AUGUSTA - A bill from Senate President Troy Jackson of Allagash and House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford to establish a COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights became law without the governor's signature on Wednesday.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, reintroduced her bill providing for the safe disposal of expired marine flares at a public hearing before the Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday.

AUGUSTA - In a press conference today, University of Maine Professor Sandra Butler unveiled a report that underscores the need for Maine to update the unemployment insurance system to reflect the structure of today's economy and workforce. Impacted workers described their experience navigating Maines unemployment insurance system and Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford outlined the need for reform.

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee voted to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Sylvester, D-Portland, on Monday that would call on the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Council to coordinate the development of higher education programs and public-private partnerships to enhance education and employment opportunities in STEM fields.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Tiffany Roberts, D-South Berwick, presented LD 693, An Act To Make the Pilot Program Providing Mental Health Case Management Services to Veterans a Permanent Program, before the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs on Monday. Congressman Jared Golden, who represents Maine's 2nd Congressional District, submitted written testimony in support of the bill.

AUGUSTA - Today, Senate President Troy Jackson of Allagash, House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford, Senator Cathy Breen of Falmouth, and Representative Teresa Pierce of Falmouth, proposed the "Back-to-Basics" Biennial Budget in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this proposal, the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee would vote out a smart, responsible biennial budget that pays the bills and funds existing services by the end of the week to provide Maine people, schools and businesses with stability as the economy reopens.

AUGUSTA - A bill from Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford that could pave the way for more affordable housing in Maine will be introduced Monday. L.D. 609, "Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions" would establish a commission to review barriers to producing more affordable housing in Maine.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, will host a virtual "Coffee with Constituents" event via Zoom on Saturday, March 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.

AUGUSTA - Legislation sponsored by Rep. Denise Tepler, D-Topsham, was signed into law by Gov. Mills on Wednesday.

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.