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LD 952

An Act To Exempt Agricultural Employers And Employees From The Maine Paid Family And Medical Leave Benefits Program

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Russell Black and 3 co-sponsors

Exempts Maine agricultural employers and workers from the PFML program, requires refunds of prior contributions, and cuts PFML funding by about $6.2 million annually.

Placed in the Legislative Files. (DEAD)
#agriculturalworkersexempt #compensation #paidleave
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 952

Summary of LD 952: An Act To Exempt Agricultural Employers And Employees From The Maine Paid Family And Medical Leave Benefits Program

Purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to exempt agricultural employers and their employees from Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Benefits Program.
  • By removing agricultural workers and employers from PFML, the bill would shift how benefits are funded for those in the agricultural sector.

Key provisions

  • Exemption: Agricultural employers and employees would be removed from participation in the Maine PFML benefits program.
  • Refund and calculations: The bill would require the Department of Labor to calculate and refund PFML contributions already paid by agricultural employers and employees.
  • One-time funds: The bill appropriates a one-time allocation of $20,000 from the PFML Insurance Fund in fiscal year 2025-26 to cover costs associated with calculating and refunding these contributions.

Fiscal impact (as noted in the fiscal notes)

  • Revenue impact: Exemption would reduce contributions to the PFML Insurance Fund by $6.2 million per year, starting in fiscal year 2025-26.
  • Appropriations/allocations: A one-time $20,000 allocation from the PFML Insurance Fund in FY 2025-26 for calculation and refund costs.
  • Overall effect: The state would see a recurring reduction in PFML fund contributions of approximately $6.2 million annually, with a small upfront administrative cost to process refunds.

Affected parties

  • Agricultural employers in Maine
  • Agricultural employees in Maine
  • Maine Department of Labor (administrative role for calculations and refunds)

Procedural and timeline context

  • Introduced: March 6, 2025
  • Committee: Labor
  • Work session: May 7, 2025
  • Reported out: May 29, 2025 (ONTP/OTP-AM)
  • Legislative action timeline:
    • June 2, 2025: Reports read; bill sent down for concurrence
    • June 3, 2025: Majority Ought Not To Pass Report accepted; roll call 76-72
    • June 3, 2025: In concurrence and ordered sent forthwith
    • June 3, 2025: Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
  • Status: Placed in the Legislative Files. (DEAD) for the 132nd Legislature, indicating no further action in this session.

Notes

  • The fiscal notes (LR 2312(01) and LR 2312(02)) mirror the same financial impacts: a recurring $6.2 million annual reduction in PFML fund contributions and a $20,000 one-time allocation in FY 2025-26 for refunds and related calculations.
  • The bill was amended during consideration (Committee Amendment referenced in fiscal note), and the final legislative actions show it did not advance to enactment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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