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MaineLD 589132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Establish a State Minimum Hourly Wage for Agricultural Workers

Sponsored By: Rachel Talbot Ross (Democratic)

Became Law

COMPENSATIONCOMPENSATION - WAGES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Minimum wage for farmworkers starts 2026

The law sets a state minimum wage for farmworkers at $14.65 per hour starting January 1, 2026. Each January 1 after, the rate rises by the August-to-August change in the Northeast CPI-W, rounded to the nearest $0.05. If the federal minimum is higher, Maine’s rate matches it on that date and keeps adjusting each year. You are covered if you do agricultural labor under state and federal definitions. Family members who live with and depend on the employer are not covered.

Stronger farmworker wage enforcement and penalties

If you are not paid the required minimum wage, the employer owes the unpaid wages plus the same amount again as liquidated damages. A judgment also includes court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees. Employers who violate the law or retaliate against a worker who complains must pay a fine of $50 to $200 for each act. The Department of Labor has exclusive authority to bring unpaid wage actions for workers, and the Attorney General can ask Superior Court to stop ongoing violations.

Pay records and free wage access

Employers must keep true records of hours and wages for at least 3 years. With each payday, you get a statement with the pay period dates, hours, total pay, and itemized deductions. If pay is by direct deposit or another electronic transfer, you get a transfer record and a free way to access and print it. Wages can include the reasonable cost of board or lodging. You cannot sign away these wage rights by contract or any other means.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rachel Talbot Ross

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Amy Roeder

    Democratic • House

  • Craig V. Hickman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Chip Curry

    Democratic • Senate

  • Peggy R. Rotundo

    Democratic • Senate

  • Matthea E. L. Daughtry

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Tipping

    Democratic • Senate

  • Richard A. Bennett

    Independent • Senate

  • Ryan Fecteau

    Democratic • House

  • Traci Gere

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 170 • No: 157

House vote • 6/3/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 74 • No: 72

House vote • 6/3/2025

Enactment

Yes: 74 • No: 73

Senate vote • 6/2/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 22 • No: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 232

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/3/2025Senate

  3. RELEASED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/3/2025House

  4. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. ROLL CALL NO. 292(Yeas 74 - Nays 73 - Absent 4 - Excused 0)HELD.

    6/3/2025House

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative ROEDER of Bangor, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 290(Yeas 74 - Nays 72 - Absent 5 - Excused 0)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-196) 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-196). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/3/2025House

  6. Reports READ On motion by Senator TIPPING of Penobscot The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 289 Yeas 22 - Nays 12 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (S-196) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-196) Sent down for concurrence

    6/2/2025Senate

  7. 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

  8. 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

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