An Act To Sustain Maine Schools and Libraries
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 1259
Committee Amendment CA_A_S116 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ·A" to S.P. 439, L.D. 1259, Bill, 
Act To Sustain Maine Schools and Libraries" 
"An 
Amend the bill by inserting after the title and before the 
enacting clause the following: 
· Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted 
as emergencies; and 
Whereas, because the Maine schools and libraries program 
administered by the Public Utilities Commission is currently 
confronting cash flow issues as a result of delays in federal 
funding 
for 
certain 
program 
elements, 
it is 
important 
to 
immediately provide authority to the commission to increase the 
assessment used to fund the program; 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,' 
Further amend the bill in section I 
in paragraph A in the 
first line 
(page 
1, 
line 
in L.D. ) 
by 
striking out 
the 
following: 
"0.6%" 
and inserting in its place the following: 
.~. 
Page l-LR0327(2) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
..-t. ... 
SO 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT A 
.. to S.P. 439, L.D. 1259 
Further amend the bill by striking out all of section 2 and 
inserting in its place the following: 
'Sec. 2. Report; authority to report out legislation. 
By January 30, 
2006, the Public Utilities Commission shall provide a report to 
the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy detailing 
the status of available revenues 
and expenditures, 
including 
federal funds, for the schools and libraries program supported by 
the telecommunications education access fund established under 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, 
section 7104-B. 
The 
Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy may report out 
legislation 
to 
the 
Second 
Regular 
Session 
of 
the 
122nd 
Legislature 
concerning 
the 
subject 
of 
the 
Public Utilities 
Commission report. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the 
preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment does the following: 
1. 
It increases the amount collected for the education 
access 
technology 
fund 
established 
under 
the 
Maine 
Revised 
Statutes, Title 35-A, section 7104-B from the 0.6'\ proposed in 
the bill to 0.7'\ of intrastate retail charges; 
2. 
It removes the section of the bill providing for a 
temporary increase in the telecommunications education access 
fund assessment to 0.8'\ of intrastate retail charges; 
3. 
It adds a provision to the bill 
requ~r~ng the Public 
Utilities Commission to provide a report to the Joint Standing 
Committee 
on Utilities 
and 
Energy 
detailing 
the 
status 
of 
available revenues and expenditures, including federal funds, for 
the 
schools 
and 
libraries 
program 
supported 
by 
the 
telecommunications education access fund; 
4. 
It authorizes the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities 
and Energy to report. out legislation to the 
Second Regular 
Session of the 122nd Legislature concerning the subject of the 
Public Utilities Commission report; and 
5. 
It adds an emergency preamble and an emergency clause to 
the bill. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Revenue 
Other Funds 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 04/15105 ~ae 
LD 1259 
LR0327(02) 
An Act To Sustain Maine Schools and Libraries 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment A 
Committee: Utilities and Energy 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
2005-06 
2006-07 
$1,160,000 
$1,160,000 
Projections 
2007-08 
$1,160,000 
Projections 
2008-09 
$1,160,000 
This bill increases the intrastate retail charge for telecommunications services from .5% to .7%. The increase will 
provide additional funding for the Telecommunications Education Access Fund of approximately $1,160,000 annually 
beginning in fiscal year 2005-06. 
LR0327(2) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1