An Act To Require a Toll-free Telephone Number To Be Maintained by the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 0116
Committee Amendment CA_A_S168 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 39, L.D. 116, Bill, "An Act 
To Require a Toll-free Telephone Number To Be Maintained by the 
Bureau of Unemployment Compensation" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting 
the following: 
'Resolve, 
Directinq 
the 
Unemployment 
Compensation 
Telephone Humber' 
Department 
To 
Provide 
of 
Labor, 
Access 
to 
Bureau 
of 
a 
Toll-free 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title 
and before the summary and inserting in its place the following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts 
Legislature 
do 
not 
become 
effective 
adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; 
and 
until 
and 
resolves 
of 
the 
days 
after 
Whereas, 
individuals 
in 
need 
of 
assistance 
from 
the 
Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation may be 
deterred from seeking that assistance by prohibitive costs of 
toll telephone calls; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts 
create an emergency wi thin 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 
Page l-LR0027(2) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
.,~-
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..;,:ii.:. 
~~\ 0-
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 'A" to S. P. 39, L. D. 116 
Sec. 1. Toll-free telephone line. Resolved: 
That the Department 
of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation shall provide a 
toll-free telephone line to provide information regarding filing 
for, or receipt of, unemployment benefits and to enable persons 
to submit applications to the bureau for those benefits. 
This 
requirement applies only if, and to the extent that, funds are 
allocated by law from distributions made to the State under 
section 903 (d) of the federal Social Security Act on March 13, 
2002, the so-called Reed Act Distribution of 2002; 
and be it 
further. 
Sec. 2. 
Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: 
following appropriations and allocations are made. 
LABOR, DEPAJn.'MERT OF 
Employment Security Services 0245 
That 
the 
Initiative: 
Allocates 
funds 
for 
the 
Bureau of 
Unemployment 
Compensation to provide access to a toll-free telephone line to 
provide information and to file for unemployment benefits. 
Federal Ezpenditures Fund 
All Other 
Federal Expenditures Fund Total 
2003-04 
$413,702 
$413,702 
2004-05 
$4l3,702 
$413,702 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the 
preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This 
amendment 
replaces 
the bill with 
a 
resolve. 
It 
requires 
the 
Department 
of 
Labor, 
Bureau 
of 
Unemployment 
Compensation to provide a toll-free telephone line if, and to the 
extent that, funds are allocated for that purpose from the Reed 
Act Distribution of 2002. 
The line would allow persons to obtain 
information 
about 
unemployment 
benefits 
and 
to 
file 
for 
benefits. 
The amendment also adds an allocation section. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
" 
I 
Appropriations/Allocations 
Federal Expenditures Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 05/13/03 ~ac.. 
Office of Fiscal and Program Review 
LD 116 
An Act To Require a Toll-free Telephone Number To Be Maintained by 
the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation 
LR 0027(02) 
. 
. 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ~" / & 
~ 
Committee: Labor 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
2003-04 
$413,702 
2004-05 
$413,702 
Projections 
2005-06 
$413,702 
Projections 
2006-07 
$413,702 
This bill includes Federal Expenditures Funds allocations of $413,702 in fiscal year 2003-04 and $413,702 in fiscal 
year 2004-05 for the Employment Security Services program within the Department of Labor for the costs associated 
with providing access to a toll-free telephone line to provide information and to submit applications for 
unemployment benefits. This legislation is contingent upon the Reed Act Distribution Funds of 2002 being allocated 
for this purpose. 
LR0027(2) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1