126th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1533 LR 1886(02)
An Act To Amend the Maine Online Learning Program
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium cost increase - General Fund
FY 2013-14 FY 2014-15 Projections  FY 2015-16 Projections  FY 2016-17
Appropriations/Allocations
Other Special Revenue Funds $500 $500 $500 $500
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill establishes the Maine Online Learning Collaborative Fund as a nonlapsing fund within the Department of Education to provide reimbursement to local school administrative units for certain online learning programs.  This bill provides base Other Special Revenue Funds allocations of $500 per year beginning in fiscal year 2013-14 for the Maine Online Learning Collaborative Fund to authorize the expenditure of funds.
This legislation requires the State Controller to transfer available balances remaining in the Maine Learning Technology Fund, Other Special Revenue Funds account to the Maine Online Learning Collaborative Fund no later than 10 days after this legislation becomes effective.  The State's accounting system does not have an Other Special Revenue Funds account with that specific name.  However, there are currently 4 Maine Learning Technology Initiative, Other Special Revenue Funds accounts that have cash balances totaling $1,175,491.  Given the current language in this legislation, the State Controller has indicated that all available funds would be taken from all accounts under the Maine Learning Technology Initiative program.  Also, because this legislation does not include language that would allow for only those balances available after "accounting for all commitments or obligations"  to be transferred to the Maine Online Learning Collaborative Fund, the State Controller would be obligated to transfer the cash balances in the Other Special Revenue Funds accounts without consideration of what commitments or obligations currently exist.  General Fund appropriations may be required to address those commitments and obligations.