Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 1330
Committee: Taxation
Sponsors: BLAIS, CAMPBELL, GILMAN, JACKSON, TREADWELL

Legislative Document 
No. 1330 
S.P.432 
In Senate, March 12, 2003 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Provide Property Tax Relief for Maine Seniors 
Reference to the Committee on Taxation suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Senator BLAIS of Kennebec. 
Cosponsored by Representative CAMPBELL of Newfield and 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Senator: GILMAN of Cumberland, Representatives: JACKSON of Fort Kent, TREADWELL 
of Carmel. 
Printed on rel:ycleJ paper 
Constitutional amendment. 
Resolved: 
Two 
thirds 
branch 
of 
the 
Legislature 
concurring, 
that 
the 
amendment to the Constitution of Maine be proposed: 
Constitution, Art. IX, §8, sub-§6 is enacted to read: 
of 
each 
following 
6. 
Property taxes based on median income. 
The Legislature 
may allow municipalities to impose property taxes on residential 
property owned by a resident whose income is at or below the 
median income of Maine and who is at least 65 years of age at a 
level egual to the property taxes assessed on that person's 
primary residence at the time the person attained 65 years of age. 
; 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 allow a 
municipality 
to 
impose 
property 
taxes 
on 
residential 
property owned by a resident whose income is at or below the 
median income for Maine and who is at least 65 years of age 
at a level equal to the property taxes assessed on that 
person's primary residence at the time the person attained 
years of age?" 
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 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. 
SUMMARY 
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine 
to allow municipalities to impose property taxes on a home owned 
by a resident whose income is at or below the median income for 
Maine and who is at least 65 years of age at a level equal to the 
property taxes assessed on that person's primary residence at the 
time the person attained 65 years of age.