• Read more about Talbot Ross' bill to create racial impact statements in the legislative process becomes law

AUGUSTA- A bill sponsored by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, to give the Legislature the ability to assess the racial impact of pending legislation was signed by Gov. Janet T. Mills on Wednesday.

LD 2, "An Act To Require the Inclusion of Racial Impact Statements in the Legislative Process," creates a process of reviewing legislation to evaluate the impact it would have on historically disadvantaged racial populations.

• Read more about Environment Committee to hear McDonald's bill addressing balloon pollution

AUGUSTA- The Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee will hold a public hearing on a bill to define intentional balloon releases as an act of littering. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Genevieve McDonald, D-Stonington, addresses an issue that fishermen have wrestled with under the radar for years.

• Read more about Committee advances Cloutier's bill to support emergency shelters

AUGUSTA - The Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing voted to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, that would support emergency shelters for persons experiencing homelessness.

• Read more about Gramlich introduces measure to provide justice to survivors of childhood sexual abuse

AUGUSTA - During a public hearing Wednesday, survivors of childhood sexual abuse spoke in favor of a bill sponsored by Rep. Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, that would help victims access justice.

"As a kid, I knew I couldn't change what happened to me, but I also knew that, when I was a grown-up, I would do my best to make things better for others. As a social worker, I have worked my entire professional life to bring systemic change and to give voice to fellow survivors," said Gramlich.

• Read more about Legislature advances Cuddy's bill to improve retirement benefits for certain educational technicians

AUGUSTA - The Maine House and Senate voted on Thursday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Scott Cuddy, D-Winterport, that would ensure certain educational technicians are not required to pay into the Maine Public Employee Retirement System (MePERS) and can instead collect social security.

• Read more about Bailey introduces bill to ban foreign campaign contributions in Maine elections

AUGUSTA - Rep. Kyle Bailey, D-Gorham, presented a bill to ban foreign campaign contributions and expenditures in Maine elections to the Legislature's Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs Monday. The bill has garnered bipartisan support.

• Read more about McCreight's eelgrass mapping bill wins praise in public hearing

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee held a public hearing on a bill Monday to make sure Maine has the knowledge it needs to protect the health of its marine environment. The bill puts Maine one step closer to resuming regular mapping of eelgrass beds along the coast.

• Read more about House reaches deal on supplemental budget

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted to approve the supplemental budget after reaching a compromise early in the morning on Friday. The motion exceeded the required 101 votes to reach a two-thirds majority, receiving 139 votes. Following the vote in the House, the measure was finally enacted by the Senate.

• Read more about Speaker Fecteau releases statement on supplemental budget vote

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted today on a supplemental budget that included tax relief for 100% of Maine businesses who received a Paycheck Protection Program loan. House Republicans rejected the majority proposal and blocked passage of the bill. The vote was 83-63.

• Read more about Maine House votes to advance Talbot Ross's racial impact statement proposal LD 2 would give lawmakers a new tool to combat racial disparities in Maines laws

AUGUSTA - The Maine House voted Thursday to advance a measure by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, that would give lawmakers a new tool to combat racial disparities in Maine.

The measure was approved "under the hammer," or by unanimous consent.