Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 0205
Committee: Transportation

12lst MAINE LEGISLATURE 
Legislative Document 
No. 205 
H.P.164 
House of Representati ves, January 21, 2003 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine to Permit Funding of Public Transportation from Motor 
Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Fuel Revenues 
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative Mll..LS of Cornville. 
Printed on recycled paper 
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Mll..LICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Constitutional amendment. 
Resolved: 
Two 
thirds 
branch 
of 
the 
Legislature 
concurring, 
that 
the 
amendment to the Constitution of Maine be proposed: 
Constitution, Art. IX, §19 is amended to read: 
of 
each 
following 
Section 19. 
Limitation on expenditure of motor vehicle and 
motor vehicle fuel revenues. 
All revenues derived from fees, 
excises and license taxes relating to registration, operation and 
use of vehicles 
on public highways, 
and to fuels 
used 
for 
propulsion of such vehicles shall be expended solely for cost of 
administration, 
statutory refunds 
and adjustments, 
payment of 
debts and liabilities incurred in construction and reconstruction 
of 
highways 
and 
bridges, 
the 
cost 
of 
construction, 
reconstruction, 
maintenance and repair of public highways 
and 
bridges under the direction and supervision of a state department 
having jurisdiction over such highways and bridges, the cost of 
public 
transportation 
and 
expense 
for 
state 
enforcement 
of 
traffic laws and shall not be diverted for any purpose, provided 
that these limitations shall not apply to revenue from an excise 
tax on motor vehicles imposed in lieu of personal property tax. 
; and be it further 
Constitutional referendum procedure; form of question; effective 
date. Resolved: 
That the municipal officers of this State shall 
notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, 
towns 
and 
plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding 
a statewide election, at a statewide election, on the Tuesday 
following the first Monday of November following the passage of 
this resolution, to vote upon the ratification of the amendment 
proposed in this resolution by voting upon the following question: 
"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to permit 
funding of public transportation from motor vehicle 
and 
motor vehicle fuel revenues?" 
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall 
vote by ballot on this question and designate their choice by a 
cross or check mark placed within the corresponding square below 
the word "Yes" or "No." 
The ballots must be received, sorted, 
counted and declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings 
and returns made to the Secretary of State in the same manner as 
votes for members of the Legislature. 
The Governor shall review 
the returns and, if it appears that a majority of the legal votes 
are cast in favor of the amendment, the Governor shall proclaim 
that fact without delay and the amendment becomes part of the 
Constitution on the date of the proclamation; and be it further 
Secretary of State shall prepare ballots. Resolved: 
That 
the 
Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town 
and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of this resolution 
necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum. 
SUMMARY 
This constitutional resolution permits 
funding of public 
transportation from motor vehicle and motor vehicle fuel revenues.