CHAPTER 23

H.P. 1189 - L.D. 1684

An Act Regarding Transition Provisions for the Sharing of

Costs in Certain School Districts

Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, Public Law 2005, chapter 2 directs the Department of Education to conduct a review and analysis of the implications of the proposed cost-sharing mechanism established pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 15688, subsection 2 on the member municipalities of school administrative districts and community school districts whose cost-sharing formulas were established in accordance with Title 20-A, sections 1301 and 1704, respectively; and

Whereas, it is necessary to establish transition provisions for certain school districts whose cost-sharing formulas may result in adverse fiscal impacts for member municipalities within those school districts in fiscal year 2005-06; and

Whereas, it is necessary to allow the Department of Education additional time to assist certain school districts in developing transition plans that include a phase-in to achieve the new method of determining member municipalities' local contribution to the total cost of education in accordance with Title 20-A, section 15688, subsection 2; 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,