• Read more about Legislature advances bill to support local medical marijuana growers and caregivers

AUGUSTA - The Maine House and Senate delivered strong bipartisan votes to advance a measure introduced by Rep. Lynne Williams, D-Bar Harbor, that gives Maine's small medical marijuana growers and caregivers a greater say over any new rules generated by the Maine Office of Marijuana Policy (OMP). The House voted 117-25 to advance the measure, and the Senate advanced the bill by unanimous consent.

• Read more about McCreight bill to address shortage of youth mental and behavioral health services signed into law

AUGUSTA - A measure introduced by Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, to reduce extended hospital emergency department stays and to provide appropriate mental and behavioral health services to minors was signed into law Tuesday. The new law is part of a broader effort to increase youth access to mental and behavioral health care and move away from dependence on emergency departments.

• Read more about Legislature advances Harnett bill allowing farm workers to collectively bargain

AUGUSTA - The Maine House and Senate voted to advance a bill Wednesday sponsored by Rep. Thom Harnett, D-Gardiner, to give Maine farm workers the right to organize for the purpose of collective bargaining. The House voted in favor of the measure 76-63. The Senate voted 18-17.

• Read more about House advances Cuddy bill to build a strong and diverse clean energy workforce

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval Wednesday to a measure sponsored by Rep. Scott Cuddy, D-Winterport, that would ensure that future renewable energy projects in Maine capitalize on the opportunity to provide high quality jobs in Maine.

• Read more about House advances landmark bill to improve municipal recycling programs

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted to advance a bill Wednesday sponsored by Rep. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, to support and improve municipal recycling programs and decrease property taxes.

• Read more about Affordable Housing Legislation sponsored by Speaker Fecteau signed into law

AUGUSTA - On Wednesday, Governor Mills signed LD 609, "Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions" from House Speaker Ryan Fecteau into law. The bill paves the way for more affordable housing in Maine. The bill will establish a commission to review barriers to producing more affordable housing in Maine.

• Read more about Tucker bill to fight climate change signed into law

AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Ralph Tucker, D-Brunswick, to reduce the future use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in Maine was signed into law Monday by Gov. Janet Mills.

HFCs are used in air conditioning, refrigeration equipment and insulation and are 100 to 1,000 times more potent as greenhouse gases than CO2.

"In our response to climate change, the reduction of HFCs is low-hanging fruit," said Tucker. "We will make a significant impact at a comparatively low cost with these HFC reductions."

• Read more about Maine Legislature enacts Evans bill to study overdose deaths

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature enacted a bill Tuesday sponsored by Rep. Richard Evans, D-Dover-Foxcroft, to establish the Maine Accidental Drug Overdose Death Review Panel. The panel will study the circumstances leading up to accidental overdose deaths and use the information gained to prevent future deaths.

• Read more about Tepler bill to improve health outcomes in the state signed into law

AUGUSTA - A measure to improve health outcomes in the state sponsored by Rep. Denise Tepler, D-Topsham, was signed into law last week by Gov. Janet Mills.

LD 274 directs the Maine Health Data Organization (MHDO) to develop a methodology to collect and analyze data on health care disparities within Maine's racial and ethnic populations. The MHDO will report back their recommendations to the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Affairs Committee later this year.

• Read more about Bill to establish Maine Service Fellows Program signed into law, joining resolve to study the Maine Climate Corps

AUGUSTA - A bipartisan measure to establish the Maine Services Fellow Program, LD 1010, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, was signed into law last week by Gov. Janet Mills.