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.
New law will help survivors of domestic violence access justice
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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.
Fay testifies before Congress on long-term care workforce issues
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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.
Governor signs Mathieson bill to update water district charter
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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.
Legislature allocates funds to expand affordable housing, support workers
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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).
Governor signs Fay bill to fund wildlife rehabilitators
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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.
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:
Delivering results for the people of Maine
The last 16 months have been a whirlwind. The pandemic has taken over 880 lives in Maine, caused thousands of layoffs and brought immeasurable instability and uncertainty into our lives. It was a legislative session like no other, and while COVID-19 brought to light the cracks in our systems, it also brought about widespread, bipartisan agreement that big problems can't be solved with piecemeal solutions. In both D.C.
Legislature advances program to provide family caregivers with $2,000 tax credit payments
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AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature voted Monday to fund the Family Caregiver Pilot Program, a program that will provide $2,000 tax credit payments to eligible Mainers who care for older family members or family members with disabilities. The funding measure was included in LD 1733, the bill to allocate the federal relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
McDonald bill decriminalizing hypodermic syringes signed into law
AUGUSTA - A bill by Rep. Genevieve McDonald, D-Stonington, that decriminalizes the possession of hypodermic syringes, was signed into law last week. The measure, which received unanimous support in the Legislature, will improve public health and ensure more Mainers affected by drug use and substance use disorder can access sterile supplies, support services and treatment. This will prevent the spread of dangerous infections from used syringes, reduce overdose deaths and divert people away from the criminal justice system.