127th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 933 LR 48(02)
An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Task Force To End Student Hunger in Maine
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
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 $80,755 $81,342 $84,362 $87,502
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $80,755 $81,342 $84,362 $87,502
Other Special Revenue Funds $500 $500 $500 $500
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This legislation establishes a new position to increase communication and cooperation between the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services and to monitor child hunger and nutrition programs in both departments.  It also requires the departments to provide school administrative units and schools with analyses of existing child hunger and nutrition programs and the funding not being used.  The Department of Education has indicated that a Planning & Research Associate II position will be needed to perform these duties as well as to provide staffing services to the Commission to End Student Hunger.  This bill includes General Fund appropriations of $80,255 in fiscal year 2015-16 and $80,842 in fiscal year 2016-17 to the School Finance and Operations program within the Department of Education to support the personal services and all other costs of the position. Other Special Revenue Funds base allocations of $500 per year beginning in fiscal year 2015-16 are provided to establish an account for the Commission to End Student Hunger within the Department of Education that can be used to accept contributions and other sources of funds to support the work of the commission and 4 privately funded hunger coordinators.
This bill also includes General Fund appropriations of $500 per year beginning in fiscal year 2015-16 to the Legislature for the per diem costs and other expenses of one member of the Senate and one member of the House of Representatives to participate in up to 4 meetings of the Commission to End Student Hunger during each interim period. 
Any additional costs to the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt the changes in this bill are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.