PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
Amend the amendment in Part C in section 6 in paragraph B in subparagraph (11) in the first line (page 600, line 38 in amendment) by striking out the following: "47.54%." and inserting the following: '53.94%.'
Amend the amendment in Part C in section 7 in paragraph C by striking out all of subparagraphs (5) and (6) (page 601, lines 12 and 13 in amendment) and inserting the following:
‘
 
(5) For fiscal year 2015-16 and succeeding years, the target is 55%.
Amend the amendment in Part C in section 8 in paragraph B in subparagraph (8) in the 2nd line (page 602, line 20 in amendment) by striking out the following: "52.46%" and inserting the following: '46.06%'
Amend the amendment in Part C in section 17 in the last line (page 604, line 43 in amendment) by striking out the following: "8.23." and inserting the following: '6.91.'
Amend the amendment in Part C by striking out all of section 19 and inserting the following:
‘Sec. C-19. Local and state contributions to total cost of funding public education from kindergarten to grade 12. The local contribution and the state contribution appropriation provided for general purpose aid for local schools for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2016 is calculated as follows:

		2015-16	2015-16	
		LOCAL	STATE	
Local and State Contributions to the Total Cost of Funding Public Education from Kindergarten to Grade 12			
				
	Local and state contributions to the total cost of funding public education from kindergarten to grade 12 pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 15683, subject to statewide distributions required by law	$952,834,793	$1,116,071,037	
				
	State contribution to the total cost of teacher retirement, teacher retirement health insurance and teacher retirement life insurance for fiscal year 2015-16 pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapters 421 and 423		$147,838,154	
				
	State contribution to the total cost of funding public education from kindergarten to grade 12		$1,263,909,191	
 
’
Amend the amendment by striking out all of Part O and inserting the following:
PART O
‘
Sec. O-1. 36 MRSA §4641-B, sub-§4-B, ¶E, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 453, §6, is amended to read:
 
E. In fiscal year 2015-16 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Treasurer of State shall credit the revenues derived from the tax imposed pursuant to section 4641-A, subsection 1 in accordance with this paragraph.
 
(1) At the beginning of the fiscal year, the Maine State Housing Authority shall certify to the Treasurer of State the amount that is necessary and sufficient to meet the authority's obligations relating to bonds issued or planned to be issued by the authority under Title 30-A, section 4864.
 
(2) On a monthly basis the Treasurer of State shall apply 50% of the revenues in accordance with this subparagraph. The Treasurer of State shall first pay revenues available under this subparagraph to the Maine State Housing Authority, which shall deposit the funds in the Maine Energy, Housing and Economic Recovery Fund established in Title 30-A, section 4863, until the amount paid equals the amount certified by the Maine State Housing Authority under subparagraph (1), after which the Treasurer of State shall credit any remaining revenues available under this subparagraph to the General Fund.
 
(3) On a monthly basis, the Treasurer of State shall creditapply 50% of the revenues in accordance with this subparagraph. The Treasurer of State shall first credit $9,291,740 of the revenues available under this subparagraph to the General Fund, after which the Treasurer of State shall pay any remaining revenues available under this subparagraph to the Maine State Housing Authority, which shall deposit the funds in the Housing Opportunities for Maine Fund created in Title 30-A, section 4853.
Sec. O-2.  36 MRSA §4641-B, sub-§4-B, ¶¶E-1 and E-2  are enacted to read:
 
E-1.   In fiscal year 2016-17, the Treasurer of State shall credit the revenues derived from the tax imposed pursuant to section 4641-A, subsection 1 in accordance with this paragraph.
 
(1) At the beginning of the fiscal year, the Maine State Housing Authority shall certify to the Treasurer of State the amount that is necessary and sufficient to meet the authority’s obligations relating to bonds issued or planned to be issued by the authority under Title 30-A, section 4864.
 
