123rd MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1345		LR 1991(02)
	An Act To Simplify Standards for Determining Independent Contractor Status for Unemployment Compensation Purposes
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "     "
	Committee: Labor
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Undetermined current biennium savings - Federal Expenditures Fund
			2007-08	2008-09	Projections 2009-10	Projections 2010-11
Net Cost (Savings)
	General Fund		$652,306	$633,229	$664,891	$698,135
Appropriations/Allocations
	General Fund		$652,306	$633,229	$664,891	$698,135
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill includes ongoing General Fund appropriations of $652,306 in fiscal year 2007-08 and $633,229 in fiscal year 2008-09 to the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation within the Department of Labor for 1 Hearings Officer position, 2 Legal Secretary positions, 1 Paralegal position, 1 Assistant Attorney General position and 6 Field Advisor and Examiner positions and related all other to support the additional qualifying, tracking, administrative and adjudicating requirements associated with determining that the status of an individual worker, group of workers or job classification is that of an employee or independent contractor.
	Amending the definition of "independent contractor" under the laws governing unemployment compensation to make it consistent with the term used under laws governing workers' compensation may result in fewer "independent contractors" being eligible for unemployment benefits.  The number of independent contractors that may be impacted and the affect on the contribution rate schedules or Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund level can not be determined at this time.