Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Maine
Russell Black
Republican · Senator

Russell Black

Represents District 5 in the State Senate.

Official site ↗ Email
Votes with Republicans
96%
on 607 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 96%
Cast a vote
92%
Yea or Nay on 713 of 775 roll calls · Senate median 97%
Their bills that became law
11 of 18
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 5
Roll calls on record
775
132nd Legislature
Votes and bills updated Oct 10, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 132nd Legislature.

How Russell Black votes

A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.

Where Russell Black sits in the Senate

Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Russell Black is circled.

Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party

26 of 607 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.

LD299 · An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Support Maine's Agricultural and Forestry Sectors and Expand Grant Eligibility Under the Farmers Drought Resilience Program Fund
Yea
Enactment-bond Issue RC #960 · 2026-04-14 · Passed 23–10 · most Republicans voted the other way
LD1942 · An Act to Establish an Excise Tax on Cannabis Pre-roll and to Change the Tax on Potentially Intoxicating Hemp Products
Yea
Adopt Senate Amendment (s-621) To Committee Amendment RC #888 · 2026-04-06 · Passed 22–10 · most Republicans voted the other way
LD1942 · An Act to Establish an Excise Tax on Cannabis Pre-roll and to Change the Tax on Potentially Intoxicating Hemp Products
Yea
Accept Report 'a' Ought To Pass As Amended RC #887 · 2026-04-06 · Passed 23–9 · most Republicans voted the other way
LD2165 · An Act to Change Supervisory Authority over the Capitol Police
Yea
Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #880 · 2026-04-06 · Passed 22–8 · most Republicans voted the other way
LD2094 · An Act to Authorize General Fund Bond Issues to Support Maine's Agricultural and Forestry Sectors
Yea
Suspend Rules (2/3) RC #844 · 2026-04-02 · Failed 23–12 · most Republicans voted the other way
LD1865 · Resolve, to Create a Tax Incentive Pilot Project to Encourage Businesses to Adopt a 4-day Workweek
Yea
Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #845 · 2026-04-02 · Passed 21–12 · most Republicans voted the other way
LD1730 · An Act to Make Small Plug-in Solar Generation Devices Accessible for All Maine Residents to Address the Energy Affordability Crisis
Yea
Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #767 · 2026-03-17 · Passed 25–8 · most Republicans voted the other way
LD1343 · An Act to Protect the Right to Harvest Fish and Wildlife
Nay
Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #729 · 2026-03-03 · Failed 15–19 · most Republicans voted the other way
LD128 · An Act to Support Permitting of Certain Multifamily Housing Developments Under the Site Location of Development Laws
Yea
Accept Report RC #717 · 2026-02-12 · Passed 23–9 · most Republicans voted the other way
LD1897 · An Act Regarding Outdoor Cultivation in the Medical Use Cannabis and Adult Use Cannabis Industries
Yea
Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #582 · 2025-06-16 · Passed 21–14 · most Republicans voted the other way
Closest votes they cast

Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.

LD299 · An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Support Maine's Agricultural and Forestry Sectors and Expand Grant Eligibility Under the Farmers Drought Resilience Program Fund
Yea
Adopt Senate Amendment (s-717) To Committee Amendment RC #958 · 2026-04-14 · Failed 17–17
LD1220 · An Act to Allow Chiropractors to Treat Dogs and Equids
Nay
Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #867 · 2026-04-06 · Failed 16–16
LD893 · An Act to Exempt Nonprofit Agricultural Membership Organizations from Insurance Requirements
Yea
Enactment RC #648 · 2025-06-25 · Failed 16–16
LD1731 · An Act to Increase the Influence of the Maine State Ferry Advisory Board on the Funding and Operations of the Maine State Ferry Service
Nay
Veto Override (2/3) RC #643 · 2025-06-25 · Failed 16–16
LD1868 · An Act to Advance a Clean Energy Economy by Updating Renewable and Clean Resource Procurement Laws
Yea
Commit RC #598 · 2025-06-17 · Failed 17–17
Democrats they vote with most

Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.

Craig HickmanDemocrat · District 14 · 654 shared contested votes
31%
Joe BaldacciDemocrat · District 9 · 588 shared contested votes
28%
Stacy BrennerDemocrat · District 30 · 578 shared contested votes
19%
Their session, month by month

Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (62 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.

