MAINE MONITOR • May 12, 2024
Lawmakers failed to advance a bill addressing invasive aquatic plant infestations on Friday, weakening a slate of initiatives that environmentalists said would buttress Maine lakes and freshwater bodies in the face of climate change. The bill would have provided a one-time $2 million infusion to a fund managed by the Maine DEP to address aquatic plant infestations, which have become increasingly frequent and severe. Lawmakers stripped the funding at a meeting of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee on Tuesday, leaving the bill with a mandate but no money. The Senate then approved this updated version Friday afternoon but was thwarted by the House when it chose not to take up any legislation sent through by the committee.