129th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 347 LR 1484(03)
An Act To Provide Sustainable Funding for Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with:
C "A" (H-206)
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
             
Fiscal Note
Future biennium revenue decrease - Maine Budget Stabilization Fund
Future biennium revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill would change how the revenues from the Liquor Operation Revenue Fund (LORF) are used after all liquor operation revenue bonds and ancillary obligations have been paid off in fiscal year 2023-24. Current law requires that after the bonds are paid off 15% of the revenue is to be divided equally between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Environmental Protection for revolving loan funds for drinking water systems and wastewater treatment, 35% will go to the Department of Transportation for construction of highways and bridges and 50% will go to the Maine Budget Stabilization Fund.   
The new distribution of the LORF revenue after fiscal year 2023-24 would be as follows: 30% instead of 15% is to be divided 45/55 instead of equally between the DHHS and the DEP with 45% to DHHS for revolving loans for drinking water systems and 55% to the DEP for revolving loans for wastewater treatment; 35% will still go to the Department of Transportation for construction of highways and bridges and 35% instead of 50% will go to the Maine Budget Stabilization Fund. These changes would all occur after June of 2024.
The bill also contains provisions to maximize the amount of federal matching funds that may be received for the drinking water and wastewater programs.