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.
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.
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.
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.
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.