Maine Revised Statutes
Chapter 717: ANIMAL WELFARE ACT
7 §3910-B. Companion Animal Sterilization Fund

§3910-B. Companion Animal Sterilization Fund
1.  Establishment.  There is established the Companion Animal Sterilization Fund, an interest-bearing account, referred to in this section as "the fund." The fund receives money deposited by the Treasurer of State pursuant to Title 36, section 5284‑A, revenues generated in accordance with this section, all revenue from the surcharges collected under section 3933, subsection 4, revenue received from surcharges in accordance with section 714, subsection 4 and any money contributed voluntarily to the fund. All money deposited in the fund and the earnings on that money remain in the fund to be used for the spaying or neutering of companion animals owned by persons meeting income limit standards and for the spaying or neutering of a feral cat regardless of a person's income and for the necessary direct administrative and personnel costs associated with the management of the fund and may not be deposited in the General Fund or any other fund except as specifically provided by law. The fund may not be charged for indirect costs under a departmental indirect cost allocation plan.  
[PL 2021, c. 523, §1 (AMD).]
1-A.  Administration of the fund.  The commissioner shall contract the administration of the fund to a suitable animal welfare organization selected through a competitive process. The contracting organization shall administer the fund in accordance with procedures and eligibility standards established under subsection 2. The contracting organization may not expend more than 15% of the fund annually for administrative costs. In the event that the commissioner cannot find a suitable animal welfare organization, the department shall administer the fund.  
[PL 2021, c. 523, §2 (AMD).]
2.  Subsidies; development of standards.  The commissioner shall develop procedures and eligibility standards for the awarding of subsidies to low-income persons for the spaying or neutering of those persons' companion animals. Procedures and eligibility standards must be developed in consultation with veterinarians and representatives of humane societies and animal shelters. The commissioner shall develop procedures to pay a person, regardless of income, 100% of the cost of spaying or neutering a feral cat.  
[PL 2021, c. 523, §3 (AMD).]
3.  Fund-raising.  The commissioner or the commissioner's authorized agent may provide for the creation, reproduction, sale, licensing and distribution and other disposal of any art or other products for the purpose of generating revenues for the fund. All money generated from the sale of these items must be deposited into the fund.  
[PL 2003, c. 682, §4 (NEW).]
4.  Oversight. 
[PL 2021, c. 523, §4 (RP).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2003, c. 682, §4 (NEW). PL 2005, c. 281, §5 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 510, §6 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. CCCC, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 148, §3 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 523, §§1-4 (AMD).

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