(2) On a monthly basis the Treasurer of State shall apply 50% of the revenues in accordance with this subparagraph. The Treasurer of State shall first pay revenues available under this subparagraph to the Maine State Housing Authority, which shall deposit the funds in the Maine Energy, Housing and Economic Recovery Fund established in Title 30-A, section 4863, until the amount paid equals the amount certified by the Maine State Housing Authority under subparagraph (1), after which the Treasurer of State shall credit any remaining revenues available under this subparagraph to the General Fund.
 
(3) On a monthly basis the Treasurer of State shall apply 50% of the revenues in accordance with this subparagraph. The Treasurer of State shall first credit $9,090,367 of the revenues available under this subparagraph to the General Fund, after which the Treasurer of State shall pay any remaining revenues available under this subparagraph to the Maine State Housing Authority, which shall deposit the funds in the Housing Opportunities for Maine Fund created in Title 30-A, section 4853.
 
E-2.  In fiscal year 2017-18 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Treasurer of State shall credit the revenues derived from the tax imposed pursuant to section 4641-A, subsection 1 in accordance with this paragraph.
 
(1) At the beginning of the fiscal year, the Maine State Housing Authority shall certify to the Treasurer of State the amount that is necessary and sufficient to meet the authority’s obligations relating to bonds issued or planned to be issued by the authority under Title 30-A, section 4864.
 
(2) On a monthly basis the Treasurer of State shall apply 50% of the revenues in accordance with this subparagraph. The Treasurer of State shall first pay revenues available under this subparagraph to the Maine State Housing Authority, which shall deposit the funds in the Maine Energy, Housing and Economic Recovery Fund established in Title 30-A, section 4863, until the amount paid equals the amount certified by the Maine State Housing Authority under subparagraph (1), after which the Treasurer of State shall credit any remaining revenues available under this subparagraph to the General Fund.
’
 
(3) On a monthly basis the Treasurer of State shall apply 50% of the revenues in accordance with this subparagraph. The Treasurer of State shall first credit $3,000,000 of the revenues available under this subparagraph to the General Fund, after which the Treasurer of State shall pay any remaining revenues available under this subparagraph to the Maine State Housing Authority, which shall deposit the funds in the Housing Opportunities for Maine Fund created in Title 30-A, section 4853.
Amend the amendment by striking out all of Part UU.
Amend the amendment by inserting after Part SSSS the following:
PART TTTT
‘
Sec. TTTT-1. 36 MRSA §200, sub-§1, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 744, §1, is amended to read:
 
A.  Part 1 of the report must describe the overall incidence of all state, local and county taxes. The report must present information on the distribution of the tax burden:
 
(1) For the overall income distribution, using a measure of system-wide incidence that appropriately measures equality and inequality;
 
(2) By income classes, including, at a minimum, deciles of the income distribution; and
 
(3) By other appropriate taxpayer characteristics.
 
The report must include a calculation of the average effective tax rate on state and local taxes paid by the top 2% of tax families and the bottom 98% of tax families. For purposes of this paragraph, "average effective tax rate on state and local taxes paid" and "tax families" have the same meaning as in section 5111-C, subsection 1.
Sec. TTTT-2.  36 MRSA §5111-C  is enacted to read:
§ 5111-C. Tax equalization assessment
 
1.  Definitions.     As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
 
A.  "Average effective tax rate on state and local taxes paid" means a fraction, based on statewide tax family data for the taxable year, the numerator of which is the sum of income tax liability, property taxes accrued on a homestead and sales taxes paid and the denominator of which is expanded income for the taxable year.
 
B.  "Expanded income" means total income required to be reported on federal Form 1040 for the taxable year, plus tax-exempt interest earned during the taxable year and, to the extent included in the calculation of federal total income, the absolute value of the amount of trade or business loss, net operating loss, capital loss, farm loss or partnership or S corporation loss.
 
