Maine

Lawmakers are considering a trial electric vehicle rebate for commercial vehicles to find out if they will work in Maine's challenging environment and if the state's industrial sector will give them a shot.

Roughly 116,000 homes and businesses in Maine do not have broadband service, according to federal data. The grants announced this week will expand service to more than 16,000 homes and businesses in nine counties.

On the heels of a week-long civil trial surrounding the data collection practices of the Maine State Police, officials will seek an outside review into whether its intelligence unit is violating federal privacy laws.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s recent announcement that it would again be delaying the deadline for compliance with federal identification requirements has prompted some to call for an end to the initiative.

Ken Boykin’s plans to promote data-based decision-making start by convening a steering committee and advisory group, along with writing a charter for the recently revived role he now occupies.

The state will see around $100 million for high-speed Internet projects as part of a $1 billion pot of funding from the federal government. Other projects include the purchase of electric buses and charging infrastructure.

Ken Boykin, who has worked with the state for the last five years, will become its new chief data officer Oct. 31. He replaces Youri Antonin, who left the position in November 2019.

Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. got approval Tuesday to spend up to $205,000 to buy hybrid cruisers and equip them, after being notified that five ordered in February would not actually be coming.

All public schools in the state will soon have access to $5,000 worth of state-provided computer science equipment, Gov. Janet Mills announced this week. The initiative will be funded with $3 million in CARES act money.

State leaders took a risk in 2019 when they passed the toughest Internet privacy law in the nation, drawing the ire of powerful telecommunication companies, which saw it as a threat to their way of business.

Proposed marijuana rules violate Maine's new facial surveillance ban, banning government organizations from using facial recognition systems with some exceptions, according to the civil rights organization.

Plus, New Mexico has a new leader for its state broadband team; Baltimore is restructuring its digital equity work; FCC leadership is proposing an increase for minimum broadband speeds; and more.

The state is set to receive $110 million in federal funds to expand high-speed Internet access to about 22,000 families and businesses in rural parts of the state. The money comes from the American Rescue Plan.