• Read more about Families, seniors and advocates urge lawmakers to pass the COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights

AUGUSTA - Today, Senate President Troy Jackson of Allagash and House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford presented LD 1, "An Act to Establish the COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights" at a public hearing before the Legislature's Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee. Maine seniors, health care professionals, patients and advocates overwhelmingly testified in favor of the legislation. Here is what supporters are saying:

• Read more about Sachs appointed to Building, Infrastructure and Housing Working Group of the Maine Climate Council

AUGUSTA - Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, has been appointed to the Building, Infrastructure and Housing Working Group of the Maine Climate Council.

• Read more about Grohoski to host virtual "Coffee with Constituents"

AUGUSTA - Rep. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, will host her virtual "Coffee with Constituents" event via Zoom on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. These monthly events are an opportunity for constituents from Ellsworth and Trenton to ask questions, share concerns and ideas and otherwise just connect.

• Read more about RESCHEDULED: COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights gets new public hearing date

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee has rescheduled the public hearing for Senate President Troy Jackson and House Speaker Ryan Fecteaus COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23. The public hearing will be streamed through the HCIFS Committees Youtube Channel here.

• Read more about Crockett appointed to Citizen Trade Policy Commission

AUGUSTA - Rep. Edward Crockett, D-Portland, has been appointed to serve on the Citizen Trade Policy Commission.

The 22-member commission is focused on assessing the impacts of international trade policies on Maine's state and local laws, business environment and working conditions. Established during the Second Special Session of the 121st Legislature, the commission includes: six legislators, an Attorney General designee, five nonvoting agency officials and 10 public members representing business, labor, health, government and environmental interests.

• Read more about Legislative panel votes to advance Talbot Ross's racial impact statement proposal

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's State and Local Government Committee voted Wednesday to advance a measure by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross that would give lawmakers a new tool to combat racial disparities in Maine's laws. The vote was 8-5.

• Read more about Grohoski reintroduces bill to improve health of Maine's bee population by reducing pesticide use

AUGUSTA - Rep. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, presented LD 155, Resolve, Directing the Board of Pesticides Control To Prohibit the Use of Certain Neonicotinoids for Outdoor Residential Use, to the Legislature's Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee on Thursday.

• Read more about Maine lawmakers introduce bipartisan bill to ban foreign campaign contributions and expenditures

AUGUSTA, MAINE - Rep. Kyle Bailey, D-Gorham, has introduced bipartisan legislation to ban foreign campaign contributions in Maine elections.

Currently, it is legal in Maine for foreign governments, corporations and billionaires to spend unlimited sums of money in support of, or in opposition to, state and local referenda. LD 479 would prohibit foreign spending to produce and disseminate communications about state and local ballot referenda.

• Read more about Kessler proposes equal footing for Maine on Canadian "Atlantic Loop" energy plan

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee held a public hearing Thursday on a proposal that would push for Maine to enter into early talks with Canadas Atlantic provinces regarding a proposed renewable energy project that would span five provinces and potentially cross through Maine.

• Read more about Martin Introduces Snowmobile Bill, Supported by President Jackson

AUGUSTA - Rep. Roland "Danny" Martin, D-Sinclair, presented his bill, LD 280, An Act To Increase Funding for Snowmobile Trails and Capital Equipment Grants, to the Legislature's Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on Wednesday.