125th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 40		LR 103(01)
	RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Reduce the Size of the House of Representatives
	Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
	Sponsor: Rep. Cotta of China
	Committee: State and Local Government
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Current biennium cost increase - General Fund Potential future biennium savings - General Fund Potential future biennium savings - Other Special Revenue Funds
Referendum Costs		Month/Year	Election Type	Question	Length
		Nov-11	General	Referendum	Standard
	The Secretary of State's budget includes sufficient funds to accommodate one ballot of average length for the general election in November.  If the number or size of the referendum questions requires production and delivery of a second ballot, an additional appropriation of $107,250 may be required.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	If approved by the voters, this constitutional amendment would reduce the House of Representatives membership from 151 to 131 members beginning with the 2015 Legislature.  This reduction will result General Fund savings to the Legislature associated with 20 representatives.  The projected future savings for the legislative biennium are estimated to be $856,610 in fiscal year 2014-15 and $625,974 in fiscal year 2015-16.  Some of these savings may be offset with one-time costs to renovate the House Chamber, which depend on the  extent of the renovation decided by the Legislative Council.
	This reduction will also result in Other Special Revenue Funds savings of $195,770 in fiscal year 2014-15 to the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices due to reduced payments to qualifying candidates.  This estimate assumes that there will be an increase in contested primary races in 2014 due to the normal redistricting which will occur in 2013.  It also assumes initial payment amounts to qualifying candidates will increase by 4% each election.
	Other Special Revenue Funds revenue to the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices would decrease by $10,200 in fiscal year 2014-15 due to a reduction in qualifying contributions collected by participating candidates.