Signed by Governor Janet Mills

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a committee to study the feasibility of creating a universal basic income system.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Committee to Study the Feasibility of Creating Basic Income Security (Sec. 1).

• Requires the President of the Senate to appoint three members of the Senate, including a representative from (Sec. 2):

• The Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing;

• The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services; and

• The Joint Standing Committee on Taxation.

• Requires the Speaker of the House to appoint three members of the House of Representatives, including a representative from (Sec. 2):

• The Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing;

• The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services; and

• The Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business.

• Requires the President of the Senate to appoint two members of the public who represent low-wage workers and recipients of public benefits (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Speaker of the House to appoint one member of the public who represents business and industry, and one member who represents higher education (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Governor to appoint one member who represents a trade union (Sec. 2).

• Establishes the duties of the committee to include examining and making recommendations on the feasibility of providing basic economic security through a direct cash payment system and other programs that are designed to help individuals including, but not limited to (Sec. 5):

• Tax rebates and credits, including strengthening the earned income tax credit and a negative income tax;

• Universal basic income and unconditional cash transfers to residents of Maine; and

• Other direct cash benefit programs.

• Requires the committee to submit a report detailing its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the first regular session of the 130th legislature by November 4, 2020 (Sec. 7).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a committee to study the feasibility of creating a universal basic income system.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Committee to Study the Feasibility of Creating Basic Income Security (Sec. 1).

• Requires the President of the Senate to appoint three members of the Senate, including a representative from (Sec. 2):

• The Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing;

• The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services; and

• The Joint Standing Committee on Taxation.

• Requires the Speaker of the House to appoint three members of the House of Representatives, including a representative from (Sec. 2):

• The Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing;

• The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services; and

• The Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business.

• Requires the President of the Senate to appoint two members of the public who represent low-wage workers and recipients of public benefits (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Speaker of the House to appoint one member of the public who represents business and industry, and one member who represents higher education (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Governor to appoint one member who represents a trade union (Sec. 2).

• Establishes the duties of the committee to include examining and making recommendations on the feasibility of providing basic economic security through a direct cash payment system and other programs that are designed to help individuals including, but not limited to (Sec. 5):

• Tax rebates and credits, including strengthening the earned income tax credit and a negative income tax;

• Universal basic income and unconditional cash transfers to residents of Maine; and

• Other direct cash benefit programs.

• Requires the committee to submit a report detailing its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the first regular session of the 130th legislature by November 4, 2020 (Sec. 7).

Full Bill Text