126th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 297		LR 224(02)
	An Act To Require Forest Rangers To Be Trained in Order To Allow Them To Carry Firearms
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
			FY 2013-14	FY 2014-15	Projections  FY 2015-16	Projections  FY 2016-17
Net Cost (Savings)
	General Fund		$0	$86,819	$90,013	$6,387
Appropriations/Allocations
	General Fund		$0	$86,819	$90,013	$6,387
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	The bill includes General Fund appropriations of $60,861 in FY 15 and will require the same in FY 16 for the costs of purchasing guns, vests and other related equipment at current state contract prices for use by Forest Rangers and certain other positions. The bill requires implementation of a training program by January 1, 2016 that requires a 64-hour course on firearms training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. The bill includes a General Fund appropriation of $7,049 in FY 15 and will require the same in FY 16 for the costs of the training course. The bill will require General Fund appropriations of $3,194 in FY 16, growing to $6,387 in subsequent years for ongoing training. The bill includes General Fund appropriations of $18,909 in FY 15 and will require the same in FY 16 for overtime costs associated with initial training. It is likely that the Forest Ranger positions will be reclassified in the future due to their increased responsibilities from operating a firearm. This cost is estimated to be $2,980 for each of the 55 Forest Ranger positions, totaling $163,900.