An Act To Raise the Minimum Wage Incrementally to $10 Per Hour in 2020
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1695
Senate Amendment SA_A_S527 (Senate)
Amends: 26 MRSA §664

SENATE AMENDMENT" t4,, to S.P. 701, L.D. 1695, Bill, "An Act To Raise the 
Minimum Wage Incrementally to $10 Per Hour in 2020" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Raise the Minimum Wage Incrementally to $10 Per Hour in 2019' 
Amend the bill by inserting after the title the following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, Maine's minimum wage has not increased since 2009; and 
Whereas, Maine workers who earn at or near the minimum wage are among the 
most economically vulnerable of our citizens; and 
Whereas, Maine is one of 2 states facing a so-called demographic winter 
characterized by fewer births than deaths and fewer new workers entering the workforce 
than older workers retiring from it; and 
Whereas, Maine's so-called demographic winter has created a net workforce 
shortage; and 
Whereas, an increase in the minimum wage addresses this workforce shortage by 
attracting more workers; and 
Whereas, to effect a minimum wage increase that Maine's small businesses can 
afford requires reasonable lead time for those employers to plan for the implementation 
of such an increase; and 
Whereas, 6 months from the immediate enactment of this legislation is the shortest 
time period needed for employers to plan for the need to implement a higher wage 
without causing business disruptions and imposing costs adverse to employee welfare; 
and 
Whereas, this legislation raises the mmnnum wage on October 1, 2016 and 
emergency enactment is necessary to allow employers to plan for implementation without 
business disruptions and imposing costs adverse to employee welfare; and 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
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SENATE AMENDMENT" A"to S.P. 701, L.D. 1695 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore,' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 26 MRSA §664, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2007, c. 640, §4, is further 
amended to read: 
1. Minimum wage. The minimum hourly wage is $(,.§Q fief hetlf. Startiftg Oeteeef 
1, 2QQ(,, the ffliBi.auHB hetlfl-y 1.v:age is $(,.7§ fief hetlf. StartiBg Oeteeer 1, 2QQ7, the 
HHBiffil:H'R he1:H'l-y wage is $7.QQ fief aetlf. Startmg Oeteeer 1, 2QQ8, the ffliaiml:HB hetlfl-y 
v,age is $7.2§ fief hetlf. Startiag Oeteeef 1, 2QQ9, the ffliBi.m.1:HB aetlfl-y wage is $7.50 per 
hour. Starting October 1, 2016, the minimum hourly wage is $8.50 per hour. Starting 
October 1, 2017, the minimum hourly wage is $9.00 per hour. Starting October 1, 2018, 
the minimum hourly wage is $9.50 per hour. Starting October 1, 2019, the minimum 
hourly wage is $10.00 per hour. If the highest federal minimum wage is increased in 
excess of the minimum wage in effect under this section, the minimum wage under this 
section is increased to the same amount, effective on the same date as the increase in the 
federal minimum wage, but in no case may the minimum wage exceed the minimum 
wage otherwise in effect under this section by more than $1 per hour. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill. It raises the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour 
beginning October 1, 2016 and by $.50 per hour each year after that until it is $10.00 per 
hour in 2019. It adds an emer~ncy preamble and an em/7ency clause. 
SPONSOREDBY: 
1/f"Vj ~fl_/ 
(Senator VOLK) 
COUNTY: Cumberland 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
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