AUGUSTA — Sen. Pinny Beebe-Center , D-Rockland, has been appointed by Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, to serve as Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety for the 132nd Maine Legislature.  

The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee is responsible for overseeing legislation related to protecting communities, criminal procedure, fire safety, law enforcement and victims’ rights. 

“I am proud to have been reappointed to serve as the Chair of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee for the 132nd legislature,” said Sen. Beebe-Center, in a news release. “In the 131st, I worked diligently to change the tone and tenor on how we talk about criminal justice issues here in Maine. I look forward to continuing that work and working to pass meaningful legislation for Mainers.” 
 
Sen. Beebe-Center will also serve on the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government, a committee that is responsible for overseeing legislation related to state contracts and fiscal procedures, state government organization, oversight of state officials, state employees and property, administrative procedures, boards and commissions, notaries public, capital area planning, county and regional government, county budget process, municipal and local government and public service.
 

“I am excited to be returning to work on the State and Local Government Committee,” said Sen. Beebe-Center. “I first joined this committee when I was elected into the Maine House of Representatives. I care deeply about ensuring that out government is working for the people, and I am excited to look at meaningful state and municipal policy changes to continue to make Maine a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

Lawmakers are assigned to committees by the presiding officers based on their interests, experience and professional background. Joint standing committees are composed of three senators and 10 representatives.  

Sen. Beebe-Center’s said her career is driven by her desire to help others and to improve government programs and systems. Public service is a hard-wired value for Sen. Beebe-Center and one she experienced first-hand from caring teachers and adults in the formative years of her life. 

As a member of the House, she served on the Committees on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, State and Local Government, and Marine Resources. In these roles, she worked with members of law enforcement, people who experienced substance use disorders, and those who were leaving incarceration. This deepened her understanding that in Maine, we help those in our community who are struggling and know that all citizens can earn the opportunity for a second chance.

Sen. Beebe-Center represents Maine Senate District 12 which includes all of Knox County except for the towns of Washington and Isle au Haut. The Legislature is set to reconvene on Jan. 8, 2025.