123rd MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 410 LR 1861(03)
An Act To Repeal the Certification and Authorization Fees for School Personnel
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "     "
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
2007-08 2008-09 Projections 2009-10 Projections 2010-11
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $0 $500,355 $483,873 $466,884
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $0 ($644,533) ($661,015) ($678,004)
Other Special Revenue Funds $0 $644,533 $661,015 $678,004
Revenue
General Fund $0 ($1,144,888) ($1,144,888) ($1,144,888)
Other Special Revenue Funds $0 $644,533 $661,015 $678,004
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This legislation results in a net cost to the General Fund of $500,355 in fiscal year 2008-09.
The bill includes General Fund deappropriations totaling $644,533 in fiscal year 2008-09 and corresponding Other Special Revenue Funds allocations to reflect the transfer of positions in the Certification Office within the Department of Education from the General Fund to the Certification, Authorization and Approval Fund established as a dedicated fund within the department.  Of that amount, $512,145 reflects the transfer of 6 existing positions including 1 Education Team Coordinator position, 2 Education Specialist III positions, 1 Office Assistant II position, 1 Office Associate II position and 1 Secretary position and related all other.  The balance of $132,388 reflects the transfer of the additional 2 Office Associate positions and related all other, including funds to provide the capability of electronic scanning and digital document management, that is included in the Governor's recommended budget for the 2008-2009 biennium to provide additional support to the Certification Office. 
This bill also reflects the reduction in General Fund revenue from certification fees totaling $1,144,888 in fiscal year 2008-09. Of this amount, $1,032,500 reflects the amount currently included in the revenue projections developed by the Revenue Forecasting Committee.  The balance of $112,388 reflects additional revenue included in the Governor's recommended budget for the 2008-2009 biennium that is expected to be generated above what is reflected in the current revenue projections.
It is important to note that this fiscal note assumes that the proposals put forth in the Governor's recommended budget for the 2008-2009 biennium that are related to the Certification Office within the Department of Education are approved by the Legislature.  If these proposals are not approved, this fiscal note will need to be amended.