AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted Monday to advance a proposal by Rep. Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, to increase behavioral health support for Maines first responders. The vote was 6-5 with two members absent.

AUGUSTA - In a 10-2 vote, a bipartisan majority of the Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee voted last week to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, that would protect public safety facilities from sudden utility service disconnection.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Lynne Williams, D-Bar Harbor, presented LD 1928, An Act To Update and Clarify the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act and Provide for Greater Transparency, before the Legislature's Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee on Monday.

The bill would clarify new rulemaking parameters for the Office of Marijuana Policy (OMP) and define the role of the Legislature in the rulemaking process.

AUGUSTA - A legislative committee voted on Thursday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Chris Kessler, D-South Portland, aimed at improving housing availability and affordability.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Mike Sylvester, D-Portland, introduced legislation Monday before the Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee that would support Maines law enforcement officers, corrections officers, E-9-1-1 dispatchers, firefighters and emergency medical services providers diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, LD 1929, An Act To Provide Assistance to Areas Severely Infested with Browntail Moths, received supportive testimony from municipal leaders during a public hearing on Tuesday before the Legislature's Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, presented LD 1898, An Act to Address the Economic Impact of Federal Clotures on Maines Fixed Gear Fishing Industry, before the Legislature's Marine Resources Committee on Tuesday.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Richard Evans, D-Dover Foxcroft, introduced legislation Tuesday to encourage job growth within Maine's forestry industry through tax incentives for eligible businesses. LD 1919 would enable forest products businesses that hire new employees to be eligible for reimbursement of labor, training and equipment costs.

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Taxation Committee voted unanimously last week to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, that would increase funding for Maines tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

AUGUSTA - Members of the Legislature's Marine Resources Committee voted Tuesday to advance a proposal by Rep. Genevieve McDonald, D-Stonington, that would extend legal fishing hours for Maine's lobster industry. The vote was unanimous among the 10 committee members present.