A parent of one of the 13 people killed at Columbine High School in 1999 will join a Maine lawmaker during a news conference on Monday to support a bill that would require instant background checks for firearm sales at gun shows.

Rep. Anna Blodgett, D-Augusta, the bill’s sponsor, is scheduled to present the legislation to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee during a public hearing Monday morning.

Federal law says only licensed firearm dealers are required to do background checks, but does not include sellers at gun shows.

Long-term care

A bill sponsored by Rep. Matt Peterson, D-Rumford, that would develop a unified system for administering in-home and community support services for adults with long-term care needs, is scheduled for a public hearing on Monday.

AARP members and other advocates are expected to flood the State House in support of the bill.

What’s it taste like?

Rep. Lance Harvell, R-Farmington, has sponsored a bill that would allow taste testing of distilled spirits in agency liquor stores and malt liquor in retail stores.

Harvell’s bill is scheduled for a public hearing before the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee on Monday.

Maine law already allows wine tastings.

Energy policy

The newly formed committee directed to guide Maine’s energy policy will hold work sessions on all nine bills that have been presented to it so far this legislative session on Monday.

Proposals ranging from taxing heating oil to upgrading Maine’s housing stock will be considered by the panel, which includes local lawmakers Sen. Deb Simpson, D-Auburn, and Reps. Mike Carey, D-Lewiston, and Nancy Smith, D-Monmouth.

On Thursday, the committee will hear from the Maine Public Utilities Commission regarding plans for managing federal economic stimulus funds.

– Rebekah Metzler