126th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 134		LR 281(01)
	RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Reduce the Size of the Legislature
	Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
	Sponsor: Rep. Brooks of Winterport
	Committee: State and Local Government
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Current biennium cost increase - General Fund Potential future biennium savings - General Fund Potential future biennium savings - Other Special Revenue Funds
Referendum Costs		Month/Year	Election Type	Question	Length
		Nov-13	General	Referendum	Standard
	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 $107,250 may be required.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	If approved by the voters, this constitutional amendment would reduce the House of Representatives membership from 151 to 101 members and the Senate membership from 35 to 25 beginning with the 128th Legislature.  This reduction would result in General Fund savings to the Legislature associated with 60 fewer legislators.  The projected future savings for the legislative biennium are estimated to be $2,593,214 in fiscal year 2016-17 and $2,174,758 in fiscal year 2017-18.  Some of these savings may be offset with one-time costs to renovate the House Chamber, which would depend on the extent of the renovation decided by the Legislative Council.
	The Legislature would also require an additional General Fund appropriation of $280,000 in fiscal year 2014-15 for another reapportionment effort.  This amount is the equal to the final amounts appropriated for this purpose in fiscal year 2012-13.
	This reduction would also result in Other Special Revenue Funds savings of $303,495 in fiscal year 2015-16 to the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices due to reduced payments to qualifying candidates.  This estimate assumes initial payment amounts to qualifying candidates will increase by 10% in the 2016 election because candidates will have increased expenses associated with campaigning in a substantially larger district.  Other Special Revenue Funds revenue to the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices would also decrease by $29,325 in fiscal year 2015-16 due to a reduction in qualifying contributions collected by participating candidates.