Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0804
Committee Amendment CA_A_H347 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 599, L.D. 804, "RESOLUTION, 
Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Establish a Unicameral 
Legislature" 
Amend the resolution in that part designated "Constitution, Art. IV, Pt. Fourth" in 
§ 1 in the first 2 lines (page 7, lines 11 and 12 in L.D.) by striking out the following: 
"Notwithstanding Part First and Part Second, beginning" and inserting the following: 
'Beginning' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment strikes language regarding the applicability of requirements for the 
House of Representatives and the Senate to provisions regarding the unicameral 
Legislature, since both the House of Representatives and the Senate would cease to exist 
if the unicameral Legislature were approved. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/21/11 
frac:.. 
LD804 
LR297(02) 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Establish a Unicameral 
Legislature 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ~' 
Committee: State and Local Government 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Current biennium cost increase - General Fund 
Potential future biennium savings - General Fund 
Potential future biennium savings - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Potential future biennium revenue decrease - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Referendum Costs 
MonthlYear 
Election Type 
Question 
Length 
Nov-II 
General 
Referendum 
Standard 
The Secretary of State's budget includes sufficient funds to accommodate one ballot of average length for the general 
election in November. If the number or size of the referendum questions requires production and delivery of a second 
ballot, an additional appropriation of $1 07,250 may be required. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
If approved by the voters, the reduction in the number of Legislators, 35 fewer, would result in future cost savings to 
the Legislature beginning in fiscal year 2016-17. The projected future cost savings to the Legislature in fiscal year 
2016-17, a First Regular Session, are estimated to be approximately $4,651,851, which includes elimination of staff 
for the Senate. In fiscal year 2017-18, the Second Regular Session, the projected future cost savings are estimated to 
be approximately $4,435,515. These savings estimates could increase or decrease depending on certain policy 
decisions that will need to be made, such as the total number of positions needed to support the Unicameral 
Legislature, the number of committees that will be established and any changes in process. Some of these savings 
may also be reduced by one-time renovation costs depending on future decisions for the use of the vacated Senate 
Chamber. 
The amount of payments made through the Maine Clean Election Fund would be reduced beginning in fiscal year 
2015-16. The amount of savings which could be realized is estimated to be $2,600,000 for the 2016 election cycle. 
With fewer candidates, the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices assumes it will not need to 
hire a Planning and Research Assistant for the 2016 election cycle, which would provide additional Other Special 
Revenue Funds savings ofapproximateIy $31,000. 
Other Special Revenue Funds revenue would also be reduced by an estimated $66,000 in fiscal year 2015-16 due to 
fewer candidates and the related qualifying contributions. 
LR0297(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1