§3153-A. Dairy stabilization subsidy

If the base price of milk falls below $16.94 per hundredweight in any month beginning September 1, 2003 and ending December 31, 2003 May 31, 2004, the administrator of the Maine Milk Pool shall distribute to Maine milk producers on a per hundredweight basis 55% 40% for the months of January to May 2004 of the difference between $16.94 per hundredweight and the base price of milk per hundredweight. The amount distributed for milk produced during the period between September 1, 2003 and December 31, 2003 January 1, 2004 and May 31, 2004 may not exceed $3,000,000 $2,100,000. The Governor shall provide these funds to the Maine milk pool administrator for distribution to Maine milk producers, as provided for in this section, during the months of October 2003 to January June 2004. The base price of milk is the Suffolk County, Massachusetts Class I price of milk as determined for each month by the Northeast Market Administrator of the United States Department of Agriculture. The Governor shall seek a General Fund appropriation during the Second Regular Session of the 121st Legislature if needed for the purposes of this section.

Sec. 2. PL 2003, c. 513, Pt. C, §1 is repealed.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

Effective February 20, 2004.