132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1349 LR 1724(02)
An Act to Require Legislative Approval for a Contract to Operate the Juniper Ridge Landfill
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill requires a majority vote of the Legislature to allow the Bureau of General Services within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to enter into or renew a contract for the operation of the state-owned Juniper Ridge Landfill, located in the City of Old Town. Failure by the Legislature to approve an operating services agreement, or extension, may result in the closure of Juniper Ridge Landfill, the only operational State‐owned landfill. Nullification of the indemnity clause in the current operating services agreement would transfer multi‐million dollar closure and post-closure financial liability from the current operator to the State. Additionally, costs to contract with a new operator may incur additional costs to the State than originally negotiated in 2004. A more precise fiscal estimate cannot be determined at this time.