A bill to expand Maine’s restaurant inspection program has been approved by the state House of Representatives in a nearly party-line vote.
The Portland Press Herald reported that the Democrat-controlled House voted 79-68 in favor of L.D. 715, with most Republicans opposed. The bill calls for hiring five additional restaurant inspectors to address a backlog of inspections.
The bill, which now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate, would require an increase in licensing fees for restaurant owners. The Maine Restaurant Association has opposed the bill for that reason.