132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1771		LR 981(02)
	An Act to Strengthen Oversight of Kennels by Changing the Licensing Authority from Municipalities to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
			FY 2025-26	FY 2026-27	Projections  FY 2027-28	Projections  FY 2028-29
Appropriations/Allocations
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$21,577	$21,577	$21,577	$21,577
Revenue
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$21,577	$21,577	$21,577	$21,577
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (ACF) to issue kennel licenses in place of municipalities. It establishes a tiered fee structure based on the number of dogs per kennel and directs the ACF to distribute 20% of the revenue collected to municipalities, with the remaining 80% deposited into the Animal Welfare Fund. Because total revenue will depend on the number and size of licensed kennels, an exact estimate is not available at this time.
	The bill also increases fees on existing facility licenses. These fee increases are expected to generate $21,577 in additional Other Special Revenue Funds revenue for the ACF beginning in fiscal year 2025-26. The bill includes a corresponding allocation to authorize expenditure of the additional revenue.