123rd MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 2171		LR 3086(02)
	An Act To Amend the Animal Welfare Laws
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "     "
	Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
			2007-08	2008-09	Projections 2009-10	Projections 2010-11
Net Cost (Savings)
	General Fund		$0	$38,478	$71,340	$72,548
Appropriations/Allocations
	General Fund		$0	$38,478	$71,340	$72,548
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
	Expands the Class D crime of aggravated cruelty to animals to include "with criminal negligence."  With the addition of this phrase, a person could be charged with a Class C crime instead of a Class D crime.  See cost detail below.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Correctional Cost Detail		FY 2009	FY 2010	FY 2011	FY 2012	FY 2013
Class C crime		$38,478	$71,340	$72,548	$73,756	$74,782
Total Cost - All Convictions		$38,478	$71,340	$72,548	$73,756	$74,782
	This estimate assumes one offender occurrence per year beginning in fiscal year 2008-09.  This cost estimate is based on all time served as a Class C crime.  The current average cost to the state for a Class C crime is $70,308 based on an average length of stay of 1 year, 10 months.  The Judicial Department expects 0-1 cases every year.  The collection of additional fines may also increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts.
	Based on this estimate, the Department of Corrections will require a General Fund appropriation of $38,478 in fiscal year 2008-09 to provide funds for costs associated with one projected incarceration per year and additional probationary costs.  The probation costs are approximately $3,624.45 per incident.
	The additional cost to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources can be absorbed by the department utilizing existing budgeted resources.