127th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 231 LR 159(02)
An Act To Ensure That Schoolchildren with Dyslexia Receive the Assistance Needed
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
State Mandate - Unfunded
FY 2015-16 FY 2016-17 Projections  FY 2017-18 Projections  FY 2018-19
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $73,004 $101,793 $105,418 $109,188
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $73,004 $101,793 $105,418 $109,188
State Mandates
Required Activity Unit Affected Local Cost
Requires school administrative units to screen certain students for dyslexia. School Moderate statewide
The required local activities in this bill may represent a State mandate pursuant to the Constitution of Maine.  Unless General Fund appropriations are provided to fund at least 90% of the additional costs or a Mandate Preamble is amended to the bill and two-thirds of the members of each House vote to exempt this mandate from the funding requirement, municipalities may not be required to implement these changes.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill includes General Fund appropriations of $73,004 in fiscal year 2015-16 and $101,793 in fiscal year 2016-17 to the Special Services Team program within the Department of Education for the personal services and all other costs for one Education Specialist III position to serve as a dyslexia coordinator within the department effective October 1, 2015.
Although this bill contains General Fund appropriations to fund the dyslexia coordinator position, the Governor's proposed 2016-2017 biennial budget includes an initiative to create a federally funded Education Specialist III position as part of a proposal to reorganize the Special Services Team.  According to the department, this position, if approved, can be used for the dyslexia coordinator and the General Fund position included in this bill will not be needed.  Depending on the final actions of the Legislature on the 2016-2017 biennial budget, this fiscal note may need to be adjusted.