131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1169 LR 614(04)
An Act to Amend the Laws Governing the Foreign Credentialing and Skills Recognition Revolving Loan Program
Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with:
C "A" (H-157)
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
             
Fiscal Note
Shifts interest-free loan program to grant program - Finance Authority of Maine
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Public Law 2019, chapter 447 established the Foreign Credentialing and Skills Recognition Revolving Loan Program, administered by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) to provide interest-free loans of up to $700 to eligible immigrants who need assistance while awaiting federal employment authorization.  The loan program has received General Fund appropriations of $75,000 per year since fiscal year 2019-20 and Public Law 2023, chapter 17 continues the annual appropriations through the 2024-2025 biennium.  According to FAME, only one $700 loan has been requested and issued since the program began and the program fund currently has an unspent balance of $300,000.
This bill proposes to change the program from an interest-free loan program to a grant program and increases the maximum allowable funds that may be distributed to an applicant from $700 to $1,000.  Given the unspent balance in the program fund and General Fund appropriations included in Public Law 2023, chapter 17, no additional funding to support the grant program will be required through the 2024-2025 biennium.