Sec. 1. 39-A MRSA §153, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 885, Pt. A, §8 and affected by §§9 to 11, is amended to read:

2. Troubleshooter program. The board shall establish a troubleshooter program to provide information and assistance to participants in the workers' compensation system informally resolve disputes over work injuries.__A troubleshooter shall conduct a factual investigation of disputed work injuries, gather medical records relating to the claimed injury and make a thorough attempt to resolve the dispute. The troubleshooter may meet or otherwise communicate with employees, employers, insurance carriers and health care providers in order to prevent or informally resolve disputes. The troubleshooter shall provide information and assistance to participants in the workers' compensation system.

Sec. 2. 39-A MRSA §154, sub-§6, as amended by PL 1999, c. 359, §1, is further amended to read:

6. Assessment levied. The assessments levied under this section may not be designed to produce more than $6,000,000 in revenues annually beginning in the 1995-96 fiscal year, more than $6,600,000 annually beginning in the 1997-98 fiscal year or, more than $6,735,000 beginning in the 1999-00 fiscal year or more than $7,035,000 beginning in fiscal year 2001-02. Assessments collected that exceed $6,000,000 beginning in the 1995-96 fiscal year, $6,600,000 beginning in the 1997-98 fiscal year or $6,735,000 beginning in the 1999-00 fiscal year or $7,035,000 beginning in fiscal year 2001-02 by a margin of more than 10% must be refunded to those who paid the assessment. Any amount collected above the board's allocated budget and within the 10% margin must be used to create a reserve of up to 1/4 of the board's annual budget. Any collected amounts or savings above the allowed reserve must be used to reduce the assessment for the following fiscal year. The board shall determine the assessments prior to May 1st and shall assess each insurance company or association and self-insured employer its pro rata share for expenditures during the fiscal year beginning July 1st. Each self-insured employer shall pay the assessment on or before June 1st. Each insurance company or association shall pay the assessment in accordance with subsection 3.

Sec. 3. Allocation. The following funds are allocated from Other Special Revenue Funds to carry out the purposes of this Act.

2001-02 2002-03

WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD