121st Maine Legislature
		Office of Fiscal and Program Review
		LD 859
		An Act To Require That the Costs Associated with Enacting a Direct Initiative Appear on the Ballot
		LR 0616(01)
		Fiscal Note for Original Bill
		Sponsor: Rep. Shields of Auburn
		Committee: Legal and Veterans Affairs
		Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	The requirement that ballots for an initiative referenda contain a fiscal impact statement may increase the General Fund costs to the Department of the Secretary of State by increasing the length of the ballots.  The Secretary of State's budget includes sufficient funds to accommodate one ballot of average length for the general election in November. If the size of the referendum questions increases the ballot length, an additional appropriation of $8,000 or more may be required.  The amounts will depend on the number of initiative referenda and the length of the fiscal impact statement.