AUGUSTA (AP) – A bill to make it a civil violation in Maine to force-feed birds to produce a delicacy called foie gras is under review by a legislative committee.

Sponsors told the Agriculture Committee on Wednesday that foie gras, or fatty liver, is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese. Katie Lisnick of the Humane Society of the United States said that damages the birds’ livers and abdomens and can be painful.

Maine has no facility that produces foie gras, but some restaurants serve the product.

Animal welfare plate bill advances

AUGUSTA (AP) – A bill to create a new specialty Maine license plate to raise money for animal welfare programs has won committee support and now faces votes in the House and Senate.

It authorizes the creation of a “Support Animal Welfare” registration plate. Money raised from the special plates would be divided between the state’s animal welfare and sterilization funds.

Democratic Sen. John Nutting of Leeds says supporters of the bill have raised the $50,000 needed to guarantee that there will be at least 2,000 plate owners.

Wife pleads not guilty to killing

ALFRED (AP) – A Wells woman accused of dousing her husband with gasoline and setting him on fire while he slept has pleaded innocent.

Kimberly Spampinato, 42, appeared Wednesday in York County Superior Court, where she’s charged with murder and arson. Justice Paul Fritzsche ordered her to continue to be held without bond. Christopher Spampinato was burned over 85 percent of his body.

shortly after midnight on Jan. 8. He died nine days later in a Boston hospital.