131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1363		LR 420(05)
	An Act to Support Extraction of Common Minerals by Amending the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act
	Fiscal Note for House Amendment " " to Committee Amendment "A"
	Sponsor: Rep. O'Neil of Saco
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Potential biennium revenue increase - General Fund Potential biennium cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds Potential biennium revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds Potential biennium revenue increase - Municipalities
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This amendment changes the definition of "metallic mineral" in the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act (MMMMA) to include spodumene. Any activities related to the extraction or mining of this material would now fall under the provisions of the MMMMA, which may result in additional mining permit applications. DEP may incur costs related to approving applicants for a mining permit and engaging in certain oversight activities. The extent of costs to DEP will depend on the number of applicants and the activities they engage in, but these costs are expected to be covered by mining fees. Under current statute, applicants are required to pay an initial processing fee not to exceed $500,000 and an annual license fee between $20,000 and $50,000 that will be directed to the Metallic Mining Fund within DEP. No estimate is made at this time on the number of mining applicants.
	If applicants are approved, mining excise tax revenues will be received. Under current statute, the revenue reimburses municipalities and unorganized territories for at least 50%, and if sufficiently available 100%, of the property tax revenue loss suffered by that municipality or unorganized territory as a result of property tax exemptions created under the mining excise tax statute. 25% of any remaining revenues would be paid to DEP for oversight of mining activity and 75% would be credited to the General Fund. The amount of mining excise tax revenue that might be generated is not estimated at this time.