2025-01: 6 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2025-02: 9 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2025-03: 31 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2025-04: 39 roll calls, 11 without a Yea or Nay2025-05: 120 roll calls, 35 without a Yea or Nay2025-06: 369 roll calls, 7 without a Yea or Nay2026-01: 4 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2026-02: 19 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2026-03: 71 roll calls, 8 without a Yea or Nay2026-04: 107 roll calls, 1 without a Yea or NayJan 2025Jan 2026Apr 2026
← Maine Delegation
Their bills, from filing to law

Bills Russell Black was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.

Introduced18
Out of committee13
Passed one chamber13
Passed both chambers13
Became law11
Never left committee0

For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 5 bills that became law this session.

What their bills are about
Public Lands 3Procedures 2Conveyances 1Trapping 1Regulations 1Crimes 1
An Act to Extend Funding for the Land for Maine's Future Program
FailedDied in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD) · 2026-04-29
An Act to Require the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands to Maintain the Weld to Byron Road in Township 6 North of Weld
FailedDied in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD) · 2026-04-29
An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Replenish the Land for Maine's Future Program
FailedDied in Possession of the Committee Upon Conclusion of the 132nd Legislature and PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES (DEAD). · 2026-04-29
An Act to Fund Maine's Snowmobile Trail Programs
Became lawPASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. · 2026-04-06
An Act to Clarify the Requirement for Municipalities to Provide Public Notice in a Newspaper
Became lawPASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. · 2026-03-30
An Act to Establish Additional Requirements Related to the Sale or Lease of Net Energy Billing Interests and Solar Energy Equipment
Became lawPASSED TO BE ENACTED – Emergency – 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence. · 2026-03-10
An Act to Prevent the Introduction or Transfer of Invasive Fish Species in Inland Waters of the State
Became lawPASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. · 2025-06-11
An Act to Exempt Agricultural Employers and Employees from the Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Program
FailedPlaced in the Legislative Files. (DEAD) · 2025-06-03
Resolve, to Establish the Commission to Study the Future of Recreational Access in Maine
FailedPursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) · 2025-05-27
Resolve, Directing the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to Assess Its Current Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs
Became lawFINALLY PASSED – Emergency – 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence. · 2025-05-27
Resolve, to Conduct a Study to Update Flood Hazard Data in the Sandy River Watershed
Became lawFINALLY PASSED, in concurrence. · 2025-05-27
An Act to Amend the Site Location of Development Laws to Require a 100-foot Buffer Between Solar Energy Developments and Rivers, Streams and Brooks
Became lawPASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. · 2025-05-21
An Act to Amend the Maine Litter Control Act
Became lawPASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. · 2025-05-21
An Act Regarding the Supply of Water to the Town of New Sharon
FailedPursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) · 2025-05-20
An Act to Prohibit Geoengineering, Including the Use of Cloud Seeding, Weather Modification, Excessive Radio Waves and Microwave Radiation
FailedPlaced in the Legislative Files. (DEAD) · 2025-05-14

Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.

