• Read more about Terry introduces bill to expand the Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit

AUGUSTA - Rep. Mo Terry, D-Gorham, legislation Tuesday that would expand the Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (HTC) and establish a weatherization tax credit.

Maine's current HTC offers a 25% refundable credit for certified commercial rehabilitation projects. For projects that include affordable housing, there is an additional 5% tax credit. The program also offers a small project credit of $50,000 to $250,000 for qualified rehabilitation expenses.

• Read more about House approves Gramlich state butterfly bill after lawmakers hear from Loranger Middle School students

AUGUSTA - The Maine House gave final approval Tuesday to a measure from Rep. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, that would name the Pink-edged Sulphur the state butterfly. The bill was approved "under the hammer," or by unanimous consent.

Gramlich introduced the bill after she was contacted by students Oscar Stanton and Tate Graham last fall. The two fifth-graders at Loranger Middle School wrote to suggest the Legislature name a state butterfly.

• Read more about House enacts Stover bill to boost funding for Maine sexual assault services

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted Tuesday to enact legislation sponsored by Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, that would provide funding to integrate trained clinical staff into sexual assault support centers to ensure the highest quality of care.

An estimated one in five Mainers will experience sexual assault at some point in their lifetime, which can lead to serious psychological, physical and emotional trauma.

• Read more about House enacts Doudera bill to strengthen qualifications of evaluators in child custody cases

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted Tuesday to enact legislation sponsored by Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, that would require expert witnesses in child custody cases to meet training standards and demonstrate knowledge of domestic abuse and child resilience, safety and security.

• Read more about House enacts measure to create sales tax exemption for diapers

AUGUSTA - The Maine House voted unanimously Tuesday to enact legislation that would create a sales tax exemption for diapers. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Kelly Noonan Murphy, D-Scarborough.

Under the amended proposal, all diapers and diaper accessories, such as covers and pins, would receive the exemption.

• Read more about House advances measure to require removing snow and ice from vehicles before operating on public roads

AUGUSTA - The Maine House unanimously voted Tuesday to advance LD 522, An Act to Require That Motor Vehicles Be Clear of Snow When Operated on Public Ways. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Bruce White, D-Waterville.

• Read more about Sayre introduces bill to study the role of water in the state

AUGUSTA - Rep. Dan Sayre, D-Kennebunk, introduced a bill Monday before the Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee that would study water as a resource in Maine.

• Read more about Local lawmakers welcome Brunswick High School civics classes to State House

Reps. Poppy Arford, D-Brunswick, Dan Ankeles, D-Brunswick, and Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell, welcomed students from Brunswick High School's rights and responsibilities of citizenship and AP government classes to the State House on Tuesday. The classes are taught by Ben Clark and Connor Lynch.

Contact:

Brian Lee [Arford, Ankeles, Golek], c. 305-965-2744

• Read more about Maine legislators attend White House celebration honoring end of Ramadan

AUGUSTA - Rep. Deqa Dhalac, D-South Portland, and Rep. Ambureen Rana, D-Bangor, joined fellow Muslim-American elected officials and members of the Biden Administration at the White House last week for Eid al-Fitr, a celebration marking the end of Ramadan.

• Read more about Mathieson introduces bill to increase general assistance to municipalities

AUGUSTA - Rep. Kristi Mathieson, D-Kittery, introduced legislation on Friday at a public hearing before the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee that would make adjustments to Maine's general assistance program.