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MaineLD 1566132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Provide Compensation to Individuals with Lived Experience Serving on Certain Advisory Boards, Commissions, Councils and Similar Groups

Sponsored By: Flavia DeBrito (Democratic)

Became Law

STATE BOARDSSTATE BOARDS - MEMBERSHIP

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Pay and expenses for lived-experience members

The law defines who counts as a “member representing lived experience” on state boards. Your seat must be named in law as a lived‑experience seat, you must have first‑hand experience on the topic, and your employer cannot already pay you for board time. Beginning October 1, 2025, eligible members can be paid up to the legislative per diem and get expenses for meals, meeting refreshments, child care, and travel. Payment happens only if the board’s department has funds, and that office sets the amount and how to pay. If it lacks funds, you or the board can apply to the Secretary of State for payment under a prioritized process. The Secretary of State runs the application, notifies you of decisions, and pauses the process when no money is available.

Standard pay rules and higher advisory caps

The law standardizes member pay options for state boards: legislative per diem, another daily rate, a salary, expenses only, or no pay. If a per diem or salary is set, members can also get expenses. If a board is marked “not authorized,” members cannot get pay or expenses, except under the lived‑experience payment path in law. For advisory boards, the maximum daily pay is now the legislative per diem instead of the old $25 cap. Boards not authorized for expenses remain ineligible unless the lived‑experience rule applies.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Flavia DeBrito

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Anne Graham

    Democratic • House

  • Christina Mitchell

    Democratic • House

  • Holly Sargent

    Democratic • House

  • Janice Dodge

    Democratic • House

  • Julia McCabe

    Democratic • House

  • Kelly Murphy

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 93 • No: 85

Senate vote • 6/13/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 18 • No: 13

House vote • 6/13/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 75 • No: 72

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 503

    1/11/2026

  2. HELD BY THE GOVERNOR.

    7/8/2025Senate

  3. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

  4. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence

    6/16/2025Senate

  5. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/16/2025House

  6. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SALISBURY of Westbrook, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 472(Yeas 75 - Nays 72 - Absent 2 - Excused 2)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-677) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-677). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/13/2025House

  7. Reports READ On motion by Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED in concurrence PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 544 Yeas 18 - Nays 13 - Excused 3 - Absent 1 READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-677) READ. READ and ADOPTED in concurrence Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-677) in concurrence Ordered sent down forthwith

    6/13/2025Senate

  8. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT in concurrence

    4/10/2025Senate

  9. Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/10/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-677), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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