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An Act To Update and Modernize Maine's Floodplain Mapping
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  many properties in the State are either erroneously placed in or excluded from maps of flood hazard areas due to floodplain mapping inaccuracies; and
Whereas,  the State has collaborated with other states to submit a grant proposal to the United States Geological Survey to acquire light detection and ranging elevation data and the State is awaiting final approval of the grant funding; and
Whereas,  the grant proposal addresses a very small percentage of the data needed for improved floodplain mapping; and
Whereas,  private funding sources are currently available to contribute toward floodplain mapping in the State; 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.  5 MRSA §3307-G  is enacted to read:
§ 3307-G. Floodplain Mapping Fund
 
1.  Fund established.   The Floodplain Mapping Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established as a dedicated nonlapsing fund administered by the office for the purpose of providing funds for the mapping of floodplains using light detection and ranging technology in the State.
 
2.  Sources of money.   The fund consists of any money received from the following sources:
 
A.  Contributions from private sources;
 
B.  Federal funds and awards;
 
C.  The proceeds of any bonds issued for the purposes for which the fund is established; and
 
D.  Any other funds received in support of the purposes for which the fund is established.
 
3.  Disbursements from the fund.   The office shall apply the money in the fund toward the support of floodplain mapping in the State, including, but not limited to, the acquisition of light detection and ranging elevation data and the processing and production of floodplain maps.
Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
STATE PLANNING OFFICE
 
Floodplain Mapping Fund N091
 
Initiative: Provides a base allocation to establish the Floodplain Mapping Fund.

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2009-10	2010-11	
All Other	$500	$500	
			
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$500	$500	
 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 124th Legislature, Second Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.