C.  "Homestead" means any residential property, including cooperative property, in this State assessed as real property owned by a tax family or held in a revocable living trust for a tax family and occupied as a permanent residence or owned by a cooperative housing corporation and occupied as a permanent residence by a tax family that is a qualifying shareholder. "Homestead" does not include any real property used solely for commercial purposes.
 
D.  "Income tax liability" means the total amount of tax that a tax family estimates will be due for a taxable year under this Part, exclusive of a withholder's liability for taxes withheld, less any allowable credits for that taxable year. "Income tax liability" does not include the assessment under subsection 2.
 
E.  "Individual effective tax rate on state and local taxes paid" means a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum, for the tax year, of a tax family's income tax paid to other jurisdictions, income tax liability, property taxes accrued on a tax family's homestead and sales taxes paid and the denominator of which is the tax family's expanded income for the tax.
 
F.  "Permanent residence" means that place where a tax family has a true, fixed and permanent home and principal establishment to which a tax family, whenever absent, has the intention of returning. A tax family may have only one permanent residence at a time and, once a permanent residence is established, that residence is presumed to continue until circumstances indicate otherwise.
 
G.  "Sales taxes paid" means state sales and use tax reported as an itemized deduction for federal income tax purposes or, if not included as an itemized deduction, the amount as calculated by the federal optional state sales tax tables.
 
H.  "Tax equalization assessment" is an amount, which may not be less than zero, equal to the difference in the average effective tax rate on state and local taxes paid and a tax family's individual effective tax rate on state and local taxes paid multiplied by a tax family's expanded income.
 
I.  "Tax family" or "tax families" means a grouping of individuals based on tax filing status.
 
2.  Assessment.     For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, in addition to all other taxes contained in this Part, a tax family must pay a tax equalization assessment if, for the tax year, a tax family has the following:
 
A.  An individual effective tax rate on state and local taxes paid that is less than the average effective tax rate on state and local taxes paid by the bottom 98% of tax families as calculated in section 200, subsection 1, paragraph A; and
 
B.  An expanded income of $250,000 or more for a tax family filing as a single individual or a married person filing a separate return, $325,000 or more for a tax family filing as an unmarried individual or legally separated individual who qualifies as a head of household or $400,000 or more for a tax family filing as an individual filing a married joint return or a surviving spouse permitted to file a joint return.
 
3.  Revenue.     Beginning in 2017, by January 15th annually, the assessor shall determine the revenue generated by the assessment imposed pursuant to subsection 2 and the cost of the credit allowed pursuant to section 5219-KK for the tax year before the immediately prior tax year. The difference between the revenue and the cost must be transferred to the Maine Budget Stabilization Fund established in Title 5, section 1532.
PART UUUU
Sec. UUUU-1.  30-A MRSA §4859  is enacted to read:
§ 4859. Rental assistance program
 
1.  Definitions.     As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings:
 
A.  "Available funds" means the remaining funds after administrative costs of the Maine State Housing Authority in implementing the program, which may not exceed 5% of the funds allocated to the program;
 
B.  "Local area" means a geographically defined area in the State determined by a formula adopted by the Maine State Housing Authority that considers factors including the availability and affordability of housing for low-income households and individuals and the condition and cost burden of housing; and
 
C.  "Program" means the rental assistance program in subsection 2.
 
2.  Rental assistance program.     Beginning January 1, 2016, the Maine State Housing Authority shall implement a rental assistance program for low-income households and individuals in the State.
 
3.  Eligibility; participation.     A household or individual that has applied for but not yet received assistance from a housing choice voucher program administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development is eligible to participate in the program, subject to fund availability. A participant in the program may receive assistance only if the rent of the participant's housing meets the fair market rent standards published by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for the area in which the participant's housing is located and meets any housing quality standards adopted by the Maine State Housing Authority. A participant in the program shall pay the same portion of the participant's income towards rent as required by the formula used by a housing choice voucher program administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Maine State Housing Authority shall determine the eligibility of a household or individual on a yearly basis.
 
