LD 1624 allocates $9.3 million annually from the General Fund to fund summer school programs for Maine public schools. It directly affects school administrative units, prioritizing those with 25% or higher student poverty rates, and also considers students from asset-limited or income-constrained households. The bill provides funding for high school credit recovery to help students graduate on time, as well as summer enrichment and intervention programs for elementary and middle school students to strengthen foundational skills and prevent learning loss. This funding is intended to be ongoing for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years.
LD 229 adjusts Maine's individual income tax brackets and rates for tax years beginning in 2026, replacing the existing 2017-2025 brackets. It affects three filing statuses: single individuals (and married filing separately), heads of households, and married couples filing jointly. For 2026, the bill increases income thresholds for each tax bracket (e.g., the lowest bracket for single filers rises from under $21,050 to under $41,600) and modifies rates, including raising the top rate to 8.2% for incomes over $500,000 for single filers. The changes apply to all Maine taxpayers in these filing categories starting January 1, 2026.
LD 1879 imposes a 1.07% tax on corporate income exceeding $3.5 million starting in 2026, targeting large businesses to generate revenue for Maine's agricultural sector. The funds will directly support agricultural programs, including $5 million for business incentives, $1 million for property tax exemptions on qualifying agricultural buildings, and $5 million for an agriculture investment fund. It creates a 10-year property tax exemption (2026-2036) for agricultural buildings constructed or renovated after January 2026, with municipalities reimbursed 100% by the state for lost revenue. The bill allocates specific annual funding amounts to existing agricultural programs without creating new initiatives.
LD 1123 provides ongoing state funding to establish two Public Service Coordinator positions within the Maine Department of Education. These coordinators will directly assist public school districts in navigating MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program) reimbursement processes for student health services. The bill allocates $204,172 for the 2025-26 fiscal year and $283,836 for 2026-27 to cover salaries and operational costs for these roles. The key mechanism is creating dedicated staff to provide technical assistance, streamline billing, and improve schools' ability to receive reimbursements for covered health services. This affects all public school districts in Maine that seek MaineCare reimbursement for student health-related services.
This bill defines "low-income household" for electricity assistance as having income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. It allocates $7.5 million for each of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years to provide direct aid to qualifying low-income households struggling with electric bills. The funding is specifically for "low-income electric ratepayer assistance" programs, targeting households meeting the income threshold. This is a one-time funding allocation, not a permanent program change.
LD 1089 would impose a 4% tax on Maine taxable income exceeding $1,000,000 for tax years starting January 1, 2025. This tax applies only to high-income earners (those with Maine taxable income over $1 million) and would generate revenue exclusively for public prekindergarten through grade 12 education. The bill permanently establishes this tax as a dedicated funding source for K-12 education, replacing temporary funding mechanisms. All revenue collected must be used for K-12 education, with no other designated uses specified in the bill text.
LD 1948 provides a one-time $117,618,761 allocation from the General Fund to MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program) for fiscal year 2024-25. It directly affects MaineCare recipients and healthcare providers who receive payments through the program. The bill's key mechanism is moving this funding from the General Fund for immediate use in the current fiscal year. Part B of the bill cancels a previously allocated amount from Public Law 2025, chapter 2, Part D, with that cancellation effective June 20, 2025. This is a procedural funding adjustment, not a new policy.
LD 1611 reduces the required retirement contribution rate for Maine teachers and state employees. Starting July 1, 2026, participants in the State Employee and Teacher Retirement Program will contribute 6.2% of their earnable compensation instead of the current 7.65%. The bill amends Maine law to implement this change, which applies to all members of the program without exceptions. The reduction directly lowers the financial obligation for these workers beginning the effective date.
This bill allocates $225,000 annually from the General Fund to support the Maine Discovery Museum's STEM education programs statewide. It directly funds three specific initiatives: the Maine Science Festival, the Maine Invention Convention, and the Science Around ME program. The funding is intended to sustain these educational efforts for students across Maine, focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The bill provides ongoing financial support without altering existing laws or creating new regulations.
LD 255 provides $3.5 million in one-time state funding to help mobile home residents purchase their mobile home parks. The bill creates a "manufactured and mobile home park preservation and assistance program" that directly supports residents seeking to buy their parks from owners. This funding, allocated from the General Fund for fiscal year 2025-26, aims to prevent displacement by enabling community ownership. The program is specifically designed to assist residents in low-income mobile home communities where park ownership changes could lead to higher rents or forced relocation. The funding is a one-time allocation with no ongoing annual budget.
