126th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1824 LR 2302(02)
An Act To Provide Additional Authority to the State Board of Corrections
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
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 $1,200,000 $225,000 $0 $0
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $1,200,000 $225,000 $0 $0
Other Special Revenue Funds $3,806 ($7,696) ($7,696) ($7,696)
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill includes a one-time General Fund appropriation of $1,200,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 to the State Board of Corrections to address an anticipated shortfall and a one-time appropriation of $225,000 in fiscal year 2014-15 for the development of an independent system-wide capital improvement plan.  It does not address supplemental funding needs in fiscal year 2014-15. It establishes a budget growth factor that will likely increase the state share of county jail costs since the county tax assessment for county correction services remains capped.   The value of the growth factor using estimated fiscal year 2012-1013 and fiscal year 2013-14 data exceeds $1,900,000.  The exact amount required will vary each year.
This bill allows counties to retain savings realized during the course of the fiscal year rather than returning the funds to the State Board of Corrections and may increase the amount of General Fund appropriations required in any given fiscal year.  It also allows counties to retain funds received from boarding federal or state inmates.  These funds are to be used to discharge debt and as a source of funds to establish a County Corrections Capital Improvement Fund.  These revenues had been available to reduce the amount of state funding needed to support county jail operational costs.