128th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1809		LR 2840(02)
	An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Issuance of Burn Permits
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
			FY 2017-18	FY 2018-19	Projections  FY 2019-20	Projections  FY 2020-21
Net Cost (Savings)
	General Fund		$0	$52,739	$52,739	$52,739
Appropriations/Allocations
	General Fund		$0	$9,600	$9,600	$9,600
Revenue
	General Fund		$0	($43,139)	($43,139)	($43,139)
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill directs the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (ACF) to allow municipalities to use third-party internet based software to issue burn permits so long as the software meets statutory requirements and is approved by ACF. The bill eliminates the $7 fee ACF charged for electronically issued burn permits via their online permit system. Currently, $4 is deposited into the General Fund, $2 is transferred to the municipality where the permit was issued and $1 goes to InforME for the administrative cost of the online permit system. In unorganized areas, $6 of the fee is deposited into the General Fund and $1 is for the administrative costs of InforME. Beginning in fiscal year 2018-19, elimination of the fee will reduce annual General Fund revenue by $43,139, reduce revenue to municipalities by approximately $20,000 a year and reduce revenue available to pay InforME by $9,600. The bill includes an ongoing General Fund appropriation to ACF of $9,600 beginning in fiscal year 2018-19 to continue to pay InforME for burn permits issued through the state online system.