An Act To Reduce the Percentage of the Cost of Local Schools Paid by the State from 55% to 49% (AFfER DEADLINE)
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 2272
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: JOY, ANNIS, AYOTTE, CURTIS, GIFFORD, JOHNSON, RICHARDSON, THOMAS, PLOWMAN
Amends: 20-A MRSA §15671

Legislative Document 
No. 2272 
H.P.1638 
House of Representatives, March 24, 2008 
An Act To Reduce the Percentage of the Cost of Local Schools Paid 
by the State from 55% to 49% 
(AFfER DEADLINE) 
(EMERGENCY) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205. 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
Presented by Representative JOY of Crystal. 
!1J~ 
1I1.1lldC~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Cosponsored by Representatives: ANNIS of Dover-Foxcroft, AYOTTE of Caswell, CURTIS 
of Madison, GIFFORD of Lincoln, JOHNSON of Greenville, RICHARDSON of Carmel, 
THOMAS of Ripley, Senator: PLOWMAN of Penobscot. 
Printed on recycled paptr 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, this legislation must take effect prior to the expiration of the 90-day 
period to ensure that the state budget is in balance; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency with in 
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. 20-A MRSA §15671, sub-§l, ,A, as amended by PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, 
§32 and affected by §§72 and 74 and c. 12, Pt. WW, §18, is repealed. 
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §15671, sub-§l, ~, as amended by PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, 
§32 and affected by §§72 and 74 and c. 12, Pt. WW, §18, is further amended to read: 
B. 
By fiscal year 2008-09 the state share of the total cost of funding public 
education from kindergarten to grade 12, as described by essential programs and 
services, must be ~ 
49%. Beginning in fiscal year 2005 06 and in each fiscal year 
until fiscal year 2008 09, the state share of essential programs and services described 
costs must increase toward the 55% level required in fiscal year 2008 09. 
Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §15671, sub-§7, ~, as amended by PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. C, 
§2, is repealed. 
Sec. 4. 20-A MRS A §15752, first " as enacted by PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §63 and 
affected by §§72 and 74 and c. 12, Pt. WW, § 18, is amended to read: 
In accordance with the phase in schedule provided in chapter 606 B, beginning 
Beginning in fiscal year 2008-09, the Legislature each year shall provide at least ~ 
49% of the cost of the total allocation for kindergarten to grade 12 education from 
General Fund revenue sources. 
Sec. 5. Calculation; transfer to unappropriated surplus of the General 
Fund. The State Budget Officer shall calculate the savings resulting from the decrease, 
pursuant to this Act, to 49% in the state share of the total cost offunding public education 
from kindergarten to grade 12 and shall transfer the amounts to the unappropriated 
surplus of the General Fund. These transfers are considered adjustments to appropriations 
in fiscal year 2008-09. 
The State Budget Officer shall provide the Joint Standing 
Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs a report of the transferred amounts 
no later than November 1, 2008. 
Sec. 6. Transfer from unappropriated surplus to the Maine Community 
College System and Department of Health and Human Services. 
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the State Controller shall transfer 
$2,000,000 in fiscal year 2008-09 from the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund to 
Page I - 123LR3575(OI)-1 
the Maine Community College System and shall transfer the balance of the amount 
calculated pursuant to section 5 in equal amounts to: 
1. The Department of Health and Human Services, Foster Care program and Child 
Welfare Program for payment to foster parents and adoption assistance; 
2. The Department of Health and Human Services, Nursing Facilities program for 
long-term care services; and 
3. The Department of Health and Human Services, Long-term Care - Human Services 
program for home-based care services. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited m the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill reduces from 55% to 49% the level of the state share of the total cost of 
funding public education from kindergarten to grade 12. 
The bill directs that the amount of savings resulting from this reduction be used to 
provide funding for the State's foster care program, long-term care services and home-
based care services and the Maine Community College System.