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LD 1636

Resolve, To Study Changing The Start Of The State Fiscal Year To October 1St

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Amy Arata and 4 co-sponsors

Directs a formal study on moving Maine's SFY start to Oct 1, assessing feasibility, costs, and effects on budgeting, reporting, and agencies; no immediate change.

Placed in the Legislative Files. (DEAD)
#budgetprocedures #statefinances #statefiscalyear
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Bill Summary · LD 1636

Summary of LD 1636: Resolve, To Study Changing The Start Of The State Fiscal Year To October 1

Overview

LD 1636 is a non-binding Resolve that directs a formal study on changing Maine’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) start date from the current schedule to October 1. The bill is in the carrying-over stage, having been introduced on April 11, 2025, and currently carried over to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature. It was referred to the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs on introduction and carries a procedural pathway for future consideration.

Purpose and Intent

  • The core objective is to evaluate the feasibility, costs, benefits, and administrative implications of shifting the SFY start date to October 1.
  • The study would consider how such a change would affect budgeting, financial reporting, cash flow, and the overall state fiscal cycle.

Key Provisions and How It Would Work

  • Directive to Study: The bill directs the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs to examine the implications of moving the SFY start date to October 1.
  • Scope of Review (as typically encompassed by a Resolve of this type):
    • Feasibility of transition and required statutory amendments.
    • Administrative and operational impacts on state agencies, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, and the Office of the State Controller.
    • Effects on budgeting cycles, revenue forecasting, and timing of appropriations and supplemental budgets.
    • Impacts on payroll, procurement, grants, and federal funds that align with the SFY.
    • Transition costs and potential savings or efficiencies.
    • Any impacts on reporting timelines and compliance with state fiscal rules.
  • Reporting: The committee would prepare a report with findings and recommendations, which could inform future legislative action (e.g., a bill to implement any proposed changes).

Who Would Be Affected

  • State agencies and the executive branch responsible for budgeting, accounting, and financial administration.
  • The Legislature, particularly the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and budget writers.
  • Entities that interact with state procurement, payroll, grants, and fiscal reporting.
  • Taxpayers and recipients of state-funded programs, insofar as the change affects budgeting and fiscal transparency.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: April 11, 2025.
  • Referred to: Appropriations and Financial Affairs (Joint Rule 308.2).
  • Status: Carry Over Approved; CARRIED OVER to a special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature under Joint Order SP 800 (as of June 25, 2025).
  • Next Steps: If carried into a session, the committee would conduct the study and report findings; the Legislature could pursue further statutory changes based on the recommendations.

Potential Impacts to Watch

  • Transition logistics and one-time costs versus long-term savings.
  • Alignment with federal funding cycles and grant award timing.
  • Effects on the timing of budget submissions, hearings, and the biennial budget process.
  • Administrative adjustments required by statutes and fiscal rules.

This LD 1636 does not change the SFY immediately; it initiates a formal review to assess whether a change is desirable and feasible, with a final policy decision to come after the study’s findings.

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

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