Home → News → New Maine Laws in Effect This Week

AUGUSTA — Many new laws with regard to Maine’s Department of Secretary of State, made up of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions and the Maine State Archives, went into effect this week.

Unless specifically specified otherwise in legislation, new Maine laws go into effect 90 days after the end of a legislative session. For the 2022 legislative session, most laws went into effect on Monday, August 8.

“Mainers’ lives are interconnected and multifaceted, and that is reflected in the broad array of new laws going into effect this week,” said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. “From giving law enforcement the tools they need to investigate catalytic converter thefts; to supporting school systems as they convert bus fleets to electric vehicles; to strengthening chain of custody requirements for ballots and tabulators to prevent election interference; and increasing our data collection processes so lawmakers of the future can make more informed decisions – we’re working to support Mainers and make our state an ever-better place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Any new laws with an “emergency clause,” including the supplemental budget, went into effect immediately upon receiving Gov. Mills’ signature. Other laws, including the new semi-open primaries law, have later implementation dates than this week.

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