126th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1769 LR 2735(03)
An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Report Defining Cost Responsibility for Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Students Receiving Services from the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf
Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with:
C "A" (S-479)
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
             
Fiscal Note
Future biennium cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf (MECDHH/GBSD) estimates that the requirements in this legislation will increase costs to the school by approximately $360,000 per year beginning in fiscal year 2015-16.  State funding for the MECDHH/GBSD is included in the annual General Fund appropriation for the General Purpose Aid for Local Schools program within the Department of Education as part of the miscellaneous costs and adjustments.  The department has indicated that it will include funding for the additional costs associated with this legislation in its budget beginning in fiscal year 2015-16.  Unless additional General Fund support is provided to the miscellaneous costs and adjustments category beginning in fiscal year 2015-16, other line items within that category may need to be reduced in order to support the increased funding to the MECDHH/GBSD.