126th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 718 LR 52(02)
An Act To Protect Maine Food Consumers' Right To Know about Genetically Engineered Food and Seed Stock
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
Potential increase in the number of civil violations
Potential increase in the collection of additional fines which may increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This legislation requires disclosure of genetic engineering at the point of retail sale of food.  The legislation is contingent upon enactment of legislation requiring mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food in any four of the states listed in the bill.  If that happens, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry would incur annual General Fund costs of $128,578 for one Consumer Protection inspector position, one Office Associate II position and related administrative costs to enforce the provisions of the legislation.
The Department of the Attorney General may require additional General Fund appropriations for litigation costs.  The amount cannot be estimated at this time.