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LD 1219

An Act To Increase State Funding For The Campuses Of The University Of Maine System And To Raise The Minimum Hourly Wage For Employees Of The System

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Joe Baldacci and 9 co-sponsors

Increases ongoing General Fund support to the University of Maine System and raises the minimum hourly wage for its employees.

Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 1219

Summary — LD 1219 (132nd Legislature)

An Act To Increase State Funding for the Campuses of the University of Maine System and To Raise the Minimum Hourly Wage for Employees of the System

Purpose and intent

LD 1219 would (1) increase ongoing state operating support to the campuses of the University of Maine System (UMS) and (2) raise the minimum hourly wage for employees of the System. The stated intent is to provide additional general fund support to sustain current UMS operations and to improve compensation for lower‑paid System employees.

Key provisions

  • Provides ongoing General Fund appropriations to the University of Maine System to support increased campus funding.
  • Implements a statewide increase in the minimum hourly wage for UMS employees (the bill text provided here does not include the specific wage rate; see full bill for exact wage schedule).
  • Committee Amendment A (S‑133) was adopted and the fiscal note reflects the bill as amended.

Fiscal impact (from Fiscal Note LR1731(02), approved 05/12/2025)

  • Ongoing General Fund appropriations:
    • FY 2025‑26: $9,580,849
    • FY 2026‑27 and thereafter (projected): $19,544,932 annually (FY 2027‑28 and FY 2028‑29 projections equal $19,544,932)
  • The fiscal note states these amounts support a 4% increase in funding in FY 2025‑26 and an additional 4% increase in FY 2026‑27 to continue current UMS operations.
  • The appropriation figures in the fiscal note indicate the State General Fund bears the cost; no separate fiscal estimate for the wage change is included in the provided fiscal note summary.

Who is affected

  • University of Maine System campuses and their operating budgets (primary recipients of the increased state support).
  • UMS employees at or near the current minimum wage (would receive higher hourly pay if wage provisions are enacted).
  • State taxpayers / General Fund (pays the ongoing appropriations).
  • Students and campus communities may see indirect effects (stabilized operations, staffing retention, service continuity).

Legislative status and timeline

  • Introduced: March 20, 2025; referred to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs.
  • Committee work: Work session held; Committee Amendment A (S‑133) adopted.
  • House action: Report “Ought to Pass as Amended” accepted (Roll Call 108–33); bill passed to be engrossed as amended.
  • Senate action: Concurred and ordered sent forthwith; placed on the Special Appropriations Table pending enactment.
  • Final status (as of 2025‑06‑25): CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.

Note: The fiscal note above is for the bill as amended by Committee Amendment A. The bill text should be consulted for precise wage figures, implementation dates, and any other operational details not included in the fiscal summary.

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

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