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An Act Regarding the Calculation of the Livable Wage
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 26 MRSA §1-A  is enacted to read:
§ 1-A.  Livable wage defined
As used in this Title, unless the context otherwise indicates, "livable wage" means the statewide average livable wage for a 2-parent household with 2 earners and 2 children as reported by the Department of Labor in the most recent annual report required pursuant to section 1405.
Sec. 2. 26 MRSA §1405  is enacted to read:
§ 1405.  Livable wage; calculation
 
1.  Calculation.     By December 31, 2007 and annually thereafter, the department shall calculate livable wages for households in the State's counties and metropolitan statistical areas by family size and as statewide averages by developing an annual basic needs budget for the following family sizes:
 
A.  Single person;
 
B.  Single parent and one child;
 
C.  Single parent and 2 children;
 
D.  Two parents, with one earner and 2 children; and
 
E.  Two parents, with 2 earners and 2 children.
 
By January 30, 2008 and annually thereafter, the department shall report the livable wages calculated pursuant to this subsection to the Legislature.
Sec. 3. Livable wage calculation. In calculating the livable wages pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 26, section 1405, the Department of Labor shall use the methodology set forth by the Maine Center for Economic Policy in the report entitled "Getting By: Maine Livable Wages in 2004."
 
SUMMARY
This bill directs the Department of Labor to annually calculate the livable wage for various household sizes using the methodology used by the Maine Center for Economic Policy and to report the livable wage calculations to the Legislature. The bill also defines "livable wage." The bill is based on the work of the Study Commission Regarding Livable Wages established pursuant to Resolve 2005, chapter 128.