Loading committees…
LD1911 · 2026-04-29
An Act to Automatically Seal Criminal History Record Information for Certain Crimes (Reconsideration – Veto RC #962)
Failed · 20-11
Nay
LD127 · 2026-04-29
An Act to Strengthen Legislative Oversight of Government Agencies and Programs by Reaffirming the Legislature's Access to Confidential Records (Recede And Concur RC #963)
Passed · 22-9
Yea
LD299 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Support Maine's Agricultural and Forestry Sectors and Expand Grant Eligibility Under the Farmers Drought Resilience Program Fund (Adopt Senate Amendment (s-709) To Committee Amendment RC #953)
Passed · 27-7
Yea
LD2054 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Clarify the Laws Regarding Moose Hunting Permits for Hunting Outfitters (Recede And Concur RC #952)
Passed · 24-10
Yea
LD2054 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Clarify the Laws Regarding Moose Hunting Permits for Hunting Outfitters (Reconsider RC #954)
Failed · 0-33
Nay
LD1519 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Create a Stewardship Program for Electronic Smoking Devices and Related Products (Enactment RC #957)
Passed · 21-13
Nay
LD493 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Expand Testing for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances to Private Drinking Water Wells (Enactment RC #956)
Passed · 21-13
Nay
LD307 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Establish the Maine Data Center Coordination Council and Place a Temporary Limitation on Certain Data Centers (Enactment RC #955)
Passed · 21-13
Nay
LD299 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Support Maine's Agricultural and Forestry Sectors and Expand Grant Eligibility Under the Farmers Drought Resilience Program Fund (Adopt Senate Amendment (s-717) To Committee Amendment RC #958)
Failed · 17-17
Yea
LD299 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Support Maine's Agricultural and Forestry Sectors and Expand Grant Eligibility Under the Farmers Drought Resilience Program Fund (Passage To Be Engrossed As Amended RC #959)
Passed · 29-6
Yea
LD299 · 2026-04-14
An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Support Maine's Agricultural and Forestry Sectors and Expand Grant Eligibility Under the Farmers Drought Resilience Program Fund (Enactment-bond Issue RC #960)
Passed · 23-10
Yea
LD785 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Amend Certain Tax Laws Regarding the Wabanaki Nations (Accept Report 'a' Ought To Pass As Amended RC #944)
Passed · 22-11
Nay
LD2173 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Update the Laws Regarding Housing Developments and Accessory Dwelling Units (Accept Report RC #942)
Passed · 20-13
Nay
LD713 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Exclude Data Centers from the Business Equipment Tax Exemption and the Dirigo Business Incentives Program and to Require the Department of Economic and Community Development to Study Financial Incentives for Data Centers (Indefinitely Postpone RC #949)
Failed · 14-20
Yea
LD1803 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Optometric Practice (Insist RC #948)
Passed · 30-4
Yea
LD2155 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Exempt, for Licenses Issued Prior to December 21, 2025, Persons Holding a Majority Ownership Interest from the Restriction on the Number of Manufacturing Facility Licenses and On-premises Retail Licenses (Enactment RC #946)
Passed · 20-14
Nay
LD2226 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Amend the Essential Programs and Services School Funding Formula (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #947)
Passed · 28-6
Yea
LD579 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Include Certain Nurses Under the 1998 Special Plan for Retirement (Recede And Concur RC #950)
Passed · 35-0
Yea
LD2230 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Invest in the Construction of Industrialized Housing (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #943)
Passed · 20-13
Nay
LD2220 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Establish the Maine Home Energy Navigator and Coaching Resource Hub (Enactment RC #945)
Passed · 20-14
Nay
LD1847 · 2026-04-13
An Act to Institute Testing and Tracking of Medical Use Cannabis and Cannabis Products Similar to Adult Use Cannabis and Cannabis Products, Dedicate a Portion of the Adult Use Cannabis Sales and Excise Tax to Medical Use Cannabis Programs and Create a Study Group (Accept Report 'b' Ought To Pass As Amended RC #951)
Passed · 20-15
Yea
LD208 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Eliminate the 72-hour Waiting Period on Firearm Purchases (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #934)
Failed · 17-18
Nay
LD208 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Eliminate the 72-hour Waiting Period on Firearm Purchases (Accept Minority Ought To Pass Report RC #935)
Passed · 18-17
Yea
LD1230 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Abolish the 72-hour Waiting Period for a Gun Purchase (Accept Majority Ought Not To Pass Report RC #938)
Passed · 20-15
Nay
LD555 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Create a Separate Department of Child and Family Services (Accept Majority Ought Not To Pass Report RC #928)
Failed · 12-23
Nay
LD1647 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Amend the Maine Human Rights Act to Provide Additional Remedies for Educational Discrimination (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #933)
Passed · 21-13
Nay
LD2212 · 2026-04-09
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Enactment RC #927)
Passed · 18-16
Nay
LD1821 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Ensure Responsible Business Practices by Licensed Firearms Dealers (Accept Majority Ought Not To Pass Report RC #939)
Passed · 23-12
Yea
LD1009 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Restore Full Civil Rights to Possess Firearms to Persons Previously Convicted of Certain Nonviolent Felonies (Accept Majority Ought Not To Pass Report RC #936)
Failed · 17-18
Nay
LD1009 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Restore Full Civil Rights to Possess Firearms to Persons Previously Convicted of Certain Nonviolent Felonies (Accept Minority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #937)
