128th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1601 LR 2333(02)
An Act To Reduce Costs to Businesses by Phasing Out the Pet Food Surcharge
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
No net revenue change - Other Special Revenue Funds
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Under current law, a $20 annual surcharge is assessed by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (ACF) on each product name of commercial feed that is pet food or that is pet food from a home-based manufacturer. The first $100,000 collected is credited to the Companion Animal Sterilization Fund (CASF) and anything over $100,000 is credited to the Animal Welfare Fund (AWF). This bill continues the $20 annual surcharge, but changes the distribution by crediting any amounts over $157,000 to the CASF, instead of to the AWF. Any amounts below $157,000 would be distributed the same way as under current statute. This will increase revenue to the CASF and decrease revenue by the same amount to the AWF in any years when the total exceeds $157,000. ACF may need to adjust allocations to the two funds to accommodate amounts collected in the future.