An Act to Modify Provisions of the State Civil Service System Governing Employee Recruitment and Retention
Sponsored By: David Rollins (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Pay reviews and compression fixes
The law requires a review of any pay adjustment at least every four years to match market changes. If a review lowers or ends an adjustment, current workers keep their pay; changes apply only to future hires. The committee must also check for salary compression in the chain of command. It can recommend fixes when the gap is more than four steps.
Pay raises only paid if funded
Approved raises are paid only if money exists. If an agency lacks budget, the Bureau must put the cost in the Governor’s next operating budget. If the Legislature does not fund it, the agency does not have to pay. This rule also applies to decisions by a neutral arbitrator.
Raise pay for hard-to-fill state jobs
The law creates a new path to raise pay for state jobs that are hard to fill. Agencies or unions can file a request with the Bureau of Human Resources. Within 30 days, the Bureau checks if freezes or other non‑pay policies caused the vacancies; if not, it forms a committee. The committee with Bureau, agency, and union reps reviews evidence. A raise can be approved only if there is high turnover or long vacancies, failed recruiting at current pay, and solid market data showing a long‑term pay gap. This process allows exceptions to normal pay‑grade maximums. The old process is repealed and this one now applies.
How to appeal pay decisions
You can appeal the Bureau officer’s written decision within 10 business days. If you are not represented, you appeal to the civil service appeals board. If you are represented, a neutral arbitrator hears the case; the Labor Relations Board can appoint the arbitrator. If the officer refused to form a committee, the arbitrator can only order that a committee be formed.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
David Rollins
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Pinny H. Beebe-Center
Democratic • Senate
Richard A. Bennett
Independent • Senate
Suzanne Salisbury
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 623
4/3/2026PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
3/25/2026SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/24/2026HouseCOMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-857), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.
3/19/2026SenateReport READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-857) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
3/18/2026SenateCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-857).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/17/2026HouseCarried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
6/25/2025HouseThe Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/23/2025SenateCommittee on LABOR suggested and ordered printed. On motion of Representative ROEDER of Bangor, the Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/22/2025House
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (H-857), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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