130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1541		LR 1620(02)
	An Act To Support and Improve Municipal Recycling Programs and Save Taxpayer Money
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
			FY 2021-22	FY 2022-23	Projections  FY 2023-24	Projections  FY 2024-25
Net Cost (Savings)
	General Fund		$131,292	$182,758	$191,047	$0
Appropriations/Allocations
	General Fund		$131,292	$182,758	$191,047	$0
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$0	$0	$0	$207,908
Revenue
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$0	$0	$0	$300,000
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill establishes a stewardship program for packaging material to be operated by a stewardship organization contracted by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) following a competitive bidding process. Participating parties will pay costs related to the stewardship programs. The bill authorizes the DEP to establish fees paid by participants in the programs to offset department costs associated with overseeing the program requirements. The DEP has indicated that the programing requirements of this bill require additional staff and resources. While the bill allows the DEP to establish a fee structure to offset the program's costs, it will require initial General Fund appropriations of $131,292 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $182,758 in fiscal year 2022-23 for one Environmental Specialist IV position, one Environmental Specialist III position and associated costs. It is anticipated that new fees will fund the positions starting in fiscal year 2024-25 and allocations will be required at that time to allow expenditure of the new revenue.