Sec. 1. 26 MRSA §664, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2001, c. 297, §1, is further amended to read:

1. Minimum wage. The minimum hourly wage is $5.15 per hour. Starting January 1, 2002, the minimum hourly wage is $5.75 per hour. Starting January 1, 2003, the minimum hourly wage is $6.25 per hour. Starting October 1, 2003, the minimum hourly wage is $6.65 per hour.__Starting October 1, 2004, the minimum hourly wage is $7 per hour. If the highest federal minimum wage is increased in excess of the minimum wage in effect under this section, the minimum wage under this section is 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 the minimum wage otherwise in effect under this section by more than $1.00 $1 per hour.

SUMMARY

This bill increases the minimum wage from the current $6.25 per hour to $6.65 per hour beginning October 1, 2003 and to $7 per hour beginning October 1, 2004.