ME LD853

Replaces Maine's single statewide minimum wage with three regional living wages beginning January 1, 2026, based on MIT Living Wage Calculator data for one adult with no children

Divides Maine into three regions: Portland metropolitan (York and Cumberland counties), Coastal (Hancock, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Kennebec, and Oxford), and Northern (Aroostook, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Somerset, Franklin, Washington, and Androscoggin)

Sets Portland metro region wage using Portland-South Portland metro area living wage data, Northern region using Bangor metro area data, and Coastal region using statewide living wage data

Maintains current $14.65/hour minimum wage across all regions through December 31, 2025

Requires annual cost-of-living adjustments starting January 1, 2027, based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region