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130th MAINE LEGISLATURE |
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LD 305 |
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LR 897(01) |
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An Act To Include
Forest Rangers and Forest Fire Prevention Specialists in the Bureau of
Forestry's Forest Protection Unit in the Laws Concerning Cancer Suffered by
Firefighters |
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Preliminary
Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill |
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Sponsor: Sen. Cyrway of Kennebec |
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Committee: Labor and Housing |
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Fiscal Note Required: Yes |
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| Preliminary
Fiscal Impact Statement |
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Potential current biennium cost increase - Worker's Compensation
Management Fund
Potential future biennium cost increase - General Fund |
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| Fiscal Detail
and Notes |
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Adding forest
rangers and forest fire prevention specialists in the forest protection unit
within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of
Forestry, to the definition of a firefighter that may qualify for workers'
compensation benefits under a rebuttable presumption contained in Title 39-A,
§328-B may increase costs to the Workers' Compensation Management Fund within
the Department of Administrative and Financial Services beginning in fiscal
year 2021-22. The impact to the Fund
will depend on actual experience. |
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According to the
State's data warehouse, there are currently 57 filled and 9 vacant forest
rangers and forest fire prevention specialists positions in the Bureau of
Forestry. Although the exact cost to
the State related to lost time and medical costs will depend on actual
experience, the average cost in lost time benefits for this group of
employees is estimated to be $38,467 per claim per year for up to 10 years or
more, depending on the level of the employees incapacity. Additionally, the cost for one fatality who
has a minor child is estimated to be $369,873 in lost time benefits alone. |
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This provision
may also increase General Fund costs to the Bureau of Forestry within the
Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry from increased workers'
compensation premiums. The State, as a
self-insured entity, charges each state agency a premium rate that is built
into the cost associated with each position within an agency. That rate is based on the actual claims
experience of each agency and is averaged over a three-year period. The future impact to the premium rate for
the Bureau of Forestry will be based on actual experience. |
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