Passed · 20-15
Yea
LD2150 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Enhance Notice to Individuals Whose Access to State Property Has Been Restricted (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #931)
Passed · 21-13
Nay
LD1457 · 2026-04-09
Resolve, to Allow the Maine Turnpike Authority to Conduct a Pilot Program to Implement Automated Speed Control Systems in Highway Work Zones (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #930)
Failed · 11-24
Yea
LD1803 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Optometric Practice (Accept Minority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #929)
Failed · 9-26
Nay
LD2162 · 2026-04-09
An Act to Regulate and Prevent Children's Access to Artificial Intelligence Chatbots with Human-like Features and Social Artificial Intelligence Companions (Accept Report 'a' Ought To Pass As Amended RC #932)
Passed · 20-14
Nay
LD1917 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Allow the Sealing of Criminal History Record Information Related to Convictions for Conduct That Is No Longer a Crime in the State and to Clarify Dissemination of Sealed Criminal History Record Information to the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #912)
Passed · 21-14
Nay
LD1893 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Establish an Independent Office of the Child Advocate (Accept Report RC #909)
Passed · 35-0
Yea
LD2054 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Clarify the Laws Regarding Moose Hunting Permits for Hunting Outfitters (Commit RC #914)
Passed · 19-16
Nay
LD1902 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Support Nonprofit Organizations by Authorizing the Operation of Electronic Lucky Seven Devices and Similar Sealed Ticket Games (Accept Majority Ought Not To Pass Report RC #905)
Passed · 19-16
Yea
LD307 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Establish the Maine Data Center Coordination Council and Place a Temporary Limitation on Certain Data Centers (Accept Report 'a' Ought To Pass As Amended RC #906)
Passed · 21-14
Nay
LD2231 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Support Owners of Manufactured Housing, Mobile Homes and Tiny Homes (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #915)
Passed · 20-14
Nay
LD2106 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Limit Consent for Entry into Nonpublic Areas of and to Limit Access to Protected Records Maintained by Certain Public Entities (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #917)
Passed · 20-14
Nay
LD2018 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Amend the Requirements Governing Self-insurance Plans in the Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Program (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #918)
Passed · 19-15
Nay
LD2212 · 2026-04-08
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #919)
Passed · 19-15
Nay
LD2212 · 2026-04-08
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Indefinitely Postpone RC #920)
Passed · 20-14
Nay
LD2212 · 2026-04-08
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Indefinitely Postpone RC #921)
Passed · 19-15
Nay
LD2212 · 2026-04-08
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Table Until Later RC #922)
Failed · 14-20
Yea
LD2212 · 2026-04-08
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Indefinitely Postpone RC #924)
Passed · 20-14
Nay
LD2212 · 2026-04-08
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Indefinitely Postpone RC #925)
Passed · 18-16
Nay
LD2212 · 2026-04-08
An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027 (Passage To Be Engrossed As Amended RC #926)
Passed · 18-16
Nay
LD1918 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Clarify the Criminal History Record Information Act with Respect to Criminal Charges Dismissed as the Result of a Plea Agreement and to Clarify Dissemination of Sealed Criminal History Record Information to the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #913)
Passed · 21-14
Nay
LD2155 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Exempt, for Licenses Issued Prior to December 21, 2025, Persons Holding a Majority Ownership Interest from the Restriction on the Number of Manufacturing Facility Licenses and On-premises Retail Licenses (Recede RC #910)
Passed · 25-10
Nay
LD2155 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Exempt, for Licenses Issued Prior to December 21, 2025, Persons Holding a Majority Ownership Interest from the Restriction on the Number of Manufacturing Facility Licenses and On-premises Retail Licenses (Adopt Senate Amendment (s-633) To Committee Amendment RC #911)
Passed · 19-16
Nay
LD2217 · 2026-04-08
An Act Related to the Electronic Tagging of Deer (Recede And Concur RC #916)
Failed · 12-23
Nay
LD1941 · 2026-04-08
Resolve, Establishing the Commission to Examine the Intersection of Parole and Current Sentencing Practices (Accept Report 'c' Ought To Pass As Amended RC #907)
Passed · 21-14
Nay
LD1941 · 2026-04-08
Resolve, Establishing the Commission to Examine the Intersection of Parole and Current Sentencing Practices (Passage To Be Engrossed As Amended RC #908)
Passed · 20-15
Nay
LD2165 · 2026-04-08
An Act to Change Supervisory Authority over the Capitol Police (Recede And Concur RC #904)
Failed · 11-22
Absent
LD2100 · 2026-04-07
An Act to Update the Laws Regarding Fuel Gas Detector Requirements (Recede And Concur RC #897)
Failed · 17-14
Nay
LD2089 · 2026-04-07
An Act to Amend the Law Governing Agricultural Labor Housing Standards (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #903)
Failed · 15-19
Nay
LD2217 · 2026-04-07
An Act Related to the Electronic Tagging of Deer (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #899)
Failed · 4-26
Nay
LD2208 · 2026-04-07
An Act to Offset Federal Cuts to Health Insurance for Certain Maine Families and Seniors (Accept Majority Ought To Pass As Amended Report RC #902)
Passed · 20-14
Nay
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 775 total roll-call votes this session).
Voting data provided by LegiScan, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
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