127th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1185		LR 1510(02)
	An Act To Establish the Municipal Gigabit Broadband Network Access Fund
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
	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		$6,014,693	$19,869	$20,573	$0
Appropriations/Allocations
	General Fund		$6,014,693	$19,869	$20,573	$0
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill includes one-time General Fund appropriations totaling $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2015-16 to the newly established Municipal Gigabit Broadband Network Access Fund within the ConnectME Authority (ConnectME) for the costs associated with addressing the need in the State for access to ultra high-speed broadband infrastructure. Of this amount, $500,000 is appropriated for the cost to administer and hire outside consultant services for the project and $5,500,000 is appropriated for one-time planning and implementation grants to communities and municipalities to support public-private partnerships to establish a municipal gigabit fiber-optic broadband network in their regions. The bill also includes General Fund appropriations of $14,693 in fiscal year 2015-16 and $19,869 in fiscal year 2016-17 for one part-time Management Analyst I position to assist ConnectME in administering this fund. This position will operate until June 30, 2018.