132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 66		LR 141(01)
	An Act to Expand Access to the Maine Wage Assurance Fund
	Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
	Sponsor: Rep. Skold of Portland
	Committee: Labor
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Potential current biennium cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	Expanding the provisions that an eligible employee may receive payment from the Maine Wage Assurance Fund within the Department of Labor may result in increased costs to the fund.  The amount can not be estimated at this time.  Pursuant to Title 26, section 632, the amount of funds available in the Maine Wage Assurance Fund is capped at $200,000.  The fund is supported through a transfer from the Special Administrative Expense Fund which receives revenue from interest earned and fines and penalties assessed under the state's unemployment compensation laws. According to the department, the expansion of benefits included in this legislation can be supported within the existing budgeted resources of the Maine Wage Assurance Fund and no increase in the $200,000 cap will be required.