ROCKLAND — Knox County's budget process has been in a state of suspended animation for months, but emergency legislation submitted by Rep. William Pluecker, I-Warren, may adjust the procedure enough to nudge the system back on track.

A public hearing on LD 2158 will take place January 28 before the Maine Legislature's Committee on State and Local Government. The bill, An Act to Address Vacancies on the Knox County Budget, was referred to the committee Jan. 13 after the Legislative Council agreed the situation in Knox County warranted immediate attention.

"Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety...." reads the bill's preamble.

In short, if the bill is approved, the three Knox County Commissioners will have the power to appoint more members to the County's Budget Committee.

Candidates may be recommended (written) by Knox County municipalities. The Commissioners are to "give due regard to such a recommendation when making an appointment to the Budget Committee."

The bill is cosponsored by five other Knox County and Midcoast legislators: Representatives Victoria Doudera, D-Camden; Valli Geiger, D-Rockland; Ann Matlack, D- St. George; Mike Ray, D-Lincolnville; and Senator Anne Beebe-Center, D- Rockland.

At issue has been a deficit of Knox County Budget Committee members, and that has held up the 2026 budget process for the county.

Usually, a county budget has been crafted and approved, or rejected, by the end of the calendar year. That budget is what determines how much money is spent on the courthouse, jail, sheriff's office, emergency dispatch, airport and other public services that all under county purview.

But because of contradictory set of rules set forth by the County Charter and state statute that govern quorum necessity and the fact that there are but four Knox County Budget Committee members when there are supposed to be nine (for lack of candidates from around the county), the budget process ground to a halt last October. Since then, the county has been operating under its 2025 budget.

Pluecker's bill intends to resolve the predictament.

Under Maine Title 30 and the Knox County Charter, the Knox County Budget Committee consists of nine members who serve four-year terms. If a vacancy in the membership occurs, the Budget Committee is required to fill the vacancy, subject to confirmation by a majority of the Knox County Commissioners.

According to the charter, there must be a quorum of at least five members.

But with only four members, the committee's hands are tied and cannot fill vacant seats.

LD 2158, "provides temporary authority for the Knox County Commissioners to appoint eligible residents to the Budget Committee whenever, due to a vacancy, a quorum cannot be attained. The bill establishes a process for recognizing recommendations of eligible residents of Knox County put forward by municipalities located in the district for the seat that is vacant. The bill does not affect the requirement of the Budget Committee to fill vacancies once it has a quorum," according to the legislative summary.

The bill sunsets in 2029.

The Legislature's calendar has the State and Local Government Committee convening at 1 p.m. on January 28.

To submit testimony, go here. To watch the hearing, go here.

The State and Local Government Committee consists of:

Senator Joseph Baldacci - Chair

Senator Anne Beebe-Center

Senator Joseph Martin

Representative Suzanne Salisbury - Chair

Representative Jeffrey Adams

Representative Lynn Copeland

Representative Wayne Farrin

Representative Lori Gramlich

Representative Randall Greenwood

Representative Kimberly Pomerleau

Representative David Rollins

Representative Will Tuell

Representative Joseph Underwood