Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §131, as amended by PL 1989, c. 501, Pt. P, §7 and PL 1995, c. 502, Pt. E, §30, is further amended to read:

§131. Departmental collections

Every department and agency of the State, whether located at the Capitol or not, collecting or receiving public money, or money from any source whatsoever, belonging to or for the use of the State, or for the use of any state department or agency, shall pay the same immediately into the State Treasury, without any deductions on account of salaries, fees, costs, charges, expenses, refunds, claims or demands of any description whatsoever. The Bureau of Parks and Lands shall be allowed to may refund daily use and camping fees based on the Bureau of Parks and Lands standard refund policies. Any department or agency may shall deposit such money to the credit of the State upon communicating with the Treasurer of State and receiving from the Treasurer of State instructions as to what state depository may be used for that purpose and in every such case, the depositor shall send to the Treasurer of State a statement of the deposits certified by the bank receiving it them. Beginning October 1, 2003, notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the Treasurer of State shall deposit into the General Fund all public money received as fines, forfeitures, fees and penalties imposed and collected by every department and agency of the State. This section shall does not apply to county or town officers.

Sec. 2. Statutory revisions. The Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services shall prepare legislation that amends the Maine Revised Statutes to reflect the intent of this Act. The commissioner shall submit this legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 121st Legislature no later than November 1, 2003.

SUMMARY

This bill requires, beginning October 1, 2003, all fines, forfeitures, fees and penalties collected by a department or agency of the State to be deposited into the General Fund. This bill requires the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services to submit legislation that amends the Maine Revised Statutes to change any provisions of current law to effectuate the intent of this bill.