Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 1308
Committee Amendment CA_A_H300 (House)

COMMITTEE 
AMENDMENT ".ff" 
to 
H.P. 
962, 
L.D. 
l308, 
"RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine 
To Restrict the Appearance of Referenda on Ballots at General 
Elections" 
Amend the resolution on page 
by striking out all of 
section 24 (page 1, lines 7 to 13 in L.D.) and inserting in its 
place the fOllowing: 
'24. 
Timing of referenda. 
Except for ratification by the 
yoters pursuant to a people's veto under Section 17, whenever 
ratification by a majority of the electors is essential to the 
validity of a legislative measure, the referendum g;uestion must 
appear on the ballot at the annual statewide election held on the 
Taesday following the first Mond~ of November; and except also 
that. whenever 213 of both Houses declare it an emergency by a 
separate vote, the referendum g;uestion may appear on the ballot 
at a primary or special election.' 
Further amend the resolution on page 1 in section 14 in the 
16th and 17th lines (page 1, lines 33 and 34 in L.D.) by striking 
out the following: 
"a general 9r-speeia± election" and inserting 
in its place the following: 
'a-~-a-l--G-l'--speeia± ~ election 
designated in Article IV. Part Third, Section 24' 
Further amend the resolution by striking out all of the 
question (page 2, lines 33 to 36 in L.D.) and inserting in its 
place the following: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
r~ ~v .• 
~~ 
;,,~ .. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "j}, to H.P. 962, L.D. 1308 
"Do 
you favor 
amending the Constitution of Maine 
to 
require that referendum questions appear on the ballot at 
the statewide election in November, except for people's veto 
questions and questions that 2/3 of the Legislature have 
declared to be emergencies?" , 
SUMMARY 
This 
amendment 
is 
the majority report. 
This 
amendment 
changes the requirements for the timing of referenda to specify 
that 
referendum questions 
must 
appear 
on 
the ballot at 
a 
statewide election in November, except for people's vetoes and 
questions 
that 
2/3 
of the Legislature have 
declared to 
be 
emergencies. 
FISCAL \OTF: REQljlRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Referendum Costs 
Approved: 04/25103 ;:t;pac:.. 
Office of Fiscal and Program Review 
LD 1308 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine 
To Restrict the Appearance of Referenda on Ballots at General Elections 
LR 1103(02) 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment" " 
Committee: Legal and Veterans Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Potential current biennium cost increase - General Fund 
Potential current biennium cost decrease - General Fund 
MonthlY ear 
Election Type 
Nov-03 
General 
Question 
Referendum 
Length 
Standard 
The Secretary of State's budget includes sufficient funds to accommodate one ballot of average length for the general 
election in November. If the number or size of the referendum questions increases the ballot length, an additional 
appropriation of $8,000 or more may be required. A special election would require an additional appropriation of 
$121,392. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Putting this resolution on the ballot may increase costs. If approved by the voters there could be savings from not 
having as many special elections. 
LRII03(2) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1