An Act To Correct a Technical Error Pertaining to the Dairy Improvement Fund

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 2910-B and Title 10, section 1023-P establish the Dairy Improvement Fund to provide loans to assist dairy farmers in making capital improvements to maintain and enhance the viability of their farms; and

Whereas,  a technical error during the initial creation of the fund resulted in a failure to provide for a base allocation of funds to the Finance Authority of Maine for the provision of loans and to pay the costs of administering the fund; and

Whereas,  this allocation of funds is necessary to begin operation of the loan program immediately; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

FINANCE AUTHORITY OF MAINE

Dairy Improvement Fund Z143

Initiative: Provides a base allocation to authorize expenditures of funds received by the Finance Authority of Maine to provide loans to assist dairy farmers in making capital improvements and to pay the administrative costs of administering the fund.

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2017-18	2018-19
All Other	$0	$500
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$0	$500

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes a base allocation of funds to the Finance Authority of Maine for the operation of the Dairy Improvement Fund.