123rd MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1318		LR 1868(01)
	Resolve, To Require the Department of Marine Resources and the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability To Conduct an Independent  Review and Audit of the Public Health Division
	Fiscal Note for Original Bill
	Sponsor: Rep. Webster of Freeport
	Committee: Marine Resources
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
			2007-08	2008-09	Projections 2009-10	Projections 2010-11
Net Cost (Savings)
	General Fund		$60,000	$0	$0	$0
Appropriations/Allocations
	General Fund		$60,000	$0	$0	$0
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This legislation will require a General Fund appropriation to the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability in the amount of $60,000 in fiscal year 2007-08 for consultant services to perform the independent review of the water quality assessment functions of the Public Health Divison of the Department of Marine Resources.  OPEGA's proposed budget  for 2007-08 includes approximately $150,000 for consulting services.  While these funds have not been programmed for specific reviews, earmarking them would limit the ability to contract for services for other purposes.
	Also, approximately 400 hours of OPEGA staff resources will be required to prepare and distribute the RFP, select the vendor, monitor the vendor's work and prepare a final report.  These costs can be absorbed within OPEGA's existing budgeted resources provided that the combination of this project with other mandated efforts does not exceed existing resource capacity.  The abiltiy and flexibility of the Government Oversight Committee to direct OPEGA to perform other reviews during this time period may be reduced.
	The Department of Marine Resources will incur minor additional costs to work with OPEGA to complete this study.