130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1541		LR 1620(03)
	An Act To Support and Improve Municipal Recycling Programs and Save Taxpayer Money
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Future biennium cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds Future biennium revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill establishes stewardship programs for packaging material overseen by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Participating parties that sell or distribute products containing certain types of packaging material would choose to create individual programs, coordinate with other parties, or utilize a third-party administrator when developing programs to meet the packaging stewardship requirements. Participating parties would pay costs related to the stewardship programs. The bill authorizes the DEP to establish fees paid by participants in the programs to offset department costs related to overseeing the program requirements. DEP has indicated that additional staffing will be required and estimates the department will require allocations of $285,860 in fiscal year 2023-24 and $294,123 in fiscal year 2024-25 for one Environmental Specialist III position, one Environmental Specialist IV postions and associated All Other costs. It is anticipated that the DEP will be able to fund the increased allocations with the new fees.