4.  Funds allocation.     The Maine State Housing Authority shall distribute program funds throughout the State pursuant to this subsection. The Maine State Housing Authority shall allocate 100% of its available funds to participants with incomes at or below 30% of the median income of the local area.
 
5.  Rules.     The Maine State Housing Authority shall adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
PART VVVV
Sec. VVVV-1. 20-A MRSA §15676, as corrected by RR 2011, c. 2, §19, is amended to read:
§ 15676.EPS per-pupil rate
For each school administrative unit, the commissioner shall calculate the unit's EPS per-pupil rate for each year as the sum of:
 
1. Teaching staff costs.   The salary and benefit costs for school level teaching staff that are necessary to carry out this Act, calculated in accordance with section 15678, adjusted by the regional adjustment under section 15682 and reduced by the amount of funds received by the school administrative unit during the most recent fiscal year under Title I of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, 20 United States Code, Section 6301 et seq.;
 
2. Other staff costs.   The salary and benefit costs for school-level staff who are not teachers, but including substitute teachers, that are necessary to carry out this Act, calculated in accordance with section 15679, adjusted by the regional adjustment under section 15682 and reduced by the amount of funds received by the school administrative unit during the most recent fiscal year under Title I of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, 20 United States Code, Section 6301 et seq.; and
 
3. Additional costs.   The per-pupil amounts not related to staffing, calculated in accordance with section 15680.; and
 
4.  Title I funds; hold harmless.     Beginning in fiscal year 2015-16, the amount of funds received by the school administrative unit during the most recent fiscal year under Title I of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, 20 United States Code, Section 6301 et seq. for the teaching staff costs in subsection 1 and for the other staff costs in subsection 2 unless the State does not:
 
A.  Provide additional state funding that results in at least the same or an increased amount of state subsidy allocated to each school administrative unit in the State as compared to the amount of state subsidy that would be allocated to the school administrative unit if the EPS per-pupil rate calculated by the commissioner were reduced by the amount of Title I funds received by the school administrative unit; or
 
B.  Adopt statutory requirements to implement a 3-year phase-in schedule that results in at least the same or an increased amount of state subsidy allocated to each school administrative unit in the State as compared to the amount of state subsidy that would be allocated to the school administrative unit if the EPS per-pupil rate calculated by the commissioner were reduced by the amount of Title I funds received by the school administrative unit by the end of the 3-year phase-in period.
The EPS per-pupil rate is calculated on the basis of which schools students attend. For school administrative units that do not operate their own schools, the EPS per-pupil rate is calculated under section 15676-A.
PART WWWW
Sec. WWWW-1. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY, DEPARTMENT OF
 
Division of Forest Protection Z232
 
Initiative: Provides funds to establish 6 Forest Ranger II positions.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT	6.000	6.000	
Personal Services	$232,167	$471,966	
All Other	$52,650	$105,300	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$284,817	$577,266	

Division of Quality Assurance and Regulation 0393
 
Initiative: Provides funds to establish one Consumer Protection Inspector position.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT	1.000	1.000	
Personal Services	$74,461	$76,030	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$74,461	$76,030	

Food Assistance Program 0816
 
Initiative: Provides funding for a radio campaign, website costs and posters and brochures to promote food self-sufficiency.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$25,000	$0	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$25,000	$0	

Food Assistance Program 0816
 
Initiative: Provides funding to establish a part-time Planning and Research Assistant position.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT	0.500	0.500	
Personal Services	$21,043	$21,150	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$21,043	$21,150	

Office of the Commissioner 0401
 
Initiative: Provides funding for related technology costs to establish a Planning and Research Assistant position.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$1,810	$1,810	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$1,810	$1,810	

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$670	$670	
			
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$670	$670	

Office of the Commissioner 0401
 
Initiative: Provides funds for technology costs associated with establishing a Consumer Protection Inspector position.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$1,810	$1,810	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$1,810	$1,810	

