Public Hearing for LD 395 and LD 785
Maine residents: public hearings for two significant bills related to Wabanaki sovereignty will take place on Thursday, February 19th, 2026.
Testimony for LD 395, An Act to Restore Access to Federal Laws Beneficial to the Wabanaki Nations, will be heard by the Judiciary Committee at the State House at 10am, and the hearing for LD 785, An Act to Enact the Remaining Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act will take place at 1pm.
More information on both bills can be found here. If you would like to provide testimony on one or both bills, you may find the guide below to be helpful. Testimony can be given in person, over Zoom, or submitted online.
SUBMITTING YOUR WRITTEN TESTIMONY
- Go to: https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/
- Select “public hearing”
- Select “Judiciary” as the committee hearing this bill.
- Select February 19 2026 at 1pm or 10am as the day of the hearing
- Select the bill — LD 395, “An Act to Restore Access to Federal Laws Beneficial to the Wabanaki Nations,” or LD 785, “An Act to Enact the Remaining Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act”
- Enter your testimony, by uploading a PDF or by copying the text and pasting it into the testimony field
- If you want to testify orally during the public hearing, check the “I would like to present my testimony live” at the same time you submit your written testimony. You should submit written testimony even if you are planning to deliver it live during the hearing. Find tips below on how to testify at the hearing…
- Enter your name and contact information, check the “captcha” box, and select “submit/register.”
Your written testimony will be shared with members of the committee, be added to the bill website, and become part of the bill’s permanent legislative record.
TESTIFY DURING THE HEARING
Delivering your testimony live during the public hearing is a powerful way to demonstrate your support for this legislation.
- Register for the hearing. When you submit your written testimony, check the box “I would like to present my testimony live,” which can be found just above the entry field for your testimony. You must register at least 30 minutes before the hearing begins.
Practice. Oral testimony is usually limited to 2 minutes, so you may need to shorten your written testimony. Practice before the hearing to make sure you have the timing down.
