AUGUSTA (AP) — A Maine legislative committee is conducting a public hearing on bills that seek to expand passenger train travel.

The Transportation Committee will hold the hearing at 1 p.m. Tuesday. One of the bills would fund a plan for commuter rail service between Portland and the Lewiston area. The other promises to provide communities with tools to fund local transportation including rail.

A group of advocates in favor of more rail transportation will hold a news conference about the bills at 12:30 p.m. at the statehouse. The advocates include Lewiston Mayor Bob McDonald and Sierra Club Maine Director Glen Brand. Bill sponsors Rep. Jared Golden, D-Lewiston, and Ben Chipman, I-Portland, will also speak.