An Act To Preserve Maine's Quality Places
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1872
Committee: Business, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: CUMMINGS, EDMONDS, BARSTOW, CONOVER, KOFFMAN, MIRAMANT, PINGREE, RAND, RICHARDSON, SIMPSON, NUTIING
Amends: 5 MRSA §12004-I, 5 MRSA §6201, 5 MRSA §6203-B, 5 MRSA §6204, 5 MRSA §6206, 5 MRSA §6207, 5 MRSA §6209, 36 MRSA §1811, 5 MRSA §1522

Legislative Document 
No. 1872 
H.P.1305 
House of Representatives, April 24, 2007 
An Act To Preserve Maine's Quality Places 
Reference to the Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development suggested 
and ordered printed. 
Presented by Speaker CUMMINGS of Portland. 
Cosponsored by President EDMONDS of Cumberland and 
!r/~/J?~ 
Mll.LICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: BARSTOW of Gorham, CONOVER of Oakland, KOFFMAN of Bar Harbor, 
MIRAMANT of Camden, PINGREE of North Haven, PIOTrI of Unity, RAND of Portland, 
RICHARDSON of Carmel, SIMPSON of Auburn, Senator: NUTIING of Androscoggin. 
I'rin!ed OR recycled paper 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
PART A 
Sec. A-I. 30-A MRSA c. 225, sub-c. 5 is enacted to read: 
SUBCHAPTER 5 
S 
QUALITY PLACES BONDS 
§6051. Legislative findings 
The Legislature finds that: 
1. People served. The people of this State are served by investments to preserve and 
protect the State's quality places, including revitalizing towns and cities, augmenting land 
and farm conservation, protecting traditional uses of and access to the State's forests, 
farms and lakes and promoting outdoor recreation and high-value tourism; 
2. 
Sufficient investments essential. 
Ensuring sufficient investments in the 
preservation and protection of quality places is essential to the continued vitality of the 
economy of this State; 
S 
3. 
Funding increased investment. 
Funding increased investment in the 
preservation and protection of quality places with increased taxes or by cutting essential 
services to the most vulnerable citizens of this State is not in the best interests of the State 
and would undermine the economy in this State; and 
4. Bonds. Bonds as authorized in this subchapter are tax-exempt or taxable bonds 
repaid as provided in this subchapter and therefore do not represent constitutional debt or 
a pledge ofthe full faith and credit ofthe State. 
§6052. Bonds authorized 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the bank may issue up to $190,000,000 
plus financing costs of bonds to be repaid solely from funds provided in this subchapter. 
2S 
The bank may issue bonds pursuant to a resolution to be adopted by the bank in the 
amount and upon such terms as it considers appropriate. The terms of the bonds, their 
repayment schedule and other provisions to facilitate their creditworthiness must be 
determined by the bank. 
The bonds must be in the form and bear interest at the rate or rates that, under the 
United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in the opinion of bond counsel 
to the bank may be included in or excludable from the gross income of the owners for 
federal income tax purposes and state income tax purposes and must mature at the time 
and have such other terms as are determined by the bank except that no pension cost 
reduction bond may mature more than 20 years from the date of its issue. 
Bonds issued pursuant to this subchapter are not, and may not be deemed to 
constitute, a debt or liability of the State or of any political subdivision of the State, or a 
pledge of the full faith and credit of the State or of any political subdivision of the State, 
but are special obligations of the bank payable solely from the funds and revenues 
pledged for those obligations. 
Proceeds from any sale of the bonds must be deposited in accordance with the 
following: 
1. Land for Maine's Future. An amount equal to 45% of the bond proceeds must 
be deposited into the Land for Maine's Future Fund established in Title 5, section 6323 
for the acquisition of land and interest in larill; 
2. Public Access to Traditional Uses Fund. An amount equal to 5% of the bond 
proceeds must be deposited into the Public Access to Traditional Uses Fund established 
in Title 5, section 6203-B; 
3. Communities for Maine's Future Fund. An amount equal to 45% of the bond 
proceeds must be deposited into the Communities for Maine's Future Fund established in 
Title 5, section 5156; and 
4. Office of Tourism. An amount equal to 5% of the bond proceeds must be 
distributed to the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of 
Tourism. 
