• Read more about Legislature enacts Berry bill to create Pine Tree Power, replace CMP and Versant in bipartisan vote

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature has enacted a historic bill Wednesday sponsored by Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, to provide voters with the opportunity to replace Central Maine Power and Versant with the Pine Tree Power Company, a consumer-owned electric utility.

LD 1708 was enacted "under the hammer" in the House and by an 18-14 vote in the Senate. Earlier recorded votes in the House earned support from Republican, Independent and Democratic lawmakers.

• Read more about Legislature sends strong bipartisan budget to the governor's desk

AUGUSTA - Today, the Maine Legislature voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strong, responsible bipartisan budget that includes 55 percent state funding for education, a full restoration to revenue sharing by the end of the Fiscal Year 2023, and critical funding for senior living facilities and direct care workers. The vote was 123-23 in the House and 32-2 in the Maine Senate.

• Read more about Fay bill to improve fairness in auto insurance becomes law

AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, to make auto insurance companies use appropriate comparisons when determining payouts became law last week.

• Read more about Speaker Fecteau's bill to expand preventative dental care to 217,000 Mainers voted into budget

AUGUSTA - On Wednesday, the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee voted to fund a bill from House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford. The bill shifts Maine’s reliance on emergency-only dental coverage to a preventative dental care model to improve health outcomes and save the state money over time.

• Read more about AFA committee reaches unanimous, bipartisan budget agreement

AUGUSTA - Today, the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee reached a unanimous, bipartisan agreement on the budget. The proposal will go before the full Legislature on Wednesday, June 30 for a vote.

• Read more about Berry bill to stop winter disconnection threats signed into law

AUGUSTA - Rep. Seth Berry's bill to ban misleading winter electricity disconnection threats as part of the collections process was signed into law Thursday.

• Read more about McCrea bill to establish no-knock warrant policies for Maine law enforcement agencies signed into law

AUGUSTA - A measure to require law enforcement agencies to adopt policies regarding the execution of unannounced search warrants, LD 1043, sponsored by Rep. David McCrea, D-Fort Fairfield, was signed into law this week by Gov. Janet Mills.

• Read more about Hepler bill to ensure rights and protections for individuals with brain injuries becomes law

AUGUSTA - A measure by Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, to improve the rights and protections for individuals with acquired brain injuries became law this week.

Hepler's bill, LD 559, would ensure that people with "acquired brain injuries" receive the same rights as people with intellectual disabilities or autism by adding "acquired brain injury" to the existing statutes concerning rights for those individuals.

• Read more about Grohoski bill to expand tenant representation on nonprofit housing boards signed into law

AUGUSTA - A measure to require tenant representation on nonprofit housing corporation boards of directors, LD 1606, sponsored by Rep. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, was signed into law Monday by Gov. Janet Mills.

• Read more about Perry bill to allow for indoor entry areas within retail marijuana stores signed into law

AUGUSTA - A measure to allow for controlled, indoor entry areas inside marijuana retail stores, sponsored by Rep. Joe Perry, D-Bangor, was signed into law Monday by Gov. Janet Mills.

"The bill provides a commonsense approach that allows marijuana businesses to have a controlled space directly inside their store where the identification of a purchaser can be verified while awaiting entry," said Perry. "Customers will no longer need to wait on sidewalks and in parking lots during severe weather, and businesses are able to maintain their safety and security."