125th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 804		LR 297(01)
	RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Establish a Unicameral Legislature
	Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
	Sponsor: Rep. Valentino of Saco
	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 Potential future biennium revenue decrease - 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, the reduction in the number of Legislators, 35 fewer, would result in future cost savings to the Legislature beginning in fiscal year 2016-17.  The projected future cost savings to the Legislature in fiscal year 2016-17, a First Regular Session, are estimated to be approximately $4,651,851, which includes elimination of staff for the Senate.  In fiscal year 2017-18, the Second Regular Session, the projected future cost savings are estimated to be approximately $4,435,515.  These savings estimates could increase or decrease depending on certain policy decisions that will need to be made, such as the total number of positions needed to support the Unicameral Legislature, the number of committees that will be established and any changes in process.  Some of these savings may also be reduced by one-time renovation costs depending on future decisions for the use of the vacated Senate Chamber.
	The amount of payments made through the Maine Clean Election Fund would be reduced beginning in fiscal year 2015-16.  The amount of savings which could be realized is estimated to be $2,600,000 for the 2016 election cycle.  With fewer candidates, the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices assumes it will not need to hire a Planning and Research Assistant for the 2016 election cycle, which would provide additional Other Special Revenue Funds savings of approximately $31,000.
	Other Special Revenue Funds revenue would also be reduced by an estimated $66,000 in fiscal year 2015-16 due to fewer candidates and the related qualifying contributions.