128th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1561		LR 196(02)
	An Act To Enact the Maine Citizens' Initiatives Clean Election Act
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
			FY 2017-18	FY 2018-19	Projections  FY 2019-20	Projections  FY 2020-21
Net Cost (Savings)
	General Fund		$3,000,000	$3,000,000	$3,000,000	$3,000,000
Appropriations/Allocations
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$3,000,000	$3,000,000	$3,000,000	$3,000,000
Revenue
	General Fund		($3,000,000)	($3,000,000)	($3,000,000)	($3,000,000)
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$3,000,000	$3,000,000	$3,000,000	$3,000,000
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill establishes the Maine Citizens' Initiatives Clean Election Act within the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices and provides for annual transfers of $3,000,000 from certain General Fund revenues to the Maine Citizens' Initiatives Clean Election Fund (the Fund) beginning in fiscal year 2017-18. The bill includes ongoing allocations to the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices of $3,000,000 beginning in fiscal year 2017-18 to allow expenditures from the Fund. In addition to the annual transfers, the Fund may also receive revenue from qualifying contributions raised by committees and voluntary contributions through a tax checkoff program. Committees that are Maine-chartered nonprofits or groups would be able to use a public financing mechanism to support or oppose a citizens' initiative ballot question. This public financing process is similar to the Maine Clean Election Act for candidates. Committees would need to raise specific amounts of qualified contributions in order to qualify for funding.