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LD 1017

An Act To Include Food Provided Or Served At Emergency Shelters In General Assistance Reimbursement

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kristen Cloutier and 9 co-sponsors

Includes shelter food costs in GA reimbursements to municipalities, starting July 1, 2026; increases General Fund costs.

Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)
#foodservedinshelters #generalassistance #statereimbursement
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 1017

Summary of LD 1017: An Act To Include Food Provided Or Served at Emergency Shelters In General Assistance Reimbursement

Overview

  • Bill: LD 1017, "An Act To Include Food Provided Or Served at Emergency Shelters In General Assistance Reimbursement"
  • Sponsor: Sen. Talbot Ross (Cumberland)
  • Committee: Health and Human Services
  • Purpose: Require the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to include the cost of food provided or served at emergency shelters in the reimbursement of general assistance (GA) costs to municipalities.
  • Status: CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature (Joint Order SP 800)

Purpose and Intent

The bill seeks to ensure that municipalities are reimbursed for the cost of meals and food provided to GA recipients who are served in emergency shelters. Currently, shelter food costs are not included in GA reimbursements; this bill would add those costs to the items eligible for state reimbursement through GA funding.

Key Provisions

  • Inclusion of Shelter Food in GA Reimbursements:
    • Beginning July 1, 2026, DHHS must include the cost of food provided or served at emergency shelters when calculating and reimbursing municipalities for GA costs.
  • Reimbursement Mechanism:
    • The included shelter food costs would be treated as part of the General Assistance reimbursement from the state to municipalities.
  • Administrative Details:
    • The precise fiscal impact is not determinable at this time due to GA recipient data being tracked at the municipal level and variability over time; the bill would increase the General Fund costs associated with GA reimbursements.

Fiscal Impact (as Described in Fiscal Notes)

  • Preliminary Fiscal Note (LR 2300(01)):
    • Current biennium cost increase to the General Fund.
    • The cost increase arises from including shelter food costs in GA reimbursements to municipalities.
    • A more precise estimate cannot be provided because municipal-level GA recipient data vary over time.
  • Fiscal Note (LR 2300(02), as Amended):
    • Reiterates the same conclusion: beginning July 1, 2026, shelter food costs must be included in GA reimbursements.
    • The overall impact on GA funding is unknown with precision due to data limitations, but the change will increase General Fund costs.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Municipalities: Potential increase in GA reimbursement funds to cover shelter food costs for GA recipients.
  • General Assistance Program (State Level): Higher reimbursement obligations for DHHS to municipalities.
  • Emergency Shelters: Financial implications from funded food costs being eligible for GA reimbursement.

Implementation Timeline and Procedural Details

  • Introduction and Referral:
    • Introduced March 12, 2025; Referred to the House/Senate Health and Human Services committee.
  • Legislative Process Highlights:
    • Work sessions and committee activity culminating in Committee Amendment "A" (S-149) adopted in May 2025.
    • Multiple steps: OTP-AM/ONTP, second reading, engrossment, and concurrence activities.
    • May 29, 2025: Bill passed to be enacted and sent for concurrence.
    • Late May 2025: Various approvals and concurrence steps completed.
    • June 2, 2025: Placed on the Special Appropriations Table pending ENACTMENT in concurrence.
    • June 25, 2025: Carried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session (Joint Order SP 800).
  • Effective Date:
    • The bill specifies an implementation date of July 1, 2026 for including shelter food costs in GA reimbursements.

Notes for Readers

  • The bill is described as fiscally impactful but with an undetermined precise amount due to municipal-level data variability.
  • The carryover status means the bill remains alive and could be reintroduced or considered in a subsequent 132nd Legislature session (special or regular), depending on future actions under SP 800.

If you’d like, I can provide a plain-language one-page brief or a side-by-side comparison with current GA reimbursement rules.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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