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MaineLD 2102132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Clarify and Strengthen the Government Shutdown Loan Guarantee Program

Sponsored By: Kristi Mathieson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

FINANCE AUTHORITYFINANCE AUTHORITY - PROGRAMS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Easier shutdown loans with borrowing limits

Effective upon approval, the law lets affected Maine employees qualify without unemployment applications, credit checks, or bank-customer or credit-union membership. Employees unable to appear in person must prove Maine residency and military or National Guard service while stationed outside Maine. The loan starts at the smaller of $6,000 or the employee’s most recent monthly after-tax pay. That amount is reduced by four times the greater weekly unemployment benefit actually received or eligible to be received during the shutdown.

More funding for Maine shutdown loans

The State Controller must transfer $250,000 from the Bureau of Financial Institutions’ special revenue funds within 14 days after approval. The money goes to the shutdown loan guarantee fund in the Treasurer’s Office to help guarantee affected employees’ loan repayment. The law allocates $250,000 once in 2025–26 and $0 in 2026–27. At $200,000 in guarantee payments, the authority must immediately notify the Treasurer and the Appropriations and Financial Services legislative committees. The Appropriations committee must then report out funding legislation, consulting with the Financial Services committee.

Capped loan fees for shutdown workers

Participating lenders may charge a one-time fee to make a shutdown loan. The fee cannot exceed the smaller of $60 or 1% of the loan amount. Any fee must be added to the loan, so the borrower repays it with the loan.

Higher shutdown guarantee limit for lenders

The law raises the cutoff for approving shutdown loan guarantee claims from 10% to 50% of total loans issued. The authority must immediately stop approving claims when guarantee payments reach or exceed that 50% limit. It must notify the State Treasurer and every eligible lender of total payments and the halt in approvals.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kristi Mathieson

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Donna Bailey

    Democratic • Senate

  • Drew Gattine

    Democratic • House

  • Joseph M. Baldacci

    Democratic • Senate

  • Matthea E. L. Daughtry

    Democratic • Senate

  • Poppy Arford

    Democratic • House

  • Ryan Fecteau

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 137 • No: 36

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 31 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2026

ACC OTP-AM BY CA "A"

Yes: 106 • No: 36

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 583

    3/23/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.

    3/18/2026Senate

  3. This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/17/2026House

  4. COMMITTEE 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-826), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    3/12/2026Senate

  5. Reports READ. On motion by Senator BAILEY of York The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 746 Yeas 31 - Nays 0 - Excused 4 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-826) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.

    3/10/2026Senate

  6. Reports READ.On motion of Representative MATHIESON of Kittery, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 637(Yeas 106 - Nays 36 - Absent 7 - Excused 1 - Vacant 1)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-826) 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-826). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/5/2026House

  7. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES in concurrence

    1/7/2026Senate

  8. Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/7/2026House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-826), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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