An Act To Clarify the Taxable Status of Lobster Traps
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 1739
Committee Amendment CA_A_S552 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,if" to S.P. 656, L.D. 1739, Bill, "An Act To Clarify 
the Taxable Status of Lobster Traps" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To 
Create a Property Tax Exemption for Lobster Traps' 
Further amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and 
inserting in its 'place the following: 
'Constitutional amendment. Resolved: 
Two thirds of each branch of the 
Legislature concurring, that the following amendment to the Constitution of Maine be 
18· proposed: 
Constitution, Art. IX, §8, sub-§6 is enacted to read: 
6. Lobster traps. Beginning with property tax year 2007, lobster traps are exempt 
from taxation as personal property. 
; 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 general election, at the next general election in the month of November 
following 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 provide a property 
tax exemption for lobster traps?" 
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 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT '4' to S.P. 656, L.D. 1739 
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 purpose of this referendum.' 
SU~y 
This amendment creates a resolution to amend the Constitution of Maine to establish 
lOa property tax exemption for lobster traps. 
FISCAL :\OTE REQURED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Referendum Costs 
Approved: 03/28/06 .?dac 
LD 1739 
LR2611(02) 
An Act To Clarify the Taxable Status of Lobster Traps 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,~ " 
Committee: Taxation 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Current biennium cost increase - General Fund 
MonthlYear 
Nov-06 
Election Type 
Question 
General 
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. 
LR2611(2) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1