126th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 235 LR 15(02)
An Act To Improve Insurance Coverage for Volunteer First Responders
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
Potential State Mandate - Unfunded
State Mandates
Required Activity Unit Affected Local Cost
Shifting the burden of proof from a firefighter or emergency medical services person to the municipality that an injury sustained by the claimant after receiving notification of a fire or emergency did not arise out of and in the course of employment may represent a modification or expansion of a municipal activity. Municipality Significant statewide
The required local activities in this bill may represent a State mandate pursuant to the Constitution of Maine.  Unless General Fund appropriations are provided to fund at least 90% of the additional costs or a Mandate Preamble is amended to the bill and two-thirds of the members of each House vote to exempt this mandate from the funding requirement, municipalities may not be required to implement these changes.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This legislation will increase costs to local governments in the form of both higher premiums for workers' compensation insurance and increased legal costs.  The impact to individual municipalities will depend on actual experience.