126th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 933 LR 129(02)
An Act To Establish a Separate Regulatory Board for Dental Hygienists
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
FY 2013-14 FY 2014-15 Projections  FY 2015-16 Projections  FY 2016-17
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $114,024 $0 $0 $0
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $114,024 $0 $0 $0
Other Special Revenue Funds $124,687 $84,598 $85,927 $87,296
Revenue
Other Special Revenue Funds $3,000 $160,070 $3,000 $160,070
Transfers
Other Special Revenue Funds $0 $0 $0 $0
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
Increases case-loads with no effect on fines or fees
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill includes a one-time General Fund appropriation of $114,024 in fiscal year 2013-14 to the Board of Dental Hygiene, a new regulatory board affiliated with the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, for the initial start-up costs of the board.  
This bill requires the Board of Dental Hygiene and the Board of Dental Examiners to share both administrative and infrastructure costs on a pro rata basis.  This bill includes Other Special Revenue Funds allocations of $95,908 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $126,952 in fiscal year 2014-15 to the State Board of Dental Hygiene for its share of the personal services and all other costs associated with establishing and administering the State Board of Dental Hygiene as of October 1, 2013.  The Board will also incur additional costs of $64,080 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $5,540 in fiscal year 2014-15 for the costs associated with the ALMS licensing system and other administrative costs.  Of that amount, approximately $60,000 is a one-time cost associated with the initial setup and conversion of the licensing system.
The net increase in dedicated revenues to the two boards from licensing and other fees is estimated to be $3,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $160,070 in fiscal year 2014-15.  The amount to be received by the State Board of Dental Hygiene is estimated to be approximately $12,130 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $367,458 in fiscal year 2014-15.  This estimate assumes the fee for new licenses and renewals of licenses to be $250.  Additionally, there will be a one-time transfer of $100,079 from the State Board of Dental Examiners to the State Board of Dental Hygiene in fiscal year 2013-14 equal to one half of the biennial renewal revenue received in fiscal year 2012-13.  Because this revenue will not be sufficient to support the costs of the State Board of Dental Hygiene, a one-time General Fund appropriation of $114,024 in fiscal year 2013-14 is included in the bill.  
The State Board of Dental Examiners affiliated with the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation will require Other Special Revenue Funds deallocations of $66,560 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $89,207 in fiscal year 2014-15 as a result of the licensing and regulation of dental hygienists being transferred to the State Board of Dental Hygiene.  The estimated loss of dedicated revenue to the board from licensing and other fees is projected to be $9,130 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $207,388 in fiscal year 2014-15.  As stated above, the State Board of Dental Examiners will make a one-time transfer of $100,079 in fiscal year 2013-14 to the State Board of Dental Hygiene, reducing its available balances.  However, even with this reduction, projections indicate that the board appears to have sufficient funding to cover their expenses through the next biennium.
Thus bill also includes Other Special Revenue Funds allocations of $35,414 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $46,853 in fiscal year 2014-15 to the Department of the Attorney General for one part-time Assistant Attorney General position and related costs to provide legal services to the State Board of Dental Hygiene.