122nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 455 LR 0026(01)
An Act To Create a Paperless Legislature and Encourage More Working-income Legislators by Allocating Savings Resulting from a Reduction in the Size of the Legislature
Fiscal Note for Original Bill
Sponsor: Rep. Faircloth of Bangor
Committee: State and Local Government
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
   
             
Fiscal Note
No net cost to use contingent savings
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This legislation is contingent on the implementation of companion bill LD 461, Resolution, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Reduce the Size of the Legislature.  The projected cost of the redistricting in fiscal year 2005-06, as identified in LD 461, is $400,000.  The projected savings in fiscal year 2006-07, as identified in LD 461, is $2,039,005.  The net savings in the 2006-07 biennium is $1,639,005.  This legislation proposes to utilize those net savings as follows: depositing one-third into the General Fund, $546,335; one-third to increase the pay of legislators, $546,335; and one-third to provide high speed access and internal networking at the desks of legislators and in committee, $546,335.  The estimated cost to provide laptops to legislators and activate Chamber and committee room network connections is approximately $800,000, which is greater than the amount available in the first biennium.  Estimated annual ongoing operating cost of this proposal is $87,500.