AUGUSTA (AP) – A bill to extend to domestic partners’ inheritance rights in Maine received preliminary approval by a one-vote margin Wednesday in the state Senate.

The 18-17 vote came five days after the House of Representatives adopted the measure, which applies to male-female as well as same-sex domestic partnerships.

The bill’s supporters say it would establish equality in the treatment of domestic partners who are faced with the death of their partner, but opponents say it opens the door to same-sex marriages.

During a brief debate Wednesday, Assistant Senate Minority Leader Chandler Woodcock said the bill would place “a terrific burden” on the already overburdened probate courts.

The Farmington Republican also said the bill is unnecessary because domestic partners can express their final wishes in wills.

Sen. Peggy Pendleton, a supporter, cited figures showing that only half of Americans write wills.

“This bill addresses those who die without a will,” said Pendleton, D-Scarborough.

As amended by an identical 18-17 roll call in the Senate, the bill also creates a domestic partnership registry within the state Health Bureau, in which those who meet certain criteria could register as a domestic partnership by filing notarized forms with the registry.

With the amendment, the House and Senate have endorsed separate versions of the bill. The two chambers must agree on a single version if it is to win enactment.

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House votes to ban sale of brominated flame retardants

Eds: LD 1790

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – After a brief but testy debate Wednesday, the Maine House voted to ban toxic chemicals known as bromides that are used in fire retardants.

The legislation seeks to replace bromides, which are used in upholstery, carpets, mattresses and electronics, with safer alternatives.

The bill that received initial House approval by a 95-33 vote would outlaw the sale of brominated flame retardants known as Penta and Octa by January 2006.

It would also ban Deca, the most widely used retardant, as of 2008 if safer alternatives are found.

During the House debate, Republican Rep. Robert Daigle of Arundel said a company that stands to financially gain from the ban is pushing efforts in the State House to curb bromides.

But the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Hannah Pingree, defended the bill as a public health measure. The North Haven Democrat says it’s not motivated by “some conspiracy trying to hurt somebody.”

Animal studies link brominated flame retardants to problems with developing nervous systems.

AP-ES-03-31-04 1222EST