131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 2224 LR 3066(02)
An Act to Strengthen Public Safety by Improving Maine's Firearm Laws and Mental Health System
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Judiciary
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 Projections  FY 2025-26 Projections  FY 2026-27
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $0 $1,032,000 $1,032,000 $1,032,000
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $0 $1,032,000 $1,032,000 $1,032,000
Federal Expenditures Fund $0 $224,118 $230,302 $236,672
Federal Block Grant Fund $0 $114,935 $118,096 $121,353
Revenue
Federal Expenditures Fund $0 $224,118 $235,277 $245,925
Federal Block Grant Fund $0 $114,935 $119,913 $125,120
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
Elevates from Class D to Class C the crime of intentionally, knowingly or recklessly selling or transferring a firearm to a person who is prohibited from owning, possessing or having under that person's control a firearm.  Establishes a Class C crime for a seller who is not a federally licensed firearms dealer to complete a transaction unless the seller facilitates the transaction through a federally licensed firearms dealer and the dealer performs a background check of the seller by using the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

This bill may increase the number of civil suits filed in the court system. The additional workload associated with the minimal number of new cases does not require additional funding at this time.
The collection of additional fines and filing fees will increase General Fund or other dedicated revenue by minor amounts.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
The bill includes General Fund appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services of $1,032,000 in fiscal year 2024-25 to create the new Injury and Violence Prevention Program. The bill also includes one-time Federal Expenditures Fund and Federal Block Grant Fund allocations to establish one limited-period Health Program Manager position and one limited-period Public Health Education III position through June 12, 2027 and provides funding for related All Other costs.
Any additional costs to the Department of Public Safety associated with this legislation are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.