Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 0968
Committee: State and Local Government

Legislative Document 
No. 968 
H.P.678 
House of Representatives, February 24, 2005 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Prohibit the Imposition of Any New or Increased Tax or 
Fee through the Citizen Initiative Process 
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representati ve CRESSEY of Cornish. 
Printed on reeye leu paper 
7l/~ 
frJ.11!u£~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Constitutional amendment. 
Resolved: 
Two 
thirds 
branch 
of 
the 
Legislature 
concurring, 
that 
the 
amendment to the Constitution of Maine be proposed: 
of 
each 
following 
Constitution. Art. IV. Part Third. §18. sub-§l is amended to read: 
1. 
Petition procedure. 
The electors may propose to the 
Legislature 
for 
its 
consideration 
any 
bill, 
resolve 
or 
resolution, 
including 
bills 
to 
amend 
or 
repeal 
emergency 
legislation but not an amendment of the State Constitution or an 
initiative that contains 
a 
new or increased tax or fee, 
by 
written petition addressed to the Legislature or to either branch 
thereof and filed in the office of the Secretary of State by the 
hour of 5:00 p.m., on or before the 50th day after the date of 
convening of the Legislature in first regular session or on or 
before 
the 
25th 
day 
after 
the 
date 
of 
convening 
of 
the 
Legislature in second regular session. 
If the 50th or 25th day, 
whichever applies, is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the 
period runs until the hour of 5:00 p.m., of the next day which is 
not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. 
; 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 prohibit 
the imposition of any new or increased fees or taxes through 
the citizen initiative process?" 
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall 
]8 
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 
Page l-LR1643 (l) 
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 amending the Constitution of Maine 
to prohibit the imposition of any new or increased taxes or fees 
through the citizen initiative process.