AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted Wednesday to advance a measure by Rep. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, that will strengthen efforts to restore sand dunes on Maine beaches. The vote was unanimous among those present.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, introduced legislation Tuesday that would expand Maine's health care workforce by studying ways to integrate foreign-trained physicians into Maine's health care system.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Anne Perry, D-Calais, introduced LD 807, An Act to Create the Small Communities Tourism Fund, before the Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business on Tuesday. The measure would establish a fund within the Department of Economic and Community Development's Office of Tourism that would offer grants to small communities seeking to develop and promote events and natural resource-based tourism opportunities.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Raegan LaRochelle, D-Augusta, presented a measure on Tuesday to help more Maine families afford child care by expanding access to the Child Care Subsidy Program, which provides assistance to eligible parents who are working, in school, in a job training program or who are retired and the legal guardian of a child.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Dan Sayre, D-Kennebunk, introduced a bill Wednesday before the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee that would provide funding for a diabetes education program in York County.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Maggie O'Neil, D-Saco, introduced a measure on Wednesday that would enshrine in Maine's constitution the right to a clean and healthy environment.

If approved by lawmakers, LD 928 would send the proposed amendment to Maine voters in November.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House voted Tuesday to advance a measure sponsored by Rep. Michele Meyer, D-Eliot, that would help parents access workforce training and education. The vote was 81-58.

AUGUSTA - A bill from Rep. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, would require the development of best practices to guide Maine schools when carrying out school lockdown drills.

At a public hearing on Tuesday, Millett told members of the Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee that drills should protect students both physically and emotionally.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell, presented LD 815, An Act to Provide Energy Efficiency Program Outreach and Assistance to Manufactured Housing Residents, before the Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee on Tuesday.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Maggie O'Neil, D-Saco, introduced a measure on Monday to improve forest policy and encourage stakeholder input by establishing a state Forest Advisory Board.