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LD 2245

An Act To Reauthorize Funding Of Collective Bargaining Agreements With Executive Branch Employees

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Drew Gattine

Authorizes and funds salary increases for executive branch employees covered by specific CBAs, via intra-department transfers and Salary Plan adjustments, with equitable treatment

Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · LD 2245

Summary of LD 2245 (Bill: An Act To Reauthorize Funding Of Collective Bargaining Agreements With Executive Branch Employees)

Overview

  • Jurisdiction: Maine
  • Session: 132nd Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)
  • Introduced by: Rep. Gattine (Governor’s Bill)
  • Purpose: Reauthorize and fund the salary increases and related costs for executive branch employees covered by certain collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), and provide equitable treatment for employees excluded from bargaining or in related classifications.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • To implement and finance the cost items contained in CBAs reached between the State and specific employee bargaining units (notably:
    • American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
    • Maine State Troopers Association
    • Maine State Law Enforcement Association
    • Maine Service Employees Association (MSEA)
    • Fraternal Order of Police
    • and other certified bargaining representatives for executive branch units, with some exclusions)
  • To ensure salary adjustments reflect these agreements for fiscal years 2025-26, 2026-27, and for the MSEA in 2026-27, while providing mechanisms for equitable adjustments for employees excluded from bargaining (confidential employees, new/temporary/seasonal staff, and unclassified employees whose salaries are subject to gubernatorial adjustment).

Key Provisions and Changes

Salary Adjustments and Timelines

  • Sec. 1: Adjust executive branch salary schedules for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to align with CBAs ratified by December 31, 2025 (for most bargaining units).
  • Sec. 3: For the Maine Service Employees Association (MSEA), salary schedules must be adjusted for fiscal year 2026-27 consistent with CBAs ratified by August 31, 2026.

Funding and Transfers

  • Sec. 2 & Sec. 7: Costs to General Fund and Highway Fund can be funded in whole or in part through transfers of Personal Services appropriations within/between departments from the Salary Plan program (General Fund, Department of Administrative and Financial Services). Transfers may cover up to the full amount accrued by the Salary Plan as of the date an agreement is reached to implement the economic terms.
  • Sec. 9 & Sec. 10: Additional flexibility to transfer available Personal Services balances within the Salary Plan and across programs/departments in both the General Fund and Highway Fund to fund CBAs and related economic items for fiscal year 2026-27.
  • Sec. 8: Allows transfers of available General Fund Personal Services balances in 2025-26 and 2026-27 between programs/departments to fund CBAs, subject to approval and Governor’s recommendation. Also allows use of Salary Plan funding for other authorized uses during this period.
  • The total transfers through these mechanisms are limited by the Salary Plan balances and related fiscal constraints (notably $99,000,000 cap referenced in the fiscal note for transfers in 2025-26 and 2026-27).

Equitable and Similar Treatment

  • Sec. 4 & Sec. 5: The Governor is authorized to grant similar and equitable treatment for:
    • New, temporary, and seasonal employees
    • Confidential employees (as defined by exclusions in state law, including certain probationary and exempt roles)
  • Sec. 6: Similar treatment for unclassified employees whose salaries are subject to gubernatorial adjustment or approval.

Reimbursement and Administrative Costs

  • Sec. 11: The Department of Administrative and Financial Services may be reimbursed from the Salary Plan for costs associated with contract resolution, administration, implementation, and related processes.

Retroactivity

  • Sec. 12: Provisions amending Public Law 2025, chapter 492 apply retroactively to September 24, 2025.

Affected Parties

  • Executive branch employees in bargaining units represented by AFSCME, Maine State Troopers Association, Maine State Law Enforcement Association, MSEA, Fraternal Order of Police, and other certified representatives.
  • Employees excluded from collective bargaining (confidential employees, temporary/seasonal staff, and certain unclassified roles) who may receive similar and equitable adjustments.
  • Departments and agencies within the General Fund and Highway Fund that fund salaries and operating costs.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • CBAs must be ratified by specified deadlines (December 31, 2025 for most units; August 31, 2026 for MSEA) to trigger salary adjustments.
  • Retroactivity to September 24, 2025, for provisions amending the prior law.
  • Budgetary actions centered on inter-departmental transfers of Personal Services appropriations and the use of the Salary Plan program to fund these adjustments.

Fiscal Note (Summary)

  • The bill does not create new net costs but reallocates funding within the General Fund and Highway Fund to accommodate negotiated salary increases.
  • Transfers from the Salary Plan are capped in the accompanying fiscal note (up to $99,000,000 for 2025-26 and 2026-27).
  • Unobligated Salary Plan balances were about $62.8 million as of June 11, 2025, with additional lapses anticipated at year-end.

Bottom Line

LD 2245 is a fiscal measure designed to authorize and finance upward adjustments to salaries for executive branch employees under specified CBAs, while ensuring equitable treatment for employees outside bargaining coverage. It relies on intra-governmental transfers and the Salary Plan account to fund these increases and aligns retroactively with previously negotiated terms.

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

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