127th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 120 LR 703(03)
An Act To Provide a Tax Credit to Maine Residents for Turnpike Tolls
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Taxation
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
FY 2015-16 FY 2016-17 Projections  FY 2017-18 Projections  FY 2018-19
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $8,400,000 $8,360,000 $8,360,000 $8,360,000
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $40,000 $0 $0 $0
Revenue
General Fund ($8,360,000) ($8,360,000) ($8,360,000) ($8,360,000)
Other Special Revenue Funds ($440,000) ($440,000) ($440,000) ($440,000)
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This legislation creates an income tax credit for all users of the Maine Turnpike of up to $100.  General Fund and Local Government Fund revenues are expected to decrease beginning in fiscal year 2015-16 by $8,360,000 and $440,000, respectively.  This analysis assumes all volume discount and business turnpike users with a Maine address would be eligible for the full credit and other users with a Maine address would be eligible for an average $60 credit.  It also assumes 25% of the people eligible for the credit will not take advantage of it for various reasons.
The bill includes a General Fund appropriation to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services of $40,000 in fiscal year 2015-16 for computer programming and administrative costs to accommodate the tax credit on the income tax returns.  
If the Maine Turnpike Authority experienced a significant increase in cash paying users requesting receipts, it may incur significant costs to add toll collectors and additional cash lanes.