MaineMaine law ties state employee pay schedules to ratified agreements
Maine's law ties some executive branch pay adjustments to ratified agreements and lets approved transfers cover agreement costs.
What it does
Executive branch salary schedules must match ratified bargaining agreements. The deadline is December 1, 2026, for Maine Service Employees Association agreements and December 31, 2025, for the other listed representatives.
State agencies may move available funds between programs and departments to pay bargaining agreement costs, with a budget official's recommendation and the Governor's approval. Positions funded from other sources must use those sources.
The Governor may extend similar treatment to certain employees outside bargaining units, including confidential employees and unclassified employees whose salaries the Governor adjusts or approves.
Argument forMatching pay schedules to ratified agreements could help covered state employees receive pay adjustments negotiated by their representatives.
Argument againstShifting available money to agreement costs could leave less money for other uses, though transfers need budget officials' recommendation and the Governor's approval.
More detail
The law requires salary schedules to match the terms of specified ratified bargaining agreements. This covers executive branch employees in bargaining units represented by the named employee associations, trooper and law enforcement associations, and the Fraternal Order of Police. Other certified bargaining representatives are included except for the Maine Service Employees Association, which is covered separately. For agreements with the Maine Service Employees Association, ratification must occur by December 1, 2026. For the other listed representatives, ratification must occur by December 31, 2025. The adjustments cover fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27 for the representatives in section 1, and fiscal year 2026–27 for the Maine Service Employees Association.
State agencies may transfer available funds to cover costs tied to state employee bargaining agreements. The funding covers agreement costs and related economic items, including equitable adjustments for certain employees outside bargaining units and confidential employees. General Fund and Highway Fund transfers between programs and departments require a State Budget Officer recommendation and the Governor's approval. Positions funded from sources other than the General Fund or Highway Fund must be paid from those other sources. General Fund transfers may use available personal services balances in fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27. Highway Fund transfers may use those balances in fiscal year 2026–27. The Salary Plan account may be made available for fiscal year 2026–27 costs by financial order.
The Governor may grant similar and equitable treatment consistent with the law to certain employees. This covers new, temporary, and seasonal employees in certain classifications excluded from bargaining, confidential executive branch employees, and unclassified employees whose salaries the Governor may adjust or approve. The law authorizes, but does not require, the Governor to grant this treatment.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 16Signed by Governor Janet MillsLatest
- Apr 14PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.Passed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 14Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 14PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Became Law
- Apr 14Ordered sent down forthwith.
- Apr 14PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY House Amendment "A" (H-1069) without reference to a Committee in concurrence.Minor
- Apr 14House Amendment "A" (H-1069) READ and ADOPTED.
- Apr 14Under suspension of the Rules, Bill READ TWICE.
- Apr 14FIRST READING without reference to a Committee
- Apr 14Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 14Subsequently, the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-1069).Minor
- Apr 14On motion of Representative GATTINE of Westbrook, House Amendment "A" (H-1069) was READ and ADOPTED.
- Apr 14Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.
- Apr 14Under suspension of the rules and WITHOUT REFERENCE to a Committee, the Bill was READ ONCE.Minor
- Apr 14Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs suggested and ordered printed.Introduced
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