• Read more about Graham accepted to the NCSL Child Welfare Fellows Academy

AUGUSTA - Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth, has been accepted into the National Conference of State Legislature's (NCSL) Child Welfare Fellows Academy for the June 2023 session.

The program provides legislators and legislative staff a rare opportunity to focus intensively on the prevention of child maltreatment in state child welfare systems. Fellows will engage in thoughtful policy discussions, learn from nationally recognized experts, connect with peers from other states and receive technical assistance from NCSL.

• Read more about Committee advances Lookner bill to ensure megayacht owners pay fair share

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Transportation advanced legislation sponsored by Rep. Grayson Lookner, D-Portland, that would require any vessel that meets the definition of megayacht to pay an impact fee of $10 per foot of length over 150 feet each day, up to 30 consecutive days, when docking in Maine. The funds generated will be invested into Maine's working waterfront and historic coastal communities.

• Read more about House advances Roeder bill to protect workers from employer surveillance

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted Tuesday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Amy Roeder, D-Bangor, that would prohibit employer surveillance, unless the surveillance is strictly necessary for employee health and safety or necessary for security.

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

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted Tuesday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Dan Sayre, D-Kennebunk, that would study water as a resource in Maine.

• Read more about Lawmakers advance O'Neil proposal to strengthen public transit in Maine

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Transportation Committee voted Wednesday to advance a measure by Rep. Maggie O'Neil, D-Saco, that would strengthen Maine's public transit system statewide by improving planning and expanding stakeholder input. The vote was unanimous among those present.

• Read more about Legislature advances Geiger bill to study publicly funded early child care

AUGUSTA - The Legislature gave initial approval Tuesday to a bill sponsored by Rep. Valli Geiger, D-Rockland, which would direct the Maine Department of Education to identify the critical components of the Educare model for publicly funded early child care and education programs and identify necessary resources and best practices for statewide implementation.

• Read more about Committee advances Landry bill to conserve farmland, wildlife habitat to offset impact of large-scale energy developments

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee voted Wednesday to advance a measure by Rep. Scott Landry, D-Farmington, to balance Maine's renewable energy development goals with efforts to conserve the state's valuable farmland, soils, and fish and wildlife habitat. The vote was 10-2 with one committee member absent.

• Read more about Sen. Daughtry, Rep. Cloutier to unveil legislation to implement a statewide paid family and medical leave program

AUGUSTA - Sen. Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, and Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, will hold a press conference on Thursday, May 25 to unveil legislation that would implement a statewide paid family and medical leave benefits program in Maine. The press conference will begin at 12 p.m. in the courtyard between the State House and the Cross Building.

• Read more about Sen. Daughtry, Rep. Cloutier to unveil legislation to implement a statewide paid family and medical leave program

AUGUSTA - Sen. Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, and Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, will hold a press conference on Thursday, May 25 to unveil legislation that would implement a statewide paid family and medical leave benefits program in Maine. The press conference will begin at 12 p.m. in the courtyard between the State House and the Cross Building.

• Read more about Bell introduces bill to authorize recreational use of local rail corridor

AUGUSTA - Rep. Art Bell, D-Yarmouth, introduced legislation last week at a public hearing before the Legislature's Transportation Committee that would authorize recreational use of the Berlin Subdivision Rail Corridor that runs from Portland to Auburn.