Karen Montell is a Democratic member of the Maine House of Representatives who has represented District 54 since December 6, 2022 and is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election.[1][2]Her career experience includes working as a small business owner and legislative staffer.[1]
Karen Montell graduated from Gardiner Area High School and earned a modeling degree from Barbizon Modeling in 1989.[1]She was assigned to the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee in 2023-2024 and advanced from the Democratic primary on June 9, 2026.[1]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned
›Jobs & cost of living246 with · 17 against263 votes
As introduced, suspends employer paid family and medical leave premiums until January 1, 2026 (employers may keep paying) and directs the Labor Department to set rules by November 1, 2025 for expedited approval of private plans, waiving premiums while applications are pending.
On the version voted Mar 13, 2025: Makes supplemental appropriations and allocations for state government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and changes related laws, including carrying unspent funds into the next fiscal year and updating state tax references to the federal tax code.
Sets Maine's state budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and adjusts fiscal 2025 spending, and changes related laws, including raising the cigarette tax from $2 to $3.50 per pack starting January 5, 2026, with a matching increase on other tobacco products.
As introduced, requires public school and college teams to be designated male, female or coed, bars male students from female teams, and requires restrooms, changing rooms and sleeping quarters to be designated for one sex.
On the version voted Feb 10, 2026: Extends ranked-choice voting to general and special elections for Governor, State Senator and State Representative, with technical wording changes, and states the winner is the candidate with a plurality of votes.
As introduced, broadens drug-impairment testing law to cover impairment by any drug, replaces "drug recognition expert" with "law enforcement officer", and clarifies that the Secretary of State immediately suspends the license of a person who fails to submit to or complete the test.
On the version voted Mar 26, 2026: Declares that people in Maine have a right to harvest fish and wildlife by hunting, fishing or trapping for their own nourishment, sustenance, health or well-being, subject to applicable laws and rules.
Removes the time limit on directing forward capacity market payments to beneficial electrification, and adds electric vehicles to heat pumps as an eligible use of those funds.
Directs the Department of Environmental Protection to report on levels of chemicals and metals in air and soil statewide, and on soil testing at solar farm sites before, after and during operation.
Limits increases in total premiums for active and retired state employee health insurance, for fiscal years ending after June 30, 2026, to the Consumer Price Index percentage increase plus 10%, excluding the fully insured Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan.
As introduced, bars school administrative units from conducting student evaluations that test or diagnose intellectual, emotional, behavioral, psychological or physical development without first obtaining parental consent.
Allows, at the prescriber's request, labels on mifepristone, misoprostol and their generics to show the prescriber's health care facility instead of the prescriber's name.
As introduced, requires public school and college teams to be designated male, female or coed, bars male students from female teams, and requires restrooms, changing rooms and sleeping quarters to be designated for one sex.
Directs the Department of Education to study placing child care facilities in public schools and set up pilot programs in at least 4 school administrative units, serving children of school staff, with funding appropriated.
As introduced, bars state-funded schools and colleges from letting a person whose sex assigned at birth is male join female-designated competitive athletics or use female-only facilities.
Changes the annual housing data that municipalities of 4,000 or more residents report to the Maine Office of Community Affairs, moving the deadline to March 31 and revising the building-type categories, and encourages smaller towns to report.
On the version voted Apr 2, 2026: Raises the state reimbursement to municipalities and Indian tribes for general assistance costs from 70% to 75% of direct costs incurred on or after July 1, 2026.
As introduced, adds status as a recipient of public assistance, including medical assistance and housing subsidies, to Maine's housing discrimination law, covering inquiries, sales, rentals, evictions and loans, and bars refusing to rent to recipients because of that status.
As introduced, broadens drug-impairment testing law to cover impairment by any drug, replaces "drug recognition expert" with "law enforcement officer", and clarifies that the Secretary of State immediately suspends the license of a person who fails to submit to or complete the test.
As introduced, proposes a constitutional amendment requiring at least 60% of automobile-related sales and use tax revenue to go to the Highway Fund starting July 1, 2027, for all modes of transportation.
Directs the Maine Connectivity Authority to review the laws on the ConnectMaine Authority and recommend changes to move its functions to the Maine Connectivity Authority by October 1, 2027, with a report due January 15, 2027.
Requires manufacturers of digital electronic equipment to give independent repairers and owners repair documentation, parts and tools on fair terms from 2028, and bars software parts pairing in newer consumer electronics; excludes vehicles, medical devices and game consoles; bars suits by owners and repairers.
