Mainers could start receiving $450 checks by the end of the month following the Legislature’s approval Wednesday of a heating aid package.

The $474 million plan will send the checks to single tax filers making $100,000 or less or $200,000 for couples filing jointly. An estimated 880,000 Mainers will receive the checks, which will mean $900 for most families.

In addition, the package has $40 million in supplemental funding for the low-income heating assistance program, $10 million for emergency fuel assistance and $21 million to support emergency housing and shelters.

The House voted 114-29 in support, followed by the Senate 24-10.

Gov. Janet Mills, who proposed the legislation, signed the bill late Wednesday afternoon just hours before being sworn-in for a second term.

"I thank the Legislature for its strong, bipartisan vote, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to implement long-term solutions that will bring down energy costs, improve energy efficiency, and reduce Maine's highest-in-the-nation dependence on expensive and harmful fossil fuels," she said in a statement.

Lawmakers first voted on the bill in December, but it was blocked by Senate Republicans who called for a public hearing. After a seven-hour hearing, a bipartisan legislative panel gave unanimous approval to the measure.

Mills proposed the bill, which relies mostly on surplus state funds, amid high heating fuel prices.

The statewide average price for a gallon of heating oil is $4.50 per gallon, kerosene is $6.35 and propane is $3.27, according to the governor’s energy office.

The bill passed Wednesday after attempts to amend it were defeated in the House and Senate, including a proposal to replace the $450 checks with a sales tax holiday put forward by Auburn Republicans Rep. Laurel Libby and Sen. Eric Brakey.

Several Senate Republicans continued to express concern that long-term solutions are needed to address high heating costs and affordable housing.