Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1726
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: PRESCOTT, COURTNEY, AUSTIN, BROWNE, CEBRA, GOULD, KNIGHT, THOMAS, DAMON, DIAMOND

Legislative Document 
No. 1726 
H.P.1209 
House of Representatives, March 23, 2007 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Guarantee the Integrity of the Highway Fund 
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative PRESCOTT of Topsham. 
Cosponsored by Senator COURTNEY of York and 
11/~1J7.~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: AUSTIN of Gray, BROWNE of Vassalboro, CEBRA of Naples, GOULD of 
South Berwick, KNIGHT of Livermore Falls, THOMAS of Ripley, Senators: DAMON of 
Hancock, DIAMOND of Cumberland. 
PrinI~U on recycled 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, §19 is amended to read: 
Section 19. Limitation on expenditures from the Highway Fund. All revenues 
derived from fees, ~cises and license taxes relating to registration, operation and use of 
vehieles on public highways, and to fuels used for propulsion of such vehicles funds in 
the Highway Fund shall be expended or transferred solely for cost of administration, 
statutory refunds and adjustments, payment of debts and liabilities incurred in 
construction and reconstruction of highways and bridges, the cost of construction, 
reconstruction, maintenance and repair of public highways and bridges under the 
direction and supervision of a state department having jurisdiction over such highways 
and bridges and expense for state enforcement of traffic laws and shall not be diverted for 
any purpose, provided that these limitations shall not apply to revenue from an excise tax 
on motor vehicles imposed in lieu of personal 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 held in the month 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 expenditures or 
transfers from the Highway Fund for any purpose other than those purposes 
specifically related to highways?" 
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. 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. 
f ... 
SUMMARY 
This constitutional resolution amends the Constitution of Maine to prohibit 
expenditures or transfers from the Highway Fund for any purpose other than those 
purposes specifically related to highways.