On the version voted Apr 9, 2026: Enacts the Maine Online Data Privacy Act, letting residents access, correct, delete and opt out of sale or targeted-advertising use of their personal data held by businesses, and limiting collection of sensitive data; as amended, takes effect September 1, 2027.
Prohibits sending Maine's state military forces into foreign combat without a congressional declaration of war or action for an enumerated constitutional purpose, while allowing the Governor to deploy them for civil missions in the U.S.
Voted against most of their party on 25 of 704 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (14), Climate & energy (7), Rights & public safety (6)
Resolve, to Create a Tax Incentive Pilot Project to Encourage Businesses to Adopt a 4-day Workweek
A yes vote would have accepted the committee majority's report that LD 1865 (four-day workweek pilot resolve) pass as amended, moving the pilot to the Department of Economic and Community Development and ending it by December 31, 2029. (AI-written)
What it does: Directs the Department of Economic and Community Development to run a Four-day Workweek Pilot Project ending by December 31, 2029, and makes participating employers eligible for the wellness program tax credit.
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 41–31, Republicans 1–68
An Act to Prohibit the Unauthorized Use of Drones on or over the Premises of Correctional Facilities and Jails
What it does: On the version voted Apr 7, 2026: Makes intentionally or knowingly flying a drone over a correctional facility or jail without authorization a civil violation with a fine of at least $500, and a Class D crime for repe…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 4–67, Republicans 67–0
An Act to Provide an Exemption from Pilotage Requirements for Passenger Ferry Service Between Bar Harbor, Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
What it does: Provides ongoing General Fund money to the Department of Economic and Community Development to pay for pilotage services for the Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia ferry.
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 56–16, Republicans 0–68
An Act to Provide an Exemption from Pilotage Requirements for Passenger Ferry Service Between Bar Harbor, Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
What it does: On the version voted Mar 12, 2026: Provides ongoing General Fund money to the Department of Economic and Community Development to pay for pilotage services for the Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia ferry.
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 38–34, Republicans 0–70
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
LD 307 · ME HOUSE
An Act Regarding Energy, Utilities and Technology
Not votingNO VOTE
Motion: Move the Previous Question
A yes vote moved to end debate and bring the pending question on LD 307, establishing the Maine Data Center Coordination Council, to an immediate vote. (AI-written)
On the version voted Apr 14, 2026: Requires the Department of Energy Resources to convene a Maine Data Center Coordination Council to report by February 1, 2027, and bars permits for data centers of 20 megawatts or more before November 1, 2027.
A yes vote supported overriding the Governor's veto of LD 307 (Maine Data Center Coordination Council and temporary data center limit); a two-thirds vote was required. (AI-written)
On the version voted Apr 14, 2026: Requires the Department of Energy Resources to convene a Maine Data Center Coordination Council to report by February 1, 2027, and bars permits for data centers of 20 megawatts or more before November 1, 2027.
Requires the Department of Energy Resources to convene a Maine Data Center Coordination Council to report by February 1, 2027, and bars permits for data centers of 20 megawatts or more before November 1, 2027.
An Act to Create a Stewardship Program for Electronic Smoking Devices and Related Products
YesVOTED
Motion: Enactment
Requires producers of electronic smoking devices to submit a stewardship plan for collecting unwanted devices, requires retailers selling them to join as collection sites within 3 years of plan approval, and sets a minimum $2 incentive per returned device (up to 2 a day).
An Act to Create a Separate Department of Child and Family Services
YesVOTED
Motion: Acc Maj Ought Not to Pass Rep
As introduced, creates a Department of Child and Family Services and moves child and family services and child welfare functions to it from the Department of Health and Human Services.
An Act to Restore Full Civil Rights to Possess Firearms to Persons Previously Convicted of Certain Nonviolent Felony Crimes
NoVOTED
Motion: SUSPEND RULES -
As amended, lets a person with a single Class B or C felony conviction ask a District Court to restore firearm rights 10 years after completing the sentence, excluding crimes such as robbery, arson and offenses involving firearms; requires a background check.
An Act to Strengthen Legislative Oversight of Government Agencies and Programs by Reaffirming the Legislature's Access to Confidential Records
YesVOTED
Motion: ACC MIN OTP-AM BY CA-B
Requires the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability director to brief the Government Oversight Committee every two years on confidentiality policies, and lets the director share a confidential copy of a final report with it before public release, after the agency review period.
An Act to Strengthen Legislative Oversight of Government Agencies and Programs by Reaffirming the Legislature's Access to Confidential Records
NoVOTED
Motion: suspend house rule 515
Requires the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability director to brief the Government Oversight Committee every two years on confidentiality policies, and lets the director share a confidential copy of a final report with it before public release, after the agency review period.