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$335	$335	
			
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$335	$335	

Office of the Commissioner 0401
 
Initiative: Establishes 6 Forest Ranger II positions.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$9,910	$19,818	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$9,910	$19,818	

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$1,749	$3,497	
			
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$1,749	$3,497	

AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY, DEPARTMENT OF			
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2015-16	2016-17	
			
GENERAL FUND	$418,851	$697,884	
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	$2,754	$4,502	
			
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$421,605	$702,386	

EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
 
General Purpose Aid for Local Schools 0308
 
Initiative: Provides additional funding necessary for the State's share of funding kindergarten to grade 12 public education to reach 55%.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$87,723,842	$106,197,501	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$87,723,842	$106,197,501	

General Purpose Aid for Local Schools 0308
 
Initiative: Provides additional funds to ensure that school administrative units are held harmless from the impact of changes in the EPS per-pupil rate calculation as it relates to Title I funds received by school administrative units.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$44,700,000	$44,700,000	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$44,700,000	$44,700,000	

EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF			
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2015-16	2016-17	
			
GENERAL FUND	$132,423,842	$150,897,501	
			
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$132,423,842	$150,897,501	

FINANCE AUTHORITY OF MAINE
 
Student Financial Assistance Programs 0653
 
Initiative: Provides additional funds for the Maine State Grant Program.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$9,000,000	$9,000,000	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$9,000,000	$9,000,000	

FINANCE AUTHORITY OF MAINE			
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2015-16	2016-17	
			
GENERAL FUND	$9,000,000	$9,000,000	
			
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$9,000,000	$9,000,000	

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY BDS)
 
Consumer-directed Services Z043
 
Initiative: Provides funding to increase reimbursement rates 66% for providers of in-home and community support direct care services.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$624,191	$832,254	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$624,191	$832,254	

Developmental Services Waiver - MaineCare 0987
 
Initiative: Provides funding to increase reimbursement rates 66% for providers of in-home and community support direct care services.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$1,696,422	$2,261,896	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$1,696,422	$2,261,896	

Developmental Services Waiver - Supports Z006
 
Initiative: Provides funding to increase reimbursement rates 66% for providers of in-home and community support direct care services.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$2,260,785	$3,014,378	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$2,260,785	$3,014,378	

Mental Health Services - Child Medicaid 0731
 
Initiative: Appropriates funds to increase the personal needs allowances of residents in residential care facilities from $70 to $90.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$119,948	$179,922	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$119,948	$179,922	

Mental Health Services - Community 0121
 
Initiative: Provides funding to the Department of Health and Human Services to provide start-up funding for operational support for 2 so-called “Housing First” projects to house medically compromised individuals to transition from the homeless shelter system to permanent housing effective January 1, 2017.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$0	$800,000	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$800,000	

Mental Health Services - Community 0121
 
Initiative: Provides funding to increase payments to peer centers, also referred to as social clubs or drop-in centers, by 10% beginning in fiscal year 2015-16.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$107,944	$62,944	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$107,944	$62,944	

Mental Health Services - Community 0121
 
Initiative: Provides funding for annual inflation increases to the peer center contracts.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$23,671	$47,721	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$23,671	$47,721	

Mental Health Services - Community Medicaid 0732
 
Initiative: Appropriates funds to increase the personal needs allowances of residents in residential care facilities from $70 to $90.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$195,347	$293,021	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$195,347	$293,021	

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY BDS)			
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2015-16	2016-17	
			
GENERAL FUND	$5,028,308	$7,492,136	
			
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$5,028,308	$7,492,136	

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS)
 
Child Care Services 0563
 
Initiative: Appropriates and allocates funds for the full match to leverage all available federal child care development funds.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$2,000,000	$2,000,000	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$2,000,000	$2,000,000	

FEDERAL BLOCK GRANT FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$3,000,000	$3,000,000	
			
