• Read more about Gere introduces bill to expand sales tax exemption for nonprofit housing developers

AUGUSTA - Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunkport, presented LD 1732, An Act To Amend the Sales Tax Exemption for Nonprofit Housing Development Organizations, before the Legislature's Taxation Committee on Tuesday. The bill would expand the exemption to allow nonprofit developers to serve households with incomes up to 120% of the area median income, an increase from the current threshold of 80%, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

• Read more about Committee approves Zeigler bill to address "forever chemicals" entering Penobscot River

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted unanimously on Monday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Paige Zeigler, D-Montville, that would address per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) pollution at Juniper Ridge, a landfill owned by the State of Maine.

• Read more about Lawmakers advance Gramlich proposal to increase behavioral health support for first responders

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted Monday to advance a proposal by Rep. Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, to increase behavioral health support for Maines first responders. The vote was 6-5 with two members absent.

• Read more about Energy Committee advances Berry's bill to protect public safety facilities from sudden utility service disconnection

AUGUSTA - In a 10-2 vote, a bipartisan majority of the Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee voted last week to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, that would protect public safety facilities from sudden utility service disconnection.

• Read more about Williams introduces bill to clarify rulemaking parameters for the Office of Marijuana Policy

AUGUSTA - Rep. Lynne Williams, D-Bar Harbor, presented LD 1928, An Act To Update and Clarify the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act and Provide for Greater Transparency, before the Legislature's Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee on Monday.

The bill would clarify new rulemaking parameters for the Office of Marijuana Policy (OMP) and define the role of the Legislature in the rulemaking process.

• Read more about Legislative committee advances Kessler bill to increase housing availability and affordability through vacancy impact fee

AUGUSTA - A legislative committee voted on Thursday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Chris Kessler, D-South Portland, aimed at improving housing availability and affordability.

• Read more about Sylvester introduces measure to support Maine emergency responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder

AUGUSTA - Rep. Mike Sylvester, D-Portland, introduced legislation Monday before the Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee that would support Maines law enforcement officers, corrections officers, E-9-1-1 dispatchers, firefighters and emergency medical services providers diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

• Read more about Municipal leaders voice support for bill to combat browntail moths

AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, LD 1929, An Act To Provide Assistance to Areas Severely Infested with Browntail Moths, received supportive testimony from municipal leaders during a public hearing on Tuesday before the Legislature's Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

• Read more about Stover introduces bill to support Maine's fixed gear fishing industry

AUGUSTA - Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, presented LD 1898, An Act to Address the Economic Impact of Federal Clotures on Maines Fixed Gear Fishing Industry, before the Legislature's Marine Resources Committee on Tuesday.

• Read more about Evans introduces bill to strengthen job growth in Maine's forestry industry

AUGUSTA - Rep. Richard Evans, D-Dover Foxcroft, introduced legislation Tuesday to encourage job growth within Maine's forestry industry through tax incentives for eligible businesses. LD 1919 would enable forest products businesses that hire new employees to be eligible for reimbursement of labor, training and equipment costs.