An Act To Provide Funding for the Maine Clean Election Fund

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  due to earlier transfers to the General Fund, the Maine Clean Election Fund needs additional funding to cover the anticipated clean election costs that will be incurred during the 2006 general election; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

ETHICS AND ELECTION PRACTICES, COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENTAL

Maine Clean Election Fund

Initiative: Appropriates funds to cover an anticipated shortfall in the Maine Clean Election Fund for projected costs of the 2006 general election. The State Controller shall transfer these funds to the Maine Clean Election Fund no later than July 31, 2006.

GENERAL FUND	2005-06	2006-07
All Other	$0	$2,000,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$2,000,000

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill requires the transfer of $2,000,000 from the General Fund to the Maine Clean Election Fund no later than July 31, 2006 to assure gubernatorial and legislative candidates in the 2006 elections that there will be sufficient funding for the Maine Clean Election Act.