{"id":2531252,"date":"2026-01-07T21:04:59","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T02:04:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mills-allows-52-bills-to-become-law-without-signature-vetoes-one\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T21:08:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T02:08:25","slug":"mills-allows-52-bills-to-become-law-without-signature-vetoes-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mills-allows-52-bills-to-become-law-without-signature-vetoes-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Mills allows 52 bills to become law without signature; vetoes one"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmills-allows-52-bills-to-become-law-without-signature-vetoes-one%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2531252&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Outgoing Maine Gov. Janet Mills allowed 52 of 61 bills sent to her from the previous legislative session to become law without her signature,vetoing one proposal that would have updated the state&#8217;s voter-approved &#8220;right to repair&#8221; law as it gave automakers control over access to vehicle telematics data. Among the measures she let stand were bills limiting local cooperation with ICE, requiring serial numbers for &#8220;ghost&#8221; guns and 3D\u2011printed firearm parts, creating a permanent seal for criminal records of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/authorities-arrest-14-suspects-in-child-sex-trafficking-crackdown-in-california\/\" title=\"14 suspects arrested in California child sex trafficking crackdown.\">sexual trafficking victims<\/a>, and establishing a statewide takeback program for PFAS\u2011contaminated firefighting foam. Mills has not yet acted on a bill granting the Wabanaki Nations exclusive rights to operate internet gaming and said she will announce that decision soon. Lawmakers returned to Augusta for a new two\u2011year session and recalled a few bills for revision, including one to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >add mental\u2011health data<\/a> to firearm fatality and hospitalization reports. Mills,term\u2011limited as governor,is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Sen. Susan Collins in the upcoming midterms.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Mills allows 52 bills to become law without signature; vetoes one<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2466312\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &mdash; Outgoing Democratic <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maine\/\">Maine<\/a> Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/janet-mills\/\">Janet Mills<\/a> on Wednesday approved dozens of previously&nbsp;passed bills as lawmakers returned to the state Capitol for another two-year session.<\/p>\n<p>Mills announced that she has allowed 52 of 61 bills sent to her by lawmakers in the previous session to become law without her signature and vetoed a proposal that sought to update the state&rsquo;s voter-approved <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/consumers\/\">&ldquo;right to repair&rdquo;<\/a> law.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4410401\/tim-walz-democrats-trump-propaganda-ice-shooting-minneapolis\/\">Walz leads Democrats in rejecting Trump &#8216;propaganda&#8217; after ICE fatally shoots woman<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4410099\/house-overcomes-earmark-dispute-advances-spending-bills\/\">House overcomes earmark dispute to advance next slate of spending bills<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4410516\/democrats-housing-affordability-2026-midterm-elections\/\">Democrats frame housing affordability as 2026 test for Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The bills included two controversial proposals Mills had previously signaled she would allow to become law, one limiting local cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and another bill that will require serial numbers for so-called &ldquo;ghost&rdquo; guns and firearm components that can be made with a 3D printer.<\/p>\n<p>Another&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/legis\/bills\/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0741&amp;item=1&amp;snum=132\">bill<\/a>&nbsp;that became law without Mills&rsquo; signature will allow a permanent seal of criminal records for victims of sexual trafficking or exploitation. She also allowed&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0145&amp;item=1&amp;snum=132\">legislation<\/a>&nbsp;establishing a statewide takeback program for firefighting foam laden with PFAS or so-called &lsquo;forever&rsquo; chemicals that firefighters say have contributed to higher rates of cancer within their ranks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I appreciate the hard work of the Legislature to send a considerable number of bills to my desk, which required review and deliberation in advance of the upcoming session,&rdquo; Mills said in a statement. &ldquo;These decisions reflect careful consideration of each bill. I look forward to continuing to work with the Legislature in this next session, my last as governor, on legislation to benefit our state into the future.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Mills said she vetoed the &ldquo;right to repair&rdquo; update because it included a &ldquo;controversial&rdquo; provision that would allow automobile manufacturers to decide how vehicle telemetric data is made accessible for independent auto repair shops. &ldquo;Without timely access to vehicle data, independent auto shops are left at a significant competitive disadvantage, and consumers would have fewer choices for automotive service and repair,&rdquo; Mills wrote.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The governor didn&rsquo;t act on a bill that would give the Wabanaki Nations exclusive rights to operate internet gaming in the state. Mills said she would be announcing her decision on that&nbsp;bill in the coming days.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The decision comes as Maine lawmakers returned&nbsp;to Augusta on Wednesday for a new two<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/salena-zito-pennsylvania-democrats-upended-as-house-speaker-flips-to-independent\/\" title=\"Salena Zito: Pennsylvania Democrats Upended as House Speaker Flips to Independent\">-year legislative session<\/a>, with nearly 60 bills on Mills&rsquo; desk from the previous two-year session. Under state law, Mills had until Jan. 10 to act on the bills.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Legislative&nbsp;leaders on Wednesday also &ldquo;recalled&rdquo; a handful of bills from Mills&rsquo; desk to make changes before the governor decides. That included a bill that would require the state to include mental health data in firearm fatalities and hospitalization reports.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Last month, Mills signaled that she would allow the Democratic-backed bill limiting cooperation between local police and federal immigration officials to become law without her signature. She&nbsp;also repealed an executive order issued in 2011 by then-Republican Gov. Paul LePage, which called for fostering more cooperation between state and federal officials on immigration enforcement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Republicans have blasted Mills for not vetoing the bill, saying it will make the state less safe and potentially impact millions of dollars in federal grant funding the state receives from the federal government, with the Trump administration threatening to freeze funding for &ldquo;sanctuary&rdquo; states and communities. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4409425\/elizabeth-warren-sends-checks-state-democratic-parties-midterm-elections\/\">WARREN SENDS $400,000 TO STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTIES AHEAD OF MIDTERM ELECTIONS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Mills, who is prevented by term&nbsp;limits from seeking another four years as governor, is running for the Democratic Party&rsquo;s nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in November&rsquo;s midterm elections.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Recent&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/maine\/article_c3cbaf34-39e5-4218-ac1b-e28185c82eb6.html\">polls<\/a>&nbsp;have shown Mills trailing behind Oyster farmer and political newcomer Graham Platner, who is also seeking the party&rsquo;s nomination.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mills lets 52 bills pass, vetoes one<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2869,"featured_media":2531253,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Janet-Mills.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[54091,4762,9148,33833,14351],"class_list":["post-2531252","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-janet-mills","tag-legislation","tag-maine","tag-state-government","tag-veto"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Janet-Mills.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531252","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2869"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2531252"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531252\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2531256,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531252\/revisions\/2531256"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2531253"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2531252"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2531252"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2531252"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}