An Act To Provide Temporary Emergency Relief to Maine Dairy Farmers
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the producer price of milk has dropped to 20-year lows; and
Whereas, these prices jeopardize the viability of the Maine dairy industry; and
Whereas, the Maine dairy industry is essential to the State's rural economy and communities and generates business activity and preserves open space; and
Whereas, the stablization of the dairy industry during temporary price drops constitutes a public purpose and an appropriate expenditure of state revenues; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. Transfer of funds. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Controller shall transfer to the Maine Milk Pool as established by the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 3153 $500,000 from the unallocated cash balance of the Maine Milk Commission.
Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND RURAL RESOURCES,
DEPARTMENT OF
Maine Milk Pool
Initiative: Provides for a one-time appropriation of funds to be transferred to the Maine Milk Pool.
General Fund 2002-03 2003-04
All Other $225,000 $0
__________ __________
General Fund Total $225,000 $0
Initiative: Provides for the allocation of funds to carry out the provisions of this Act. The funds must be distributed no later than April 2003 equally to all Maine dairy farmers in accordance with their production.
Other Special Revenue Funds
All Other $725,000 $0
__________ __________
Other Special Revenue
Funds Total $725,000 $0
AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND RURAL
RESOURCES DEPARTMENT OF
DEPARTMENT TOTALS 2002-03 2003-04
GENERAL FUND $225,000 $0
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE
FUNDS 725,000 $0
__________ __________
DEPARTMENT TOTAL -
ALL FUNDS $950,000 $0
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.
Effective March 20, 2003.
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