An Act To Address Funding Needs Related to COVID-19 (AFTER DEADLINE)
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 2163
Committee: Appropriations and Financial Affairs
Sponsors: GIDEON, JACKSON, DILLINGHAM, TIMBERLAKE

Legislative Document
No. 2163
H.P. 1547
House of Representatives, March 17, 2020
An Act To Address Funding Needs Related to COVID-19
(AFTER DEADLINE)
(EMERGENCY)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205.
Reference to the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Speaker GIDEON of Freeport.
Cosponsored by President JACKSON of Aroostook and
Representative: DILLINGHAM of Oxford, Senator: TIMBERLAKE of Androscoggin.
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the 90-day period may not terminate until after the beginning of the next 
fiscal year; and
Whereas, certain obligations and expenses incident to the operation of state 
departments and institutions will become due and payable immediately; 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,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  Transfer; Reserve for General Fund Operating Capital to a 
COVID-19 response fund.  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the State 
Controller may transfer up to $11,000,000 from the balance available in the Reserve for 
General Fund Operating Capital to a COVID-19 response fund established by the State 
Controller to address funding needs related to the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-
19, through January 15, 2021.  Amounts transferred may be expended based on allotment 
established by financial order approved by the State Budget Officer and the Governor. 
The amounts transferred are considered adjustments to appropriations. The Governor 
shall inform the Legislative Council and the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs immediately upon such a 
transfer from the Reserve for General Fund Operating Capital.  Any remaining balance in 
the COVID-19 response fund on January 16, 2021 must be transferred by the State 
Controller to the Reserve for General Fund Operating Capital.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill authorizes transfers from the Reserve for General Fund Operating Capital to 
a COVID-19 response fund in order to address funding needs associated with COVID-19 
through January 15, 2021. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
Approved: 03/15/20
LD 2163
LR 3298(01)
FY 2019-20
FY 2020-21
Projections 
FY 2021-22
Projections 
FY 2022-23
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund
$0
$0
$0
$0
Transfers
General Fund
$0
$0
$0
$0
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Fiscal Note
This bill authorizes transfers of up to $11,000,000 through January 15, 2021 from the Reserve for General Fund 
Operating Capital within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to the COVID-19 Response Fund 
to be established by the State Controller in order to fund needs associated with COVID-19.
An Act To Address Funding Needs Related to COVID-19
Fiscal Note for Original Bill
Sponsor: Spkr. Gideon of Freeport
Committee: Not Referred
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
LR3298(01) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1