Rielly introduces slate of working waterfront measures, committees advance them
AUGUSTA – On Thursday, Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, introduced a bill that would strengthen working waterfronts against aquaculture nuisance complaints. Additionally, four working waterfront measures sponsored by Rielly underwent work sessions and were advanced by their respective committees.
LD 1595 would provide the same protections to the aquaculture sector that commercial fishermen have under current Maine statute regarding nuisance complaints.
Rep. Sayre and Rep. Gere applaud Community Action Grant funding for Kennebunk and Kennebunkport
AUGUSTA – On May 1, the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future announced that the towns of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport have been selected as recipients of Community Action Grant awards from the Community Resilience Partnership.
Committee advances Eaton bill to support scallop farming industry
AUGUSTA – On Thursday, May 8, the Legislature’s Marine Resources Committee unanimously voted to support a bill sponsored by Rep. Holly Eaton, D-Deer Isle, to create a pilot program for the testing of biotoxins in cultured scallops.
Committee advances emergency Milliken bills to allow for local dam ownership
AUGUSTA – The Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee unanimously advanced two bills with bipartisan support on Wednesday sponsored by Rep. Nina Milliken, D-Blue Hill, that would allow for the establishment of quasi-municipal entities to take over two local dams that are in the process of being abandoned, which will preserve Toddy Pond and Alamoosook Lake.
Committee advances Kuhn bill to protect Maine consumers by promoting transparency in use of AI technology
AUGUSTA – On Thursday, a measure sponsored by Rep. Amy Kuhn, D-Falmouth, that would provide more transparency for Maine consumers interacting with online chatbots, utilizing artificial intelligence, was unanimously passed out of the Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee.
Rep. Terry applauds Community Action Grant funding for Gorham
AUGUSTA – On May 1, the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future announced that the Town of Gorham has been selected as a recipient of a Community Action Grant award from the Community Resilience Partnership.
Gorham will receive an award of $56,077 to retrofit municipal buildings with LED lighting, which will improve energy efficiency and save local taxpayers money by lowering long-term costs.
Committee unanimously advances Salisbury’s bill to protect mental health services for emergency responders
AUGUSTA – A bill sponsored by Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, which would expand patient confidentiality to emergency responders engaging in critical incident stress management peer support groups, received unanimous support from the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on May 1.
Webb bill to strengthen Maine's trade workforce receives committee support
AUGUSTA – The Legislature’s Labor Committee voted to advance a measure sponsored by Rep. Kilton Webb, D-Durham, that would strengthen Maine's pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs. The committee vote was 5-2, of those present.