AUGUSTA - Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, presented a joint resolution urging Congress to establish a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) to help veterans access housing to the Council of State Governments East (CSG) on Wednesday.

CSG is the nation's largest nonpartisan organization whose mission is to champion excellence in state government. Hepler introduced the resolution to the Maine Legislature in July where it received unanimous approval. The measure was also supported by the Legislature's Veterans Caucus.

Just like every other aspect of life, the legislative session that wrapped up a few weeks ago looked quite different from usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of our committee meetings were held via Zoom, and for several months, the full Legislature convened at the Augusta Civic Center instead of the State House to allow for social distancing. Despite the challenges, my colleagues and I passed several landmark measures that will make a real difference for communities and families across the state.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Mark Bryant, D-Windham, has been appointed to the Registration Plate Working Group for the Department of the Secretary of States' Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

"I have been a member of the Legislature's Transportation Committee for seven years," said Bryant. "I look forward to using all I have learned to help improve our state's vehicle registration plate system, particularly by streamlining the process so that it is less burdensome for municipalities and residents."

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.