FEDERAL BLOCK GRANT FUND TOTAL	$3,000,000	$3,000,000	

Head Start 0545
 
Initiative: Appropriates funds for delivery of Head Start services.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$1,425,000	$1,425,000	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$1,425,000	$1,425,000	

Long Term Care - Office of Aging and Disability Services 0420
 
Initiative: Provides funding to increase reimbursement rates 66% for providers of in-home and community support direct care services.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$2,503,959	$3,570,340	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$2,503,959	$3,570,340	

Low-cost Drugs To Maine's Elderly 0202
 
Initiative: Provides funding to reflect no asset criteria for eligibility in the elderly low-cost drug program.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$30,883	$37,060	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$30,883	$37,060	

FUND FOR A HEALTHY MAINE	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$678,427	$814,113	
			
FUND FOR A HEALTHY MAINE TOTAL	$678,427	$814,113	

Medical Care - Payments to Providers 0147
 
Initiative: Appropriates funds to increase the personal needs allowances of residents in residential care facilities from $70 to $90.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$398,726	$598,089	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$398,726	$598,089	

Medical Care - Payments to Providers 0147
 
Initiative: Provides funding to increase reimbursement rates 66% for providers of in-home and community support direct care services.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$3,713,412	$5,386,155	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$3,713,412	$5,386,155	

FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$12,896,143	$17,900,198	
			
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL	$12,896,143	$17,900,198	

Medical Care - Payments to Providers 0147
 
Initiative: Provides funding to reflect no asset criteria for eligibility in the elderly low-cost drug program.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$678,427	$814,113	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$678,427	$814,113	

FUND FOR A HEALTHY MAINE	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	($678,427)	($814,113)	
			
FUND FOR A HEALTHY MAINE TOTAL	($678,427)	($814,113)	

Nursing Facilities 0148
 
Initiative: Appropriates and allocates funds to increase the personal needs allowances of residents in nursing facilities from $40 to $50.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$162,290	$242,137	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$162,290	$242,137	

FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$270,137	$406,503	
			
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL	$270,137	$406,503	

Nursing Facilities 0148
 
Initiative: Provides funding to restore crossover payments to nursing facilities related to the nondual Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program population of the Medicare savings program for whom coverage was eliminated in Public Law 2013, chapter 368.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$200,641	$601,923	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$200,641	$601,923	

FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$336,838	$1,010,515	
			
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL	$336,838	$1,010,515	

Nursing Facilities 0148
 
Initiative: Provides funding to decrease the occupancy percentage threshold required for a nursing facility with more than 60 beds from 90% to 80% and for a nursing facility with 60 beds or fewer from 85% to 75%.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$63,187	$84,249	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$63,187	$84,249	

FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$106,078	$141,438	
			
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL	$106,078	$141,438	

Nursing Facilities 0148
 
Initiative: Adjusts funding to reflect the impact on the nursing home tax from the decrease of the occupancy percentage threshold required for a nursing facility with more than 60 beds from 90% to 80% and for a nursing facility with 60 beds or fewer from 85% to 75%.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	($10,156)	($13,541)	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	($10,156)	($13,541)	

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$10,156	$13,541	
			
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$10,156	$13,541	

Nursing Facilities 0148
 
Initiative: Adjusts funding to reflect the impact on the nursing home tax from the restoration of crossover payments to nursing facilities related to the nondual Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program population of the Medicare savings program for whom coverage was eliminated in Public Law 2013, chapter 368.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	($26,874)	($80,622)	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	($26,874)	($80,622)	

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$26,874	$80,622	
			
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$26,874	$80,622	

Nursing Facilities 0148
 
Initiative: Provides funding to create a critical access nursing facility designation using criteria that are sensitive to the unique access challenges in remote areas of the State and provide that a critical access nursing facility designation qualifies as an allowable exception to MaineCare budget neutrality.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$1,760,713	$2,347,617	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$1,760,713	$2,347,617	

