Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 0940
Committee: Taxation
Sponsors: McNEIL

Legislative Document 
No. 940 
H.P.697 
House of Representatives, February 25, 2003 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Cap the Property Taxes of Homes That Have Been in the 
Same Family for 4 Generations 
Reference to the Committee on Taxation suggested and ordered printed. 
!r/~/J7.~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative McNEIL of Rockland. (BY REQUEST) 
Cosponsored by Senator SA V AGE of Knox. 
Printed on recyded paper 
Constitutional amendment. 
Resolved: 
Two 
thirds 
of 
each 
branch 
of 
the 
Legislature 
concurring, 
that 
the 
following 
amendment to the Constitution of Maine be proposed: 
Constitution, Art. IX, §8, sub-§6 is enac ted to read: 
6. 
Annual cap on homes resided in by same family. 
The 
Legislature shall fix tax rates imposed by municipalities on real 
property owned by members of the same family for at least 4 
generations of that family. 
Property continues to be eligible 
for 
a 
fixed property tax 
rate if it is not 
subdivided or 
developed beyond the state in which it exists as of the tax cap. 
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 cap 
property tax imposed 
on real property that is 
owned 
members of the same family for at least 4 generations, 
long as the property is not subdivided or developed?" 
the 
by 
as 
The legal 
vote by ballot 
cross or check 
the word "Yes" 
voters of each city, town and plantation shall 
on this question and designate their choice by a 
mark placed within the corresponding square below 
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 of Maine 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. 
Page l-LR156l(1) 
SUMMARY 
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine 
to 
require 
the 
Legislature 
to 
enact 
a 
law 
that 
prohibits 
municipali ties from increasing property taxes on real property 
that is held by members 
of the 
same 
family 
for at least 4 
generations of that family. 
Property that was later subdivided 
or developed would become ineligible for the tax cap.