128th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1872		LR 2929(02)
	An Act To Enhance the Operations of the Telecommunications Relay Services Advisory Council
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
			FY 2017-18	FY 2018-19	Projections  FY 2019-20	Projections  FY 2020-21
Appropriations/Allocations
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$150,000	$600,000	$600,000	$600,000
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill changes the name of the Telecommunications Relay Services Advisory Council to the Telecommunications Relay Services Council (TRSC). Currently, TRSC members are not authorized to receive compensation or reimbursement for expenses. This bill authorizes reimbursement for member expenses and the cost of holding public meetings. The bill also requires the PUC to forward the annual budget amount requested by the TRSC, now capped at $600,000, to the TRSC in quarterly installments without changing the amount requested. Funding is from the Maine Universal Service Fund, just as it is under current law and will be credited to the newly created Telecommunications Relay Services Council Fund. The bill includes allocations to the TRSC of $150,000 in fiscal year 2017-18 and $600,000 in fiscal year 2018-19. Finally, the bill grants an exemption to the TRSC from certain state purchasing rules related to competitive bidding.