122nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1102 LR 0854(02)
An Act To Connect the BETR Program with Job Retention
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "   "
Committee: Taxation
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
   
             
Fiscal Note
Undetermined revenue increase - General Fund
Projections Projections
2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $0 $87,335 $59,426 $60,911
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $0 $87,335 $59,426 $60,911
Revenue
General Fund $0 not known not known not known
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill is expected to increase General Fund revenue by a significant amount as a result of the limitation on Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement (BETR) program benefits.  The exact amount by fiscal year can not be determined at this time and will depend on actual job losses and the timing of rebate payments.  The current economic forecast projects additional job losses in manufacturing and reimbursement for property used in manufacturing represents over 80% of BETR benefit costs.  Based on these two factors, the provisions contained in this bill could potentially reduce the cost of BETR benefits by well over 50%.  50% of the projected General Fund cost of program benefits in fiscal year 2007-08 is approximately $37,000,000.  This bill includes a General Fund appropriation of $87,335 in fiscal year 2006-07 for Maine Revenue Services for the administrative costs associated with these changes, including funds for one Tax Examiner position to perform compliance reviews.