• Read more about House enacts bill to expand real estate transfer tax exemptions

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives unanimously voted to enact a proposal on Thursday sponsored by Rep. Tavis Hasenfus, D-Readfield, to expand the list of persons exempt from the real estate transfer tax.

"Expanding this exemption will bring equity to blended families and extended family units," said Hasenfus. "This will better implement the existing policy of intra-family real estate transactions."

• Read more about Committee unanimously approves Salisbury bill to support access to emergency health care

AUGUSTA - The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services voted Thursday to advance a bill from Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, that would support Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers that offer community paramedicine services. The vote was 11-0, among members present, with two members still to vote.

• Read more about We must resist efforts to repeal Maine's Good Samaritan Law

Last year, the Legislature passed the strongest Good Samaritan Law in the nation, and we did it with bipartisan support. This law ensures that a person who calls for medical help for a drug overdose is protected from criminal charges for drug-related crimes.

• Read more about Legislature honors Lincoln County legislative scholarship recipient

Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, and fellow lawmakers welcomed Alice Skiff of Newcastle and her mother to the State House Thursday. Alice was awarded the 2023 Legislative Memorial Scholarship for Lincoln County.

Contact:

Brian Lee [Crafts, Rielly] c. 305-965-2744
John Bott [Javner], 207-287-2919

Front, left to right: Rep. Lydia Crafts, House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, Alice Skiff and Linda Skiff.

• Read more about Committee supports Rana bill to collect sexual orientation and gender identity data in health care settings

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted with unanimous support, of those present, on legislation sponsored by Rep. Ambureen Rana, D-Bangor, that would require health care facilities to collect patient data related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

• Read more about Camden legislative scholarship winner honored by lawmakers

Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, and fellow lawmakers welcomed Anna Carpenter of Camden and her parents to the State House Thursday. Carpenter was awarded the 2023 Legislative Memorial Scholarship for Knox County.

Contact:

Brian Lee [Doudera, Rielly], c. 305-965-2744
John Bott [Javner], 207-287-2919

Front, left to right: Rep. Vicki Doudera, House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, Anna Carpenter, Judith Carpenter and Jack Carpenter.

• Read more about Committee approves Kessler bill to increase notice period for certain rent increases

AUGUSTA - A majority of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee voted on Wednesday to move forward LD 701, An Act to Increase the Notice Period for Rent Increases. The vote was 9-3 in favor with two members absent. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Chris Kessler, D-South Portland.

• Read more about Committee supports Cloutier bill to expand health care workforce

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services (HCIFS) Committee voted unanimously, of those present, on Wednesday to advance legislation that would expand Maine's health care workforce, sponsored by Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston.

• Read more about Salisbury introduces bill to establish a school meal equipment fund

AUGUSTA - Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, introduced legislation Wednesday before the Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee that would establish a fund to support the purchase of badly needed school kitchen and cafeteria equipment.

• Read more about Doudera bill to strengthen the qualifications of evaluators in family court cases receives unanimous, bipartisan committee support

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Judiciary Committee voted unanimously last week to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, that would require expert witnesses in child custody cases to have a certain level of training in domestic abuse and child resilience, safety and security.