AUGUSTA - A proposal by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, which would implement recommendations from the Governor's Advisory Council on Military Sexual Trauma is now law. Gov. Janet Mills signed the measure on Thursday, July 27.

AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Bill Bridgeo, D-Augusta, aimed at funding lake restoration projects, is now law. Gov. Janet Mills signed the measure last week.

As amended, LD 164 will provide $200,000 to the Department of Environmental Protection's Lake Restoration and Protection Fund to help improve or maintain the water quality of lakes in the state.

AUGUSTA - On Wednesday, Governor Janet Mills signed into law a measure that will improve safety for students when entering and exiting a school bus. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell.

LD 62 requires antipinch sensors to be installed in all new school buses starting in 2025.

AUGUSTA - A proposal by Rep. Scott Landry, D-Farmington, to help local fire departments limit firefighters' exposure to harmful chemicals is now law. Gov. Janet Mills signed the measure on Thursday.

"Firefighters are at a significantly increased risk for cancer because of the carcinogens they encounter while on the job," said Landry. "It's time that we gave them the tools they need to minimize their exposure to toxic chemicals. Firefighters respond at all hours to protect our safety, and we should be doing all we can to keep them safe, too."

AUGUSTA - A bill to increase the notice period that a landlord must provide a tenant before significantly increasing their rent is now law. The measure is sponsored by Rep. Chris Kessler, D-South Portland.

AUGUSTA - The Council of State Governments (CSG) has announced that Rep. Amy Roeder, D-Bangor, and Rep. Laura Supica, D-Bangor, have been selected to participate in the 2023 CSG Henry Toll Fellowship. Bringing together 47 individuals from 29 states and U.S. territories and from all branches of state government, the Henry Toll Fellowship is the nation's premier leadership development program for state government officials.

AUGUSTA - The Council of State Governments (CSG) has announced that Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, has been selected to participate in the 2023 CSG Henry Toll Fellowship. Bringing together 47 individuals from 29 states and U.S. territories and from all branches of state government, the Henry Toll Fellowship is the nation's premier leadership development program for state government officials.

AUGUSTA - The Council of State Governments (CSG) has announced that Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, has been selected to participate in the 2023 CSG Henry Toll Fellowship. Bringing together 47 individuals from 29 states and U.S. territories and from all branches of state government, the Henry Toll Fellowship is the nation's premier leadership development program for state government officials.

AUGUSTA - Last Friday, Gov. Janet Mills signed into law legislation sponsored by Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, that will study the expansion of the state's health care workforce by looking at ways to integrate physicians trained outside of Maine into the health care system.

AUGUSTA - Legislation sponsored by Rep. Art Bell, D-Yarmouth, that will phase out the use of fluorescent light bulbs in Maine over the next several years, is now law.

As amended, LD 1814 will prohibit the sale or distribution of mercury-added light bulbs beginning on Jan. 1, 2026.