Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 0297

Legislative Document 
No. 297 
H.P.222 
House of Representatives, January 18,2005 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Allow the Legislature To Authorize Municipalities To 
Adopt a Property Tax Assistance Program That Reflects a 
Claimant's Ability To Pay 
Reported by Representative WOODBURY of Yarmouth for the Joint Select Committee on 
Property Tax Reform pursuant to Joint Order 2005, H.P. 108. 
Printed on recycled paper 
71/~117.~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Constitutional amendment. 
Resolved: 
Two 
thirds 
branch 
of 
the 
Legislature 
concurr ing, 
that 
the 
amendment to the Constitution of Maine be proposed: 
Constitution, Art. IX, §8, sub-§6 is enacted to read: 
of 
each 
following 
6. 
Municipal 
refJP:l~~.l:opeJ;ty taxe.s. 
The Legislature 
may authorize municipalities to refund a portion of the property 
taxes, or rent constituting property taxes, paid on property that 
is the principal residence of the claimant. 
The refund must be 
calculated to reflect the ability of the claimant to pay the tax 
or rent constituting 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 allow 
the Legislature to authorize municipalities to 
refund 
a 
portion of the property taxes, or rent constituting property 
taxes, paid on a principal residence, with the refund based 
upon the resident's ability to pay?" 
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 the Legislature to authorize municipalities to adopt a 
property tax assistance program that reflects the resident's 
ability to pay. 
FISCAL \OTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
. 
Approved: 01/17/05 ~ac.=. 
LD (not known) 
LR 2163(01) 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Allow the Legislature To 
Authorize Municipalities to Adopt a Property Tax Assistance Program That Reflects a Claimants 
Ability To Pay 
Fiscal Note for Original Bill 
Sponsor: Submitted by the Joint Select Committee on Property Tax Reform pursuant to Joint Order 
2005, H.P. 108. 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Referendum Costs 
MonthlY ear 
Election Type 
Question 
Length 
Nov-OS 
General 
Referendum 
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.