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131st MAINE LEGISLATURE |
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LD 1452 |
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LR 2280(02) |
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An Act to Require
the Commissioners of the Public Utilities Commission to Be Popularly Elected |
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Fiscal Note for
Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " " |
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Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology |
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Fiscal Note Required: Yes |
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| Fiscal Note |
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FY 2023-24 |
FY 2024-25 |
Projections FY 2025-26 |
Projections FY 2026-27 |
| Net Cost
(Savings) |
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General Fund |
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$0 |
$1,200,000 |
$2,800,000 |
$0 |
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| Appropriations/Allocations |
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Other Special Revenue Funds |
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$0 |
$1,200,000 |
$2,800,000 |
$498,594 |
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| Revenue |
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Other Special Revenue Funds |
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$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$498,594 |
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| Transfers |
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General Fund |
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$0 |
($1,200,000) |
($2,800,000) |
$0 |
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Other Special Revenue Funds |
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$0 |
$1,200,000 |
$2,800,000 |
$0 |
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| Referendum
Costs |
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Month/Year |
Election Type |
Question |
Length |
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Nov-26 |
General |
Election |
Standard |
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The Secretary of
State's budget includes sufficient funds to accommodate one ballot of average
length for the general election in November. If the number or size of the
referendum questions requires production and delivery of a second ballot, an
additional appropriation of $266,000 may be required. |
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| Fiscal Detail
and Notes |
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This bill
establishes 2 additional members of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and
directs that these members are elected instead of appointed. The bill also
provides that candidates for these elections are eligible for funding under
the Maine Clean Elections Act (MCEA). Under current statute, the Commission
on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices may request additional funding
in the form of a transfer from the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund
if the number of candidates qualifying for funding under the MCEA exceeds the
funding available. The bill includes a transfer and allocation of $1,200,000
in the fiscal year 2024-25 and estimates an additional transfer and
allocation of $2,800,000 will be required in fiscal year 2025-26 for additional
candidates running for the elected PUC Commissioner positions. The PUC will
require allocations of $498,594 starting in the fiscal year 2026-27 for the
salary and benefits related to the 2 additional positions once they are
elected. |
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