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Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause 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 $6.50 per hour. Starting October 1, 2006, the minimum hourly wage is $6.75 per hour. Starting October 1, 2007, the minimum hourly wage is $7.00 per hour. Starting October 1, 2008, the minimum hourly wage is $7.25 per hour. Starting October 1, 2009, the minimum hourly wage is $7.50 per hour. Starting January 1, 2017, the minimum hourly wage is $8.50 per hour. Starting January 1, 2018, the minimum hourly wage is $9.00 per hour. Starting January 1, 2019, the minimum hourly wage is $9.50 per hour. Starting January 1, 2020, 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.
Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
LABOR, DEPARTMENT OF
 
Administration - Bureau of Labor Standards 0158
 
Initiative: Provides funds to update and distribute the new minimum wage poster and other related publications in each of the 4 years that the minimum wage increases.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$0	$16,500	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$16,500	
 
’
 
SUMMARY
This amendment is presented as a competing measure to Initiated Bill 4, Legislative Document 1661 of the 127th Legislature, "An Act To Raise the Minimum Wage." This amendment is the minority report and replaces the bill, which is a concept draft, and makes changes to the minimum wage law, increasing the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour starting January 1, 2017, $9.00 per hour starting January 1, 2018, $9.50 per hour starting January 1, 2019 and $10.00 per hour starting January 1, 2020. The amendment also adds an appropriations and allocations section.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)