130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 326		LR 259(02)
	An Act To Authorize Lifetime Teaching Certificates
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium revenue increase - General Fund Future biennium revenue decrease - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	The General Fund is budgeted to receive approximately $734,888 annually from teacher certification fees.  Currently, teachers must renew their certification every 5 years at a cost of $100.  This bill authorizes lifetime teaching certificates and tasks the Department of Education with setting a reasonable one-time fee for lifetime certificates through the rule-making process.
	According to data provided by the Department of Education, there are currently 3,019 teachers that hold a valid professional teacher certificate and have taught in the State within the area of endorsement on their professional teacher certificate for at least 25 years.  Assuming an average of 604 (one-fifth) of these teachers each year opts to get a lifetime certificate and the fee is set at $100 each, there would be no change in revenue for the first five years of implementation.  Starting in year six, the loss of General Fund revenue is estimated to be $60,400 per year.  If the fee is set at $200 for a lifetime certificate, there would be a revenue gain of $60,400 for each of the first five years followed by a revenue loss of the same amount beginning in year six.  The actual gain or loss of General Fund revenue as a result of this provision will depend of the amount of the fee established for the lifetime certificates.