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MaineLD 579132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Include Certain Nurses Under the 1998 Special Plan for Retirement

Sponsored By: Michael Tipping

Signed by Governor

STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEMSTATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM - SPECIAL PLANS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Higher pension deductions for DHHS nurses

After September 30, 2026, covered DHHS nurses pay 8.65% of earnable pay into the pension until they reach 25 years of service. After 25 years, the rate is 7.65%. The contribution comes out of each paycheck.

DHHS nurses enter Special Plan pensions

Beginning October 1, 2026, DHHS nurses in listed classes join the 1998 Special Plan. Your pension for that role is figured under the Special Plan using all your creditable service in that role, no matter when earned. You can also buy service credit for past work in that role. You can retire at age 55 with 10 years, or with 25 years of service. If you retire under the 25‑year rule before age 55, the law reduces this part of your benefit. If you had fewer than 10 years on July 1, 1993, the cut is 6% per year. If you had 10 or more years then, the statute’s earlier scale applies.

State funds DHHS nurse pension changes

For fiscal year 2026‑27, the state provides $216,358 in special revenue and $1,568 from the General Fund to DHHS. It also makes a one-time $4.31 million General Fund payment to the Retirement Allowance Fund. By June 30, 2027, the state transfers $4,311,605 from the Budget Stabilization Fund to the General Fund. These actions fund and support the DHHS nurse pension changes starting October 1, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Michael Tipping

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Amy Roeder

    Democratic • House

  • Gary Drinkwater

    Republican • House

  • Richard Bradstreet

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 111 • No: 69

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

RECEDE AND CONCUR

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 4/13/2026

ADOPT HAH-1053 TO CAS-344

Yes: 76 • No: 69

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 747

    4/16/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    4/14/2026Senate

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

    4/14/2026House

  4. On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland the Senate RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-344) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-1053) thereto PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 950 Yeas 35 - Nays 0 - Excused 0 - Absent 0 Ordered sent down forthwith.

    4/13/2026Senate

  5. On motion of Speaker FECTEAU of Biddeford, the House RECEDED.On motion of Representative GATTINE of Westbrook, House Amendment "A" (H-1053) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-344) was READ and ADOPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 811(Yeas 76 - Nays 69 - Absent 5 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)Committee Amendment "A" (S-344) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-1053) thereto was ADOPTED.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-344) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-1053) thereto.In NON-CONCURRENCE and sent for concurrence.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/13/2026House

  6. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table. Same Senator moved to SUSPEND THE RULES to RECONSIDER whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-344) in concurrence. On motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook OBJECTED. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin Bill and accompanying papers COMMITTED to the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs In NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence.

    4/13/2026Senate

  7. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.

    6/25/2025Senate

  8. On motion by Senator RENY of Lincoln PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence

    6/13/2025Senate

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

    6/12/2025House

  10. Reports READ.On motion of Representative ROEDER of Bangor, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-344) 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" (S-344). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/11/2025House

  11. Reports READ On motion by Senator TIPPING of Penobscot The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-344) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-344) Sent down for concurrence

    6/11/2025Senate

  12. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025Senate

  13. Received by the Secretary of the Senate on February 19, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on LABOR pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2

    2/19/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (S-344), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Amendment H-A to C-A (H-1053), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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