Maine Legislature

While some Democrats in the Legislature want to expand the law and many Republicans want to repeal it, there are bipartisan talks about tweaks that would make it more palatable to the business community.

There is growing concern in Maine and nationwide about the use of AI to manipulate videos or audio to harm political candidates or influence voters.

The bill presented by Senator Stacy Brenner, D- Cumberland, would modify the Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund to provide funding in the event of lost federal grants or loans or to recover in the event of a disaster.

A slew of bills aim to repeal or overhaul the 2023 law. They come before any benefits have been paid, but just a few months after payroll taxes kicked in to fund the program.

But the bill's $12 million price tag could be a challenge for lawmakers to cover given the state's budget constraints. And while the funding would not pay for abortions, Republicans were skeptical and accused Democrats of resisting efforts to make prohibition explicit.

Proposed legislation would lower penalties for employers that don't comply with the law, and create a flat reimbursement rate for all workers.

The legislature's education committee heard testimony Wednesday on bills that would limit student access to cellphones during the school day.

Supporters say raising the minimum age to 18 will help deter forced marriages and protect minors — especially girls — who find it more difficult to extract themselves from unhealthy situations.

The bill passed with strong bipartisan support at a time when the state is under intense pressure to address a "constitutional crisis" within the indigent legal system. But Gov. Janet Mills — a former attorney general and prosecutor — has been skeptical that more money and positions is the answer.

The ruling means that the waiting period law will not be enforced while the court hears an appeal of a lawsuit filed by gun owners' rights groups.