With the first two months of the Second Regular Session behind us, lawmakers are making a final push to report 100 percent of bills out of committees ahead of the March 9 deadline. The second session, which is the shorter of the two, is scheduled to adjourn on Wednesday, April 18. Still ahead are many debates on important issues including tax conformity, recreational marijuana, referendum reforms, Downeast Correctional Facility and funding for nearly 80 bills that remain on the Special Appropriations Table.

 

Insurance Superintendent Eric Cioppa has announced that, thanks to a competitive market, Maine consumers are paying lower rates for auto and home insurance than residents of nearly every other state in the country. This is the fifth year in a row that Maine's auto insurance premiums have been ranked 3rd lowest in the country and the third year in a row average homeowner premiums have ranked 10th lowest. Maine also enjoys the lowest percentage of uninsured motorists.               

 

With more than 200,000 park passports in circulation, the Park Passport Program has proven to be incredibly popular in Maine. This program, designed to increase attendance at Maine's 48 state parks and historic sites, has been one of the most successful promotions promoted by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The book provides information about Maine's public lands and each park and historic site has a special stamp for participants who visit between May 15-September. Participants receive an award for every eight stamps. Passports cost $1 and are available at all Maine State Parks. Click here for more information. 

IF&W has allocated moose hunting permits for disabled veterans who are residents of Maine - and a small group of non-resident disabled veterans - to participate in the Controlled Moose Hunt. This Hunt is not like the regular IF&W moose lottery, as it requires each hunter to team up with a registered Maine Guide who has specific training for the Controlled Moose Hunt. As in past years, all hunts will take place on farm land specified by IF&W.

 

Please note that this is a one-time hunt. If you have ever tagged a moose through the Disabled Veterans Controlled Moose Hunt, you are ineligible to hunt again. Click here for more information.

Applications will be accepted from now until 11:59 pm on Tuesday, May 15 for the online only 2018 Maine moose permit lottery. Using the online system, hunters will choose several preferences, including which wildlife management districts they would like to hunt in, preferred hunting season, antler preference and sub-permittee designation. For more information or to apply, go to mefishwildlife.com.