132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 579 LR 1673(04)
An Act to Include Certain Mental Health Workers Under the 1998 Special Plan for Retirement
Fiscal Note for Senate Amendment " " to Committee Amendment "A"
Sponsor: Sen. Rotundo of Androscoggin
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
FY 2025-26 FY 2026-27 Projections  FY 2027-28 Projections  FY 2028-29
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund ($2,856,290) ($779) $820 $852
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund ($2,856,290) $4,310,826 $820 $852
Other Special Revenue Funds ($59,364) $135,623 $140,911 $146,408
Transfers
General Fund $0 $4,311,605 $0 $0
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This amendment removes Mental Health Worker I, Mental Health Worker II, Mental Health Worker III and Mental Health Worker IV positions in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) from being added to the 1998 Special Plan and adds several nursing positions to the 1998 Special Plan effective October 1, 2026.

This bill removes the one-time General Fund appropriation of $2,855,717 in fiscal year 2025-26 to the Retirement Allowance Fund within the Maine Public Employees Retirement System for the increase in the unfunded actuarial liability created as a result of the retroactive provisions in this bill and provides a one-time General Fund appropriation of $4,310,037 in fiscal year 2026-27 to the same account for the increase in the unfunded actuarial liability as a result of the newly added nursing positions. Pursuant to the Constitution of Maine, Article IX, Section 18-A, unfunded liabilities may not be created except those that result from experience losses. A General Fund appropriation of $1,568 and Other Special Revenue Funds allocations of $216,358 in fiscal year 2026-27 are provided to various programs within DHHS for the increase in the employer's retirement contributions on a prospective basis. 

The amendment would also transfer $4,311,605 in fiscal year 2026-27 from the Maine Budget Stabilization Fund to the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund; General Fund.