128th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 858		LR 283(02)
	An Act To Strengthen the Law Regarding Dangerous Dogs
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
State Mandate - Exempted Minor cost increase - General Fund Minor revenue increase - General Fund Minor revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
	Establishes new civil violations. Establishes new Class D crimes. The collection of additional fines may also increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts.
State Mandates
	Required Activity				Unit Affected	Local Cost
	Requires municipalities to keep records of dogs determined by a court to be dangerous or a nuisance.  Requires municipalities to report all complaints of dangerous and nuisance dogs and the outcomes of investigations.				Municipality County	Insignificant statewide
	Pursuant to the Mandate Preamble, the two-thirds vote of all members elected to each House exempts the State from the constitutional requirement to fund 90% of the additional costs.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill amends current laws regarding dangerous dogs and animal welfare by updating various definitions, defining municipal authority and responsibilities and creating a dangerous dog licensing program.  Because the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (ACF) already maintains an online dog licensing program, any additional costs as a result of the additional dangerous dog licensing requirements in this bill are anticipated to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.  The dangerous dog licensing requirements will also result in a minor Other Special Revenue Funds revenue increase to the ACF Animal Welfare Fund and to local municipal animal welfare funds.