§6053. Maine Municipal Bond Bank provisions 
The bank has the powers and duties provided by this chapter, modified and 
supplemented as provided in this section for the purposes set forth in this section. 
1. Definitions. As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, 
the following terms have the following meanings. 
A. 
"Ancillary obligation" means the obligation of the bank under any credit 
enhancement or liquidity agreement, including any obligation in the form of bond 
insurance, a letter of credit, standby bond purchase agreement, reimbursement 
agreement, liquidity facility or other similar arrangement; under any remarketing 
agreement, auction agent agreement, broker-dealer agreement or other agreement 
relating to the marketing of the bonds, interest rate or other type of swap or hedging 
1 
contract; or under any investment agreement, forward purchase agreement or 
similarly structured investment contract entered into by the bank in connection with 
any bonds issued under this subchapter. 
B. "Bonds" means any bonds, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued by the 
bank pursuant to this subchapter. 
C. "Costs of issuance" means any item of expense directly or indirectly payable or 
reimbursable by the bank and related to the authorization, sale or issuance of bonds, 
including, but not limited to, underwriting fees and fees and expenses of professional 
consultants and fiduciaries. 
D. 
"Debt service fund" means the Quality Places Bonds Debt Service Fund 
established by the bank pursuant to subsection 5. 
E. 
"Financing costs" means all costs of issuance, capitalized interest, capitalized 
operating expenses and debt service reserves, fees and costs of any ancillary 
obligation and other fees, expenses and costs related to issuing, securing and 
marketing the bonds. 
2. Declaration of purpose. It is declared to be in the public interest and to be the 
policy of the State to authorize the bank to issue bonds under this subchapter. 
3. Declaration of necessity. It is declared that credit and municipal bond market 
conditions may require the exercise of state powers by authorizing, but not requiring, a 
state instrumentality to issue its bonds to finance all or a portion of the costs of preserving 
}2 
and protecting the State's quality places under this subchapter. 
4. 
Lending and borrowing powers. The bank may assist the State by borrowing 
money to finance or refinance from time to time all or a portion of the costs of preserving 
and protecting the State's quality places and make the proceeds of such borrowing 
available to the State as set out in this subchapter. The principal of and interest on any 
bonds issued by the bank and any ancillary obligation must be secured by the debt service 
fund and capital reserve fund established pursuant to subsection 6 in accordance with and 
as may be determined by resolution of the bank. Bonds, ancillary obligations or other 
forms of debt or liability entered into or issued by the bank under this section are not in 
any way a debt or liability of the State and do not constitute a loan of the credit of the 
State or create any debt or debts or liability or liabilities on behalf of the State or 
constitute a pledge of the faith and credit of the State. Each bond, ancillary obligation or 
other evidence of debt or liability entered into by the bank must contain a statement to the 
effect that the bank is obligated to pay the principal, interest, redemption premium, if any, 
and other amounts payable solely from the sources pledged for that purpose by the bank, 
and that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the State is pledged to the 
payment of the principal, interest, premium, charge, fee or other amount on the bond, 
ancillary obligation or other form of indebtedness, as the case may be. 
5. Debt service fund. The bank shall establish and maintain a debt service fund as a 
trust fund called "the Quality Places Bonds Debt Service Fund" into which there must be 
deposited directly money received from the Quality Places Reserve Fund established by 
Title 5, section 1522, all proceeds of bonds required to be deposited in the debt service 
fund by the terms of any contract between the bank and its bondholders or any resolution 
of the bank with respect to the proceeds of bonds, any other money or funds of the bank 
that it determines to deposit in the debt service fund and any other money or funds 
transferred and made available to the bank only for the purposes of the debt service fund 
from any other source or sources. Money in the debt service fund must be held and 
applied solely to the payment ofthe interest on and principal of bonds secured by the debt 
service fund as they become due and payable and for the retirement of bonds, including 
the payment of any redemption premium required to be paid when any bonds are 
redeemed or retired before maturity or, in accordance with the resolution authorizing the 
issuance of the bonds, for the payment of ancillary obligations, except that, in each 
month, to the extent there is money or funds in the debt service fund not needed in 
accorda'nce with the resolution, and subject in all respects to the prOVISIOns of the 
resolution, the bank shall withdraw any excess money or funds and transfer it to accounts 
identified by the State Controller. 
