislature. 

The Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee oversees state policy related to veterans’ services, campaign finance and clean elections, statewide emergency management and preparedness, election systems, and lobbying registration and regulations. 

Sen. Jill Duson

“I’m honored to join the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee this session. My family’s roots in military service extend as far back to the colored troop regiments in the Civil War, and I know the commitment veterans make to our state and country is profound,” said Sen. Duson. “I will focus my committee work on supporting the needs of Maine veterans and their families. In addition, I look forward to rolling up my sleeves on policy matters from elections and campaign finance to supporting our statewide emergency management network.” 

Sen. Duson will also serve on the Government Oversight Committee, which oversees program evaluation and government accountability within state government. “I’ve stood up for accountability and justice throughout my public service career, and I look forward to continuing that focus as a member of the Government Oversight Committee, on behalf of my constituents and the people of Maine” said Sen. Duson.  

Duson was also appointed to Senate Standing Committee on Senate Rules. The Committee has oversight of the Senate Rules adopted at the start of each Legislature.

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.  

Sen. Duson is a retired public service executive, attorney and former Mayor, At-large City Councilor and School Board Chair in Portland. Duson was first elected to Portland City Council in 2001. A proud mother of two grown children, Sen. Duson is an avid Maine Celtics fan and reader. Duson remains inspired by the activism of her mother and empowered local parents, who partnered with allies and organizers to desegregate schools in her hometown. The senator’s community service commitment is about paying forward the investment that her civil rights heroes made to open doors for future generations of marginalized and underrepresented people. In her first term, she served as a member of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and the Government Oversight Committee.   

Sen. Duson represents Maine Senate District 27, which includes the communities of Portland and Westbrook. 

The Legislature is set to reconvene on Jan. 8, 2025.