AUGUSTA - The Maine House gave initial approval Wednesday to a proposal by Rep. Genevieve McDonald, D-Stonington, that would prevent the spread of preventable infections by allowing syringe exchange programs to provide Mainers affected by substance use disorder with additional sterile supplies. The vote was 77-54.
Rep. Dave McCrea, D-Fort Fairfield, and Fran Gustin of Fort Fairfield join U.S. Congressman Jared Golden at the 2022 Can-Am Sled Dog Race in Fort Kent. The internationally renowned race took a hiatus last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and made its debut last week.
AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Judiciary Committee advanced a bill on Tuesday from Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, aimed at protecting patients rights to access health care.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Raegan LaRochelle, D-Augusta, introduced a measure Tuesday that would help eligible households in Maine access heating assistance from existing funds in Maine State Housing Authority's Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
AUGUSTA - Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, presented LD 856, An Act To Balance Renewable Energy Development with Natural and Working Lands Conservation, before the Legislature's Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee on Tuesday.
AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously, of those present, to advance LD 1722, a proposal to utilize Maine's opioid settlement funds to support opioid and substance use services, sponsored by Rep. Charlotte Warren, D-Hallowell.
AUGUSTA - A bill from Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford intended to grow affordable housing options in Maine will receive a public hearing before the Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee today at 10:00. The hearing will be streamed live on the Committee's Youtube channel.
AUGUSTA - In a tripartisan vote, the Legislature's Judiciary Committee advanced a bill on Wednesday from Rep. Maggie O'Neil, D-Saco, aimed at protecting the right to privacy by regulating corporate collection and use of biometric identifiers.
AUGUSTA - Today, Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford and members of the Legislative Council voted to make face masks optional in the State House in response to declining hospitalization rates and updated guidance from the Maine CDC. The vote was unanimous of members present. The new policy takes effect Monday, March 7.
AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources voted unanimously, of those present, to support funding for the Maine Climate Corps, a program proposed in legislation sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, that gained committee support last year.
