AUGUSTA - Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, introduced legislation Tuesday before the Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Businesses Committee that would better protect Maine consumers by requiring electronics manufacturers to provide information about how fixable their products are through a repairability score.
AUGUSTA - On Wednesday, a bill from Rep. Laura Supica, D-Bangor, LD 1777, had a public hearing before the Legislature's Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee. The bill would help establish greater economic opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations by authorizing each federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or band in Maine to operate internet gaming, opening up new a revenue stream.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Dan Ankeles, D-Brunswick, will serve as a member of the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee in the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature. He was appointed to the committee by Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland.
The committee oversees the state budget process and bond proposals.
RALEIGH, N.C. - Rep. Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, recently joined fellow policymakers and national experts on so-called "forever chemicals" for a panel discussion hosted by the Council of State Governments. The organization invited Gramlich to speak at their annual conference to highlight her work in the Legislature to limit environmental and public health impacts of PFAS.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Poppy Arford, D-Brunswick, has been named House chair of a legislative panel tasked with reviewing the impact of so-called "facility fees," which are fees that hospitals and health care providers add to patient bills in addition to their professional fees for services provided.
The Task Force to Evaluate the Impact of Facility Fees on Patients held its first meeting at the State House on Friday, Dec. 1.
AUGUSTA - The Legislative Council recently approved a bill from Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, that would increase the nightly rate that the state pays low-barrier shelters. The bill would also direct the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to pursue a waiver to access federal Medicaid funds to serve unhoused people with substance use disorders, mental health disorders and older or disabled people with critical medical needs.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, received the Advocate of the Year award from the Home Care and Hospice Alliance of Maine on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at the Blaine House for her extensive work to enhance the well-being, safety and care of older Mainers.
AUGUSTA - The Legislative Council recently voted to advance a bill from Rep. Ron Russell, D-Verona Island, that would provide property tax relief to Mainers by expanding the existing Property Tax Fairness Credit.
AUGUSTA - The Legislative Council recently approved a bill from Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, that would make it easier for more MaineCare members to have a loved one accompany them to a medical appointment.
AUGUSTA - The Legislative Council recently approved a bill from Rep. Gerry Runte, D-York, that would address ratepayer dissatisfaction by enhancing performance-based ratemaking (PBR) for Maine's electric utilities, adding incentives or penalties for utilities that meet or fail to meet performance goals established by state regulators.