Nursing Facilities 0148
 
Initiative: Adjusts funding to reflect the impact on the nursing home tax from the creation of a critical access nursing facility designation using criteria that are sensitive to the unique access challenges in remote areas of the State and provide that a critical access nursing facility designation qualifies as an allowable exception to MaineCare budget neutrality.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	($105,643)	($140,857)	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	($105,643)	($140,857)	

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$105,643	$140,857	
			
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$105,643	$140,857	

Office of MaineCare Services 0129
 
Initiative: Provides funding for the technology-related costs, including system changes, testing and oversight, to implement the recommendations of the Commission To Continue the Study of Long-term Care Facilities.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$44,674	$0	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$44,674	$0	

FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$44,674	$0	
			
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL	$44,674	$0	

PNMI Room and Board Z009
 
Initiative: Appropriates funds to increase the personal needs allowances of residents in residential care facilities from $70 to $90.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$125,099	$187,648	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$125,099	$187,648	

Purchased Social Services 0228
 
Initiative: Appropriates funds for home visiting services.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$5,400,000	$5,400,000	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$5,400,000	$5,400,000	

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS)			
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2015-16	2016-17	
			
GENERAL FUND	$18,364,338	$22,459,311	
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND	$13,653,870	$19,458,654	
FUND FOR A HEALTHY MAINE	$0	$0	
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	$142,673	$235,020	
FEDERAL BLOCK GRANT FUND	$3,000,000	$3,000,000	
			
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$35,160,881	$45,152,985	

HOUSING AUTHORITY, MAINE STATE
 
Housing Authority - State 0442
 
Initiative: Reduces funding to recognize the impact of additional transfers of the real estate transfer tax to the General Fund.

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	($3,000,000)	($3,000,000)	
			
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	($3,000,000)	($3,000,000)	

Rental Assistance Program - MSHA N217
 
Initiative: Provides funds for rental assistance.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$3,000,000	$3,000,000	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$3,000,000	$3,000,000	

Shelter Operating Subsidy 0661
 
Initiative: Provides funds for homeless shelters.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$1,500,000	$1,500,000	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$1,500,000	$1,500,000	

HOUSING AUTHORITY, MAINE STATE			
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2015-16	2016-17	
			
GENERAL FUND	$4,500,000	$4,500,000	
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	($3,000,000)	($3,000,000)	
			
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$1,500,000	$1,500,000	

SECTION TOTALS	2015-16	2016-17	
			
GENERAL FUND	$169,735,339	$195,046,832	
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND	$13,653,870	$19,458,654	
FUND FOR A HEALTHY MAINE	$0	$0	
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	($2,854,573)	($2,760,478)	
FEDERAL BLOCK GRANT FUND	$3,000,000	$3,000,000	
			
SECTION TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$183,534,636	$214,745,008	
 
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Amend the amendment by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section number to read consecutively.
 
SUMMARY
This amendment does the following:
1. It increases the amount of funding being diverted from the Housing Opportunities for Maine Fund to the General Fund by $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2015-16 and $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2016-17 and requires that $3,000,000 per year be diverted from the Housing Opportunities for Maine Fund to the General Fund beginning in fiscal year 2017-18; and
2. It provides funding of $3,000,000 per year beginning in fiscal year 2015-16 to a newly created rental assistance program within the Maine State Housing Authority.
This amendment, for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, requires payment of a tax equalization assessment if a resident taxpayer has an expanded income of at least $250,000 for single filers, $325,000 for head of household filers or $400,000 for joint filers and an effective tax rate that is less than the average effective tax rate on state and local taxes paid by the bottom 98% of income earners. Any excess revenue generated by the tax equalization assessment must go to the Maine Budget Stabilization Fund.
This amendment eliminates the reduction in salary and benefit costs used to calculate a school administrative unit's EPS per-pupil rate by the amount of federal funds received under Title I of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The disregarding of those federal funds continues if the State fails to provide funding at the same or a greater level.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)