130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1131 LR 669(01)
An Act To Allow Reciprocity for Licensed Workers from Out of State
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
Sponsor: Rep. Hutchins of Penobscot
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Establishes pathway for occupational license portability
Potential current biennium revenue decrease - Other Special Revenue Funds
Fiscal Detail and Notes
The intent of this bill is to allow those persons who hold occupational credentials from other states to more quickly and easily qualify for certification or licensure to work within their occupations or professions in Maine. While the licensing process proposed in this bill simplifies or streamlines the process for an applicant, it is less clear that the process for the licensing and certification entities will see the same improvement. Different entites may find ways to make the verification of licensing criteria easier, thereby reducing the time required to approve certain applicants. Other entities may not. Many of these entities on the state level are boards within and affiliated with the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. The impact to individual boards will depend on the number of applications received.
Capping the application fee for occupational licenses at no more than $100 per application may reduce the amount of dedicated revenue received by the licensing boards affected by this legislation. The impact to individual boards, and the ability of these boards to continue to operate at current levels given the reduction in revenue, can not be determined and will depend on actual experience.