An Act to Increase General Assistance Reimbursement for Municipalities and Indian Tribes
Summary
Maine LD978 increases general assistance reimbursement rates for municipalities and Indian tribes under the 132nd Legislature. The bill passed the House (76-68) on April 2, 2026, and the Senate (20-12) on April 6, 2026, after Committee Amendment C (H-928). General assistance programs provide financial support to low-income individuals for basic needs including housing, food, and utilities.
What changed
Maine's LD978 increases state reimbursement rates for municipalities and Indian tribes operating general assistance programs. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Zager, Arata, and Senators Moore and Talbot Ross, was amended through Committee Amendment C (H-928) and passed both chambers in April 2026. The legislation addresses funding for programs that assist low-income residents with basic needs including housing, food, utilities, and medical expenses.
Municipal governments and federally recognized Indian tribes in Maine should review current general assistance program administration to understand the impact of increased reimbursement rates. Entities administering these programs should coordinate with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to determine updated reimbursement procedures and timing. The bill carries over from the 2025 legislative session and reflects ongoing efforts to support local delivery of general assistance services.
What to do next
- Review current general assistance program reimbursement rates and procedures
- Coordinate with Maine DHHS on updated reimbursement schedules under amended LD978
- Assess impact on municipal/tribal budgets of increased state reimbursement
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Maine / LD978 Passed LD978 LD Passed 2026-04-02
An Act to Increase General Assistance Reimbursement for Municipalities and Indian Tribes
Bill Details
State Maine
Session 132nd Legislature
Chamber House
Official Source legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_...
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Sponsors
Samuel Zager (Rep - D) Amy Arata (Rep - R) Marianne Moore (Sen - R) Rachel Talbot Ross (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-06 S Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "C" (H-928) in concurrence. 2026-04-06 S Committee Amendment "C" (H-928) READ and ADOPTED. 2026-04-06 S READ ONCE. 2026-04-06 S Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 870 Yeas 20 - Nays 12 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 2026-04-06 S On motion by Senator INGWERSEN of York the Report A Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee Amendment "C" (H-928) Report ACCEPTED. 2026-04-06 S Reports READ. 2026-04-02 H Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2026-04-02 H The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "C" (H-928). 2026-04-02 H Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading. 2026-04-02 H Committee Amendment "C" (H-928) was READ and ADOPTED. 2026-04-02 H The Bill was READ ONCE. 2026-04-02 H ROLL CALL NO. 717 (Yeas 76 - Nays 68 - Absent 6 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1) 2026-04-02 H On motion of Representative MEYER of Eliot, REPORT A Ought to Pass as Amended was ACCEPTED. 2026-04-02 H Reports READ. 2026-03-30 J Reported Out: OTP-AM/OTP-AM/ONTP 2026-02-19 J Voted: Divided Report 2026-02-19 J Work Session Held 2025-06-25 H Carried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800. 2025-06-18 J Carry Over Approved 2025-06-17 H ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2025-06-17 H The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to COMMIT the Bill and accompanying papers to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. 2025-06-17 S Sent down for concurrence 2025-06-17 S On motion by Senator INGWERSEN of York the Senate COMMITTED Bill and accompanying papers to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES In NON-CONCURRENCE. 2025-06-17 H Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. 2025-06-17 H The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-753). 2025-06-17 H Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading. 2025-06-17 H Committee Amendment "A" (H-753) was READ and ADOPTED. 2025-06-17 H The Bill was READ ONCE. 2025-06-17 H ROLL CALL NO. 545 (Yeas 75 - Nays 71 - Absent 3 - Excused 2) 2025-06-17 H On motion of Representative MEYER of Eliot, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED. 2025-06-17 J Referred To: HHS 2025-06-17 H Reports READ. 2025-06-17 J Reported Out: OTP-AM/OTP-AM 2025-05-15 J Voted: Divided Report 2025-05-15 J Work Session Held 2025-03-21 H Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519. 2025-03-07 H The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401. 2025-03-07 H Received by the Clerk of the House on March 7, 2025.
Votes
2025-06-17 Acc Maj Otp As Amended Rep RC #545 Yea: 75 Nay: 71 2026-04-02 Acc Report "a" Otp-am By Ca "c" RC #717 Yea: 76 Nay: 68 2026-04-06 Accept Report 'a' Ought To Pass As Amended RC #870 Yea: 20 Nay: 12
Committee Referrals
2025-03-07 J Health And Human Services
Amendments
0000-00-00 House: C-A (H-753) Adopted 0000-00-00 House: C-B (H-754) Adopted 0000-00-00 House: C-C (H-928) Adopted 0000-00-00 House: C-D (H-929) Adopted
Bill Text Versions
0000-00-00 Introduced
Subjects
General Assistance State Reimbursement Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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