AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee voted unanimously Monday to advance a bill introduced by Rep. Scott Landry, D-Farmington, that will make changes to the states any-deer hunting permit system. The vote was 13-0.
AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee voted on Wednesday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Laura Supica, D-Bangor, that would improve the states tracking system for adult use marijuana products.
Currently, Maine's adult use regulations call for a tracking "tag" to be placed on every plant or, in the case of marijuana products, every "item." This system creates significant costs for small businesses operating in this industry.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Grayson Lookner, D-Portland, introduced legislation Friday to prevent the use of prone and supine restraints, chemical sprays and electroshock devices on juveniles in Maine's correctional facilities before the Maine Legislatures Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.
AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, aimed at supporting safe drinking water in Maine.
AUGUSTA - Governor Janet Mills delivered her State of the State address in-person tonight before a Joint Convention of the State Legislature in the House Chamber. The Presiding Officers released the following statements:
AUGUSTA - Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, has been appointed to serve as House chair of the Legislature's Government Oversight Committee (GOC). The appointment went into effect on Thursday by order of Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford. Stover is replacing Rep. Genevieve McDonald, D-Stonington, who is stepping down from serving on the committee.
AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature's Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee gave bipartisan support on Wednesday for LD 1914, a bill that would allow small retail businesses with at least two locations to transfer wine between their stores more easily. The proposal is sponsored by Rep. Edward Crockett, D-Portland.
AUGUSTA - In a bipartisan vote, the Legislature's Judiciary Committee on Tuesday advanced a bill from Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, to limit liability exemptions for electric utilities like Central Maine Power (CMP) when their negligence of overhead high-voltage lines contributes to personal injury or damage to facilities. Most other businesses, including gas utilities, do not currently share the same exemption regarding their infrastructure.
AUGUSTA - A proposal by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, aims to preserve Maine's tobacco settlement funds, combat tobacco use and take steps to promote equity in public health. The bill was introduced before the Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday.
AUGUSTA - The Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry voted unanimously, of those present, to advance a bill to support Maine's ecological reserve system, sponsored by Rep. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, on Tuesday.
