130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 636		LR 1079(01)
	An Act To Encourage the Purchase of Local Foods for Public Schools
	Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
	Sponsor: Sen. Vitelli of Sagadahoc
	Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Increase in maximum state contribution - Local Produce Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill increases the maximum contribution that a school administrative unit (SAU) may receive from the State for the purchase of produce or minimally processed foods from $1,500 per year to $7,500 per year and from $2,000 per year to $10,000 per year if the SAU sends a food service employee to local foods training.  Unless additional General Fund appropriations are made, or funding is obtained from other sources, this legislation will reduce the number of grants that can be issued for this purpose.
	The current baseline budget for the School Finance and Operations program within the Department of Education, enacted as part of Public Law 2021, chapter 29, includes $322,500 in General Fund appropriations in both fiscal year 2021-22 and fiscal year 2022-23 for the Local Produce Fund.  Under current law, this funding is sufficient to support between 160 and 215 grants per year depending on the number of grants awarded and the maximum amount of the grant.  If this legislation is enacted, the current funding will support between 32 and 43 grants at either $7,500 or $10,000 per grant, assuming the maximum amount is awarded.
	In order to provide sufficient funding to continue to support between 160 and 215 grants at the new maximum contribution levels, General Fund appropriations of between $1,290,000 and $1,827,500 per year will be required.