Sec. 1. 26 MRSA §664, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 305, §1, is amended to read:

1. Minimum wage. The minimum hourly wage is $4.25 $5.15 per hour. If the highest federal minimum wage is increased in excess of $4.25 per hour, the minimum wage must be increased to the same amount, effective on the same date as the increase in the federal minimum wage, but in no case may the minimum wage exceed $5.15 per hour. Starting January 1, 2002, the minimum hourly wage is $5.65 per hour.__Starting January 1, 2003, the minimum hourly wage is $6.15 per hour.

Sec. 2. 36 MRSA §5219-O, as amended by PL 1999, c. 414, §48, is further amended to read:

§5219-O. Credit for dependent health benefits paid

1. Credit allowed. A taxpayer constituting an employing unit that employs fewer than 5 low-income 15 employees is allowed a credit to be computed as provided in this section against the tax imposed by this Part, subject to the limitations contained in subsections 3 and 4. The credit equals the lesser of 20% of dependent health benefits paid under a health benefit plan during the taxable year for which the credit is allowed or $125 per employee with dependent health benefits coverage. A taxpayer who received a credit under this section in the preceding year and whose number of low-income employees is 5 15 or more may continue to receive the credit for 2 years after the last year in which the number of low-income employees was fewer than 5 15.

2. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A. "Dependent" means a dependent, as defined by Section 152 of the Code, who is under 19 years of age.

B. "Dependent health Health benefits" means health benefits and health insurance costs allowable as deductions to the employer under Section 105 of the Code, paid by the taxpayer on behalf of the taxpayer's low-income employees for the benefit of the employees' dependents.

C. "Employing unit" has the same meaning as in Title 26, section 1043.

D. "Health benefit plan" means a plan that: