130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1595 LR 1011(01)
An Act To Address Waste Associated with Solar Energy Equipment
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
Sponsor: Rep. O'Connor of Berwick
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 Projections  FY 2023-24 Projections  FY 2024-25
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $206,853 $0 $0 $0
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $206,853 $0 $0 $0
Other Special Revenue Funds $0 $301,096 $315,062 $328,058
Revenue
Other Special Revenue Funds $0 $301,096 $315,062 $328,058
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
The additional workload associated with the minimal number of new cases filed in the court system does not require additional funding at this time.
The collection of additional fine and/or fee revenue will increase General Fund and dedicated revenue by minor amounts.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill creates new requirements for the use and disposal of solar panels and requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a recycling program for discarded solar panels. The bill establishes a fee of $125 per solar panel purchased to offset program administration costs.  The DEP has indicated that the programing requirements of this bill require additional staff and resources. While the bill allows the DEP to establish a fee structure to offset the program's costs, the DEP will require initial General Fund appropriations of $206,853 for one Environmental Specialist IV, 2 Environmental Specialist III positions and associated costs.  The DEP anticipates that fees will fund the positions starting in fiscal year 2022-23.  The DEP will require ongoing allocations of $301,096 starting in fiscal year 2022-23 for the same positions and associated costs. 
Because this bill allows, but does not require, funds from the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) within the Department of Economic and Community Development to be used to fund the development of a recycling process as well as the design and construction of recycling equipment and an approved recycling facility, this bill does not have a fiscal impact on MTI.