131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1797 LR 1930(01)
An Act to Expand Maine's Health Care Workforce by Expanding Educational Opportunities and Providing Tax Credits
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
Sponsor: Pres. Jackson of Aroostook
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Original not completed - See committee amendment
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 Projections  FY 2025-26 Projections  FY 2026-27
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $11,253,092 $11,274,966 $11,277,942 $11,281,027
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $11,253,092 $11,274,966 $11,277,942 $11,281,027
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill includes ongoing General Fund appropriations totaling $6,000,000 per year beginning in fiscal year 2023-24 to the Finance Authority of Maine.  Of that amount, $1,000,000 per year is provided for the Doctor's for Maine's Future Scholarship Fund; $4,000,000 per year is provided for the Maine Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program Fund and $1,000,000 per year is provided for the Nursing Eduction Loan Repayment Program.
The State Board of Nursing, affiliated with the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, has indicated that it will require ongoing General Fund appropriations of $68,092 in fiscal year 2023-24 and $89,966 in fiscal year 2024-25 for one Office Specialist I position and related All Other costs to support the anticipated increase in workload in order to certify eligibility for and monitor compliance with the nurse retention tax credit.  The board has indicated that it does not have sufficient budgeted resources to perform these duties without General Fund approriations.