122nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1021 LR 0263(10)
An Act To Implement Task Force Recommendations Relating to Parity and Portability of Benefits for Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters
Fiscal Note for Senate Amendment "   " to Committee Amendment "   "
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe-Mello
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
   
             
Fiscal Note
Projections Projections
2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $0 $0 ($3,413,255) ($3,810,148)
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund  $0 $0 ($3,413,255) ($3,810,148)
Other Funds $0 ($81,000) ($109,392) ($111,894)
Revenue
Other Funds $0 $282,750 $592,644 $621,091
Fiscal Detail and Notes
The numbers above represent the incremental differences between the majority and minority reports.  As amended by the minority, the bill requires participants in the newly created Retired County and Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and Municipal Firefighters Health Insurance Program to make contributions for 5 years in order to be eligible for coverage under the program.  The amendment establishes the contribution, effective January 1, 2007, equal to 2.0% of gross wages.   For the purposes of this fiscal note, it is assumed that all of the estimated 2,900 active law enforcement officers and firefighters would be required to participate, paying the 2.0% assessment on an average salary of $30,000. The amendment's premium subsidy payments toward the cost of health insurance for eligible, pre-Medicare, retired law enforcement officers and firefighters would not take effect until January 1, 2012, and would be self-funded by employee contributions made to the program.