Increases funding for University of Maine System campuses and raises minimum wage for hourly employees.

This bill mandates that starting July 1, 2026, each campus of the University of Maine System must receive funding at least equal to 95% of the funding their peer institution gets per student. For the 2027-28 fiscal year, the funding requirement increases to 100%. The bill also raises the minimum hourly wage for University of Maine System employees to 125% of the state's minimum wage, effective July 1, 2025. Additionally, it allocates funds for a 6% increase in fiscal year 2025-26 and a further 4% increase in fiscal year 2026-27 to support ongoing operations.

Increases funding for University of Maine System campuses and raises minimum wage for hourly employees.

This bill mandates that starting July 1, 2026, each campus of the University of Maine System must receive funding at least equal to 95% of the funding their peer institution gets per student. For the 2027-28 fiscal year, the funding requirement increases to 100%. The bill also raises the minimum hourly wage for University of Maine System employees to 125% of the state's minimum wage, effective July 1, 2025. Additionally, it allocates funds for a 6% increase in fiscal year 2025-26 and a further 4% increase in fiscal year 2026-27 to support ongoing operations.