AUGUSTA — A legislative committee unanimously approved a bill Wednesday that would give immunity from state law to hospitals that allow nonsmoking marijuana for patients who need it. The bill, LD 726, also defines in law what incidental marijuana is, including nonflowering plants or plant byproducts that have not yet been processed into medicinal products. […]
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Brakey wants to make state parks free for Maine military families
AUGUSTA — State Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, is hoping to pass a bill that would allow spouses and children of active-duty military personnel free access to Maine’s state parks. Brakey’s bill would expand a program that allows active-duty military members free access to the parks but doesn’t allow family members to have access without the […]
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Handgun sales spike in advance of Maine permit change
AUBURN — An upcoming change in Maine law that allows adults to carry a concealed handgun without a permit is triggering a spike in gun sales at some local shops. John Reid, owner of J.T. Reid’s Gun Shop in Auburn, said Tuesday that sales of handguns are up and he’s ordered more firearms to keep […]
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Legislature passes bill that removes permit requirement for concealed guns
AUGUSTA — A bill that removes Maine’s requirement that those carrying a concealed handgun first obtain a permit from law enforcement to do so passed the state Senate on a 23-12 vote Tuesday. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, now moves to Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who will have 10 days to veto […]
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Paul LePage’s vetoes take toll on finances, lawmakers’ nerves
AUGUSTA — An unprecedented spree of vetoes by Republican Gov. Paul LePage is taking a toll on the Legislature in more ways than one. LePage on Thursday issued 64 line-item vetoes in a $6.7 billion, two-year spending package, objecting to what he considers wasteful spending. He also said he intended to waste lawmakers’ time. A […]
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Maine House passes gun bill that allows concealed weapons
AUGUSTA — The Maine House of Representatives on Monday voted 83-62 to approve a bill lifting the state’s permit requirement for carrying a concealed handgun. Monday’s vote was the culmination of a decades-long effort by gun rights advocates to remove restrictions on lawful gun owners and follows a 21-14 vote in the state Senate last week […]
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Maine Senate approves bill to allow concealed guns without permits
AUGUSTA — On a 21-14 vote, a bill allowing handgun owners to carry concealed weapons without permits gained approval in the Maine Senate on Thursday. The bill, LD 652, sponsored by state Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, would do away with Maine’s requirement that an individual wanting to carry a concealed weapon first obtain a permit from […]
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Bill allowing concealed handguns without permits gunned down by party-line vote
AUGUSTA — A bill that would allow Mainers over the age of 18 to carry concealed handguns without permits was rejected Friday by a legislative committee. The bill, LD 652, gained the support of three Republicans on the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, but all seven Democrats rejected the measure. Three other […]
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Maine bill to allow concealed guns without permit stalls
AUGUSTA — An effort to remove a requirement in Maine law that those who carry concealed handguns must first acquire a permit to do so stalled Friday when a legislative committee tabled the bill. The bill, LD 652, offered by state Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, would allow anyone who legally owns a firearm to carry […]
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Maine immigrants speak out against welfare reform bills
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee listened to more than four hours of testimony Wednesday on a half dozen bills sponsored by state Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, aimed at making major changes to the state’s welfare and General Assistance programs. Among other things, Brakey’s bills would make those who have […]