125th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 659 LR 1432(01)
An Act To Repeal the Maine Clean Election Laws
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
Sponsor: Rep. Libby of Waterboro
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
FY 2011-12 FY 2012-13 Projections  FY 2013-14 Projections  FY 2014-15
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund ($1,774,631) ($1,767,303) ($1,758,533) ($1,749,493)
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $415,369 $422,697 $431,467 $440,507
Other Special Revenue Funds ($3,522,676) ($1,539,543) ($5,582,649) ($2,286,155)
Revenue
General Fund $2,190,000 $2,190,000 $2,190,000 $2,190,000
Other Special Revenue Funds ($2,327,500) ($2,190,000) ($2,369,750) ($2,190,000)
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill proposes to repeal the Maine Clean Election Act.  It would result in an Other Special Revenue Funds deallocation to the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices of $3,522,676 in fiscal year 2011-12 and $1,539,543 in fiscal year 2012-13 from eliminating one Auditor II position and one Registration and Reporting Officer position, eliminating payments to candidates, and transferring the cost of one Registration and Reporting Officer position, one Secretary Associate Legal position, one Public Service Executive I position, one Public Service Manager I position and one Planning and Research Assistant position from Other Special Revenue Funds to General Fund.  The Commission will require a General Fund appropriation of $418,299 in fiscal year 2011-12 and $425,627 in fiscal year 2012-13 for personal services and related costs associated with the 5 positions transferred above.  These positions relate to functions that will continue after repeal of the Maine Clean Election Act.
General Fund revenues will be increased by $2,190,000 beginning in fiscal year 2011-12 from repealing the Maine Clean Election Act.  Other Special Revenue Funds revenue will decrease by $2,327,500 in fiscal year 2011-12 and $2,190,000 in fiscal year 2012-13 from eliminating the General Fund transfer to the Maine Clean Election Fund and no longer collecting qualifying contributions from candidates.
Repealing the provision for a check-off for the Maine Clean Election Fund on the Maine state tax form will reduce administrative costs to Maine Revenue Services, which would receive an ongoing annual de-appropriation of $2,930 commencing in fiscal year 2011-12.