• Read more about State champion Winthrop field hockey team visits State House

Rep. Tavis Hasenfus, D-Readfield, and Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Kennebec, welcome the Winthrop High School field hockey team to the State House Wednesday.

The team was recognized by the entire House and Senate for winning the 2021 Class C State Championship.

Hasenfus is serving his first term in the Maine House and serves on the Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee. He represents Readfield, Winthrop and part of Monmouth.

• Read more about House advances Matlack bill to protect property tax payers

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval Wednesday to a bill from Rep. Ann Matlack, D-St. George, which will clarify state law for municipal assessors and property owners and improve the fairness of valuations across the state.

• Read more about Berry introduces bill to restrict foreign ownership of Maine utilities

AUGUSTA - Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, presented LD 697, An Act To Enhance the Energy Security of Maine Residents, before the Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee on Tuesday.

The bill as amended would require the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to deny any future purchase of a Maine utility by a foreign entity if potential ownership jeopardizes reliability, customer privacy and safety, regulatory capacity or the states economy.

• Read more about Maine House advances bill to protect election integrity

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval Wednesday to a bill from Rep. Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth, that would safeguard Maine's elections against ballot and voting equipment interference. The vote was 76-55.

• Read more about Cuddy introduces bill to support registered apprenticeships in Maine

AUGUSTA - Rep. Scott Cuddy, D-Winterport, presented legislation to increase financial support for the Maine Apprenticeship Program before the Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee on Tuesday. As amended, LD 177 would allocate an additional $195,000 to the Maine Apprenticeship Program, specifically for training reimbursements. This would bring the total spent on training reimbursements to $200,000 per year.

• Read more about House gives initial approval to McDonald bill to expand access to syringe exchange services

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.

• Read more about McCrea joins Congressman Golden at the 2022 Can-Am

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.

• Read more about Judiciary Committee advances McCreight bill to protect patients' access to health care

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.

• Read more about LaRochelle introduces bill to improve heating assistance program

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).

• Read more about Berry introduces bill to support clean energy development while protecting Maine's natural resources

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.