121st Maine Legislature
		Office of Fiscal and Program Review
		LD 1189
		An Act To Establish the Commission for the Blind
		LR 1427(01)
		Fiscal Note for Original Bill
		Sponsor: Sen. Gilman of Cumberland
		Committee: State and Local Government
		Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill transfers all staff and program dollars associated with the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired from the Department of Labor to the new Commission for the Blind within the Executive Department.  LD 1319, as amended, the Current Services budget for the 2004-2005 biennium, includes funding for the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired within the Department of Labor.  The breakdown of the funding is as follows:
	- General Fund appropriations of $2,998,220 in fiscal year 2003-04 and $3,049,218 in fiscal year 2004-05,           including funding for 9.5 positions.
	-  Federal Expenditures Fund allocations of $3,703,972 and $3,771,543 in fiscal years 2003-04 and 2004-05, respectively, including funding for 24.5 positions.
	-  Other Special Revenue Funds allocations of $194,499 in fiscal year 2003-04 and $200,938 in fiscal year 2004-05 including funding for 2.0 positions.
	-  The Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired is also expected to receive $4,944,732 and $5,031,260 in federal funds and $563,998 and $576,876 in dedicated funds in fiscal years 2003-04 and 2004-05, respectively.
	-  If this legislation is approved, these funds and the associated positions will be transferred from the Department of Labor to the Commission for the Blind within the Executive Department.