6. Capital reserve fund. Pursuant to this chapter, a capital reserve fund, upon the 
adoption of a resolution authorizing the issuance of pension cost reduction bonds, must be 
created pursuant to section 6006, subsection I-A with the same effect as provided in 
section 6006 as if set forth fully in this subsection, including the provisions respecting the 
restoration of the capital reserve fund, except that, in lieu of investments prescribed in 
section 6006, subsection 3, the bank may provide for a surety on such terms and 
conditions as prescribed by the resolution establishing the capital reserve fund. 
7. Transfer of funds. So long as there are any bonds issued by the bank under this 
subchapter outstanding, as defined by and under its resolution, and subject to 
appropriation, if any, required by law, for payment and transfer to the debt service fund 
established pursuant to subsection 5, the State Controller shall transfer immediately all 
sums authorized by Title 5, section 1522. 
8. Corporate powers. In addition to all other powers granted to the bank for 
carrying out the purposes of this subchapter the bank may: 
A. Make, enter into and enforce all contracts or agreements necessary, convenient or 
desirable for the purposes of financing or refinancing the costs of preserving and 
protecting the State's quality places; 
B. Invest any funds or money of the bank not then required for funding the costs of 
preserving and protecting the State's quality places in the same manner as permitted 
for the investment of funds belonging to the State or held in the State Treasury, 
except as otherwise permitted or provided by this subchapter; and 
C. Fix and prescribe any form of application or procedure to be required of the State 
or of any agency, political subdivision, instrumentality or department of the State 
with respect to the costs of preserving and protecting the State's quality places and fix 
!he terms and conditions of the costs of preserving and protecting the State's quality 
places and enter into agreements with the State or any agency, political subdivision, 
instrumentality or department of the State or of any political subdivision of the State 
.in connection with the costs of preserving and protecting the State's quality places. 
9. Bonds of bank. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 6003, the bank may 
issue its bonds, including bonds to refund bonds, from time to time in any principal 
amounts pursuant to and as prescribed by this subchapter. 
Hi, A2reements with financial institutions. Notwithstanding the provisions of 
section 6019, the bank may enter into any ancillary obligation or other agreements or 
7 
~QPtra_~~_with. any commercial banks, trust companies or banking or other financial 
institutions within or outside the State that are necessarv, desirable or convenient in the 
opinion of the bank to provide any other services to the bank to assist the bank in 
effectuatin&. the purposes Qfthis :mbchapter. The bank may enter into, amend or terminate 
anLAficiHary obligation as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to place the 
-+2 
Ql;>jigations Of investI[lents of the bank, as represented by the bonds or the investment of 
their proceeds, in whole or in part, on the interest rate, cash flow or other basis approved 
by the bank. The obligation may include without limitation contracts commonly known 
as interest rate swap agreements, forward purchase contracts or guaranteed investment 
contracts and futures or contracts providing for payments based on levels of, or changes 
in, interest rates. These contracts or arrangements may be entered into by the bank in 
connection with or incidental to entering into or maintaining any agreement that secures 
bonds of the bank or any investment or contract providing for investment of reserves or 
similar facility guaranteeing an investment rate for a period of years not to exceed the 
underlying terms of the bonds. The determination by the bank that an ancillary obligation 
or the amendment or termination of an ancillary obligation is necessary or appropriate as 
provided in this subsection is conclusive. Any ancillary obligation may contain such 
payment, security, default, remedy, termination provisions and payments and other terms 
and conditions as determined by the bank, after giving due consideration to the 
creditworthiness of the counterparty or other obligated party, including any rating by any 
nationally recognized rating agency, and to any other criteria as may be appropriate. 
Bonds or any ancillary obligation may contain a recital that they are issued or executed, 
respectively, pursuant to this subchapter. The recital is conclusive evidence of their 
validity and of the regularity of the proceedings relating to them. 
11. Remedies of holders of bonds. In addition to all other rights or remedies set 
forth in section 6023, subsection 2, the trustee appointed pursuant to section 6023, 
subsection 1 may, and upon written request of the holders of 25% in principal amount of 
all outstanding bonds or holders of ancillary obligations in the percentage set forth in the 
bank's authorizing resolution shall, in the trustee's or the bank's own name, by mandamus 
or other suit, action