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126th MAINE LEGISLATURE |
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LD 134 |
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LR 281(02) |
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RESOLUTION,
Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Reduce the Size of the
Legislature |
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Fiscal Note for
Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " " |
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Committee: State and Local Government |
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Fiscal Note Required: Yes |
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Fiscal Note |
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Current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Potential future biennium savings - General Fund
Potential future biennium savings - Other Special Revenue Funds |
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Referendum
Costs |
Month/Year |
Election Type |
Question |
Length |
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Nov-13 |
General |
Referendum |
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 $107,250 may
be required. |
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Fiscal Detail
and Notes |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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