• Read more about Affordable Housing Legislation sponsored by Speaker Fecteau passed by the Legislature, to be sent to the Governor's Desk

AUGUSTA - The Maine Senate voted to pass a bill from House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford Thursday. The bill paves the way for more affordable housing in Maine. LD 609, Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions will establish a commission to review barriers to producing more affordable housing in Maine.

• Read more about House advances Pierce bill to implement online voter registration

AUGUSTA - The Maine House voted Wednesday to advance a bill by Rep. Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth, that would allow eligible Mainers to register to vote using a secure online portal. The vote was 81-61.

• Read more about Legislature approves McCreight bill increasing voter access

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature gave initial approval this week to a bill from Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, that would increase voter access to the ballot and provide clearer guidance to municipal officials overseeing elections. The vote in the House was 79-58, and the vote in the Senate was 22-12.

• Read more about Legislature advances Tepler bill to provide menstrual products in schools

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature unanimously voted Wednesday to pass a measure sponsored by Rep. Denise Tepler, D-Topsham, that would require certain schools to provide free menstrual products to students.

• Read more about Maine House unanimously enacts Gere proposal to track economic and social progress

AUGUSTA - The Maine House gave unanimous final approval Wednesday to legislation from Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunkport, that would create better, more accessible measurements of economic and social progress.

• Read more about Blume joins legislators from 18 states to form Coastal Working Group to advance ocean climate policy

AUGUSTA - Rep. Lydia Blume, D- York, joined state legislators from 18 states Monday to form the Coastal Working Group. This group will allow state legislators to share ocean-based solutions to the climate crisis and policies to protect coastal communities.

"As our country's coastal communities start to react to and plan for the impacts of climate change, state legislatures need to act to protect our communities without hurting our all-important coastal environments," said Blume.

• Read more about House advances Morales proposal to improve housing stability

AUGUSTA - A proposal by Rep. Victoria Morales, D-South Portland, to create a state-level rental assistance program earned initial approval Wednesday in the Maine House. The vote was 82-61.

• Read more about Legislature gives unanimous initial approval to Bell bill to evaluate untapped potential of dormant rail corridors

AUGUSTA - The Legislature gave unanimous initial approval Tuesday to a measure from Rep. Art Bell, D-Yarmouth, that would help determine the untapped potential of dormant rail corridors across the state.

• Read more about House advances proposed educational requirements for African American, Holocaust studies

AUGUSTA - The Maine House voted Tuesday to advance a measure by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, that would incorporate African American studies into Maine's statewide learning standards. As amended, the bill includes proposals introduced by Sen. Louie Luchini, D-Ellsworth, to also require the study of genocide and the Holocaust. The vote was 106-38.

• Read more about House enacts bill to strengthen lead testing in school drinking water

AUGUSTA - A bill to strengthen lead testing in school drinking water received unanimous support Monday from the Maine House of Representatives.

LD 206 amends state rules to decrease the standard for lead in school drinking water from 15 parts per billion (ppb) to 4 ppb and requires schools to share results with the public within five days.