123rd MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 399 LR 954(01)
An Act To Require Impact Statements from Potential Purchasers of Public Utilities and Those Who Apply To Extract Natural Resources
Fiscal Note for Original Bill
Sponsor: Rep. Schatz of Blue Hill
Committee: Natural Resources
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium revenue decrease - Other Special Revenue Funds
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Requiring that impact statements must be submitted prior to the issuance of leases, permits or licenses to commercially extract natural resources may reduce Other Special Revenue Funds collected by the Bureau of Parks and Lands within the Department of Conservation from timber harvesting on public lands.  This assumes that the significant costs of producing meaningful impact statements could be reflected in lower commercial bids and may deter commercial timber harvesters from making bids.  The amount of lost revenue will depend on the financial decisions made by commercial harvesters.  The additional cost of collecting and processing the impact statements can be absorbed by state agencies.