AUGUSTA – On Monday, Gov. Janet Mills signed into law a bill sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D- Westbrook, that establishes a limited-purpose aquaculture license that allows for nursery and husbandry activities in coastal waters. It also streamlines and modernizes the process for amending aquaculture leases via recommendations from the Department of Marine Resources’ Aquaculture Advisory Council. 

AUGUSTA – A measure by Assistant House Majority Leader Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, that creates a state advocate for children is now law. Gov. Janet Mills signed the measure Thursday.

LD 1893 establishes an independent Office of the Child Advocate in state government. Once operational, the office will receive and investigate complaints, share information with the public, and advise the governor and state lawmakers on how to improve services and protections for children.

After many long days and nights at the State House, I’m proud to report that at the beginning of April we accomplished one of our biggest goals: passing a supplemental budget that delivers for Maine’s working families. 

It’s often said that budgets are a reflection of our values. We heard from Mainers across the state, including right here in Gorham, who told us what this budget should look like – protecting access to critical services, providing property tax relief, and offsetting the rising costs of gas, electricity and groceries. 

AUGUSTA – A bill from Assistant House Majority Leader Rep. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, that will improve access to oral health care for Maine children is now law. Gov. Janet Mills signed the measure on Thursday. 

AUGUSTA – Today, the Maine House and Senate gave final approval to a bill sponsored by Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, that would institute a temporary pause on the construction of data centers and create the Maine Data Center Coordination Council to assist towns with future implementation.  

AUGUSTA – A bill to provide funding for the redevelopment of the former Island Nursing Home, now known as HomePort, into affordable senior housing, sponsored by Rep. Holly Eaton, D-Deer Isle, received approval from the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and was enacted in the House and Senate Monday.

"Senior housing in Hancock County is desperately needed,” said Eaton. “This effort has been in the works for well over a year, and the funding in this bill will go a long way to support this project.”

AUGUSTA – Yesterday, Gov. Janet Mills signed legislation sponsored by Rep. Kristi Mathieson, D-Kittery, that will protect the stability of Maine’s paid family and medical leave (PFML) program by prohibiting the creation of private group trusts.  

AUGUSTA – Midcoast area lawmakers recently welcomed the Independence Association to the State House in honor of the organization’s 60th anniversary. 

AUGUSTA – The Maine House and Senate voted unanimously on Wednesday to advance a measure by Assistant House Majority Leader Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, that would create a state advocate for children. The vote was 148-0 in the House and 35-0 in the Senate.

AUGUSTA – Today, the Maine House of Representatives advanced legislation sponsored by Rep. Ellie Sato, D-Gorham, that will help uphold due process in Maine by taking steps to protect residents from unchecked immigration enforcement. The vote was 77-70.