• Read more about Maine lawmakers send FCC letter urging support for Maine's position defending law to curb unfair cable billing practices

AUGUSTA - A bipartisan group of 50 Maine lawmakers has written to the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) urging commissioners to actively support Maine's efforts to defend in court a state law requiring cable providers to pro-rate charges when a customer disconnects service.

The commonsense consumer protection measure is being challenged in federal court by cable conglomerate Charter-Spectrum, known in Maine as Spectrum, and is now pending before the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

• Read more about Berry issues statement on ruling supporting community-run television stations

AUGUSTA - Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, House chair of the Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, issued the following statement in response to the United States First Circuit Court of Appeals decision upholding legislation strengthening protections for community access channels:

• Read more about Supica praises funding of affordable housing projects, support for emergency shelters

AUGUSTA - Rep. Laura Supica, D-Bangor, the sponsor of legislation to address homelessness, applauds the funding of major efforts to expand affordable housing and support emergency shelters across the state.

• Read more about Governor signs Pierce bill to implement online voter registration

AUGUSTA - A measure by Rep. Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth, that will allow eligible Mainers to register to vote using a secure online portal is now law.

• Read more about New law will help survivors of domestic violence access justice

AUGUSTA - A new law by Rep. Maggie O'Neil, D-Saco, will help survivors of domestic violence access justice by bringing the statute of limitations for assault, battery and false imprisonment into line with the limit on bringing other civil claims. The change will allow more time for survivors to bring a civil claim.

• Read more about Fay testifies before Congress on long-term care workforce issues

AUGUSTA - Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, testified before the U.S. Congress on long-term workforce issues Tuesday. In her testimony, Fay discussed the urgency of addressing this workforce shortage and outlined ways to improve the recruitment, retention, training and professional development of long-term care workers. She spoke during a joint subcommittee hearing with the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee and the Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee.

• Read more about Governor signs Mathieson bill to update water district charter

AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Kristi Mathieson, D-Kittery, to repeal and replace the charter of the Kittery Water District was ceremonially signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills Monday. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers of the Legislature.

LD 1542 expands the district's corporate limits to include all of Kittery, Kittery Point, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and portions of Eliot and York, allowing residents of those areas to serve on the board and vote for board members.

• Read more about Legislature allocates funds to expand affordable housing, support workers

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature voted Monday to provide $50 million to the Maine State Housing Authority to expand affordable housing options, $20 million of which will require the developers to use project labor agreements(PLAs).

• Read more about Governor signs Fay bill to fund wildlife rehabilitators

AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, to provide funding for wildlife rehabilitators was ceremonially signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills Monday.

The bill, LD 1012, An Act To Provide Funding for the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund Program, will fund grants including those that seek to fund organizations that provide professional care to sick, injured and orphaned wild animals so they can be returned to their natural habitats.

• Read more about Speaker Fecteau lauds Maine House for unprecedented session

AUGUSTA - On Monday, the Legislature completed voting on over 1700 bills. These bills have now had public hearings, work sessions, and votes in the House and Senate since December 2020. The Legislature completed allocating $983 million in federal relief funds before adjourning.

House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford released the following statement: