Maine House overrides governor's veto of LD 12-28, voting 96-44

The Maine House of Representatives voted 96-44 to override the governor's veto of LD 12-28, a bill aimed at clarifying how vehicle data access and right-to-repair rules are implemented.

Supporters, including the bill sponsor, argued the measure corrects statutory gaps and aligns state law with federal safety and cybersecurity expectations. Representative Roberts, the bill's sponsor, told colleagues the legislature had spent nearly three years in working groups, committee review and public testimony and that the veto letter did not cite a specific legal defect in the statute. "There is no citation to statutory language that is unenforceable," Roberts said, urging the House to respect the legislative process and override the veto.

Opponents warned of potential consequences for small repair shops and autonomous systems. A member recognized from Newport described concerns about rural affordability and said they would vote to sustain the veto, noting the practical impact of repair costs in their district.

Representatives who supported the override emphasized cybersecurity risks tied to vehicle telematics. Representative Quinn argued, "What we are deciding today is whether we are comfortable opening digital doors we do not yet know how to lock," and said the bill insists access be secure, owner-authorized and implemented to avoid unnecessary risk. Representative Renicki, who described three decades in the automobile industry, said the opposition stemmed in part from misunderstanding the technology and urged members to support the override: "If you don't use the technology, you don't deal with it, you don't understand how it works," Renicki said.

Other backers framed the measure as carrying out the will of voters and protecting small repair businesses. Representative Mellon described LD 12-28 as an affordability and consumer-choice issue following the 2023 citizens' initiative on right-to-repair; Representative Colin Moore described extensive constituent outreach and urged colleagues to preserve work done in committee.

After debate the House proceeded to a roll-call vote. A majority of 96 members voted in the affirmative and 44 in the negative; the chair announced, "The veto is not sustained," meaning the veto was overridden and the bill will be sent forthwith.

The session also included opening prayers, tributes to the late Representative Kathy Jaffner and several procedural motions and committee referrals. The House adjourned, setting the next convening under a joint order and noting an honorary in memoriam and a planned security briefing for members.

Next steps: With the override recorded, LD 12-28 will proceed according to legislative transmission procedures. The House adjourned and announced it will reconvene under the previously stated joint order.