125th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1		LR 141(03)
	An Act To Ensure Regulatory Fairness and Reform
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with: C "A" (S-87)
	Committee: Regulatory Fairness and Reform
Fiscal Note
Current biennium cost increase - General Fund Current biennium cost increase - Highway Fund Minor revenue decrease - General Fund Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds Minor revenue decrease - Other Special Revenue Funds
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This legislation creates a Special Advocate position within the Department of Secretary of State to advocate on behalf of small business interests within the state regulatory process.  This position will be funded using an existing Deputy Secretary of State position which is currently funded 50% General Fund and 50% Highway Fund.  Funding for this position is included in the Governor's proposed Biennial Budget bills.
	Additional costs to the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), the Finance Authority of Maine and the Maine International Trade Commission to work together to submit the required application to have Maine designated as a regional center under the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program can be absorbed within each agency's existing budgeted resources.  Additional costs to DECD associated with submitting  the reports required in Part C and Part M of this legislation can also be absorbed within the departments existing budgeted resources.
	Any costs associated with establishing a voluntary Environmental Audit Program within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and associated with reorganizing the structure and functions of the Board of Environmental Protection can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.
	Any reduction in revenue collected as a result of an increase in municipalities acting as centralized permitting agents is expected to be minor.