Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §4305, sub-§3-B, as amended by PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. AAA, §3, is further amended to read:

3-B. Temporary maximum levels. Notwithstanding subsection 3- A, municipalities shall establish an aggregate maximum level of assistance that is 110% 140% of the applicable existing housing fair market rents as established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to 24 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 888.115, applying the zero-bedroom level for one person, the one-bedroom level for 2 persons, the 2-bedroom level for 3 persons, the 3-bedroom level for 4 persons and the 4- bedroom level for 5 persons. For each additional person, the aggregate maximum level increases by $75. For the purposes of this subsection, municipalities with populations greater than 10,000 are deemed Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas in those counties for which there are 2 fair market rent values and the aggregate maximum level of assistance for all Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas is the average of the fair market rental values for the Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas and areas that are not Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas for each county in which there are 2 fair market rental values.

SUMMARY

This bill increases from 110% to 140% of the applicable existing housing fair market rents, as established by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, the maximum aggregate level of assistance in the municipal ordinance requirements of the general assistance program.