Wed, 12/16/2020 - 7:45am

Maine House Democratic Office

AUGUSTA – Lincoln County-area state representatives have been named to several of the Legislature’s policy committees for the upcoming session:

• Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, will serve on the Marine Resources Committee. This is her first term in the Legislature

• Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, will serve on both the Marine Resources and the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committees. This is her second term in the Legislature.

• Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, will serve on both the Government Oversight and the Health and Human Services Committees. This is her second term in the Legislature.

“Keeping our coastal waters healthy and our fisheries productive will help us protect the environment and the marine economy on which so many Mainers depend,” said Crafts. “I’m proud to be doing this work at a time when both are under great stress.”

“I’m excited to continue working on marine and fishery issues and also to take on legislation related to hunting and wildlife management,” said Hepler. “Together these two committees play a crucial role in making sure we are being good stewards of our natural resources and protecting Maine’s marine economy and sportsman culture.”

“Right now Maine continues to face both the human and the economic fallout from the pandemic,” said Stover. “We have rising joblessness, an addiction crisis and a safetynet under severe strain. The work of the Health and Human Services Committee and the Government Oversight Committee will be to make sure that we are doing all we can to help and that the help we are providing is going to the places it should.”

About the committees:

• The Government Oversight Committee oversees program evaluation and government accountability matters in state government. It works to ensure that public funds are expended for intended purposes, and that programs and activities are effectively, efficiently and economically managed.

• The Health and Human Services Committee oversees policy related to the Department of Health and Human Services. The committee also oversees policy concerning MaineCare, mental health, tobacco sales, medical marijuana, homelessness and public assistance.

• The Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee oversees the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, hunting, fishing, trapping, hunter safety, fish hatcheries, game wardens, guides, taxidermist licensing, ATVs, snowmobiles, watercraft registration and boater safety, and white water rafting.

• The Marine Resources Committee oversees policy relating to the Department of Marine Resources, commercial marine fisheries management, licensing and enforcement, aquaculture and the processing and sale of marine fish and shellfish.

A complete list of legislative committees and their newly appointed members can be found at http://legislature.maine.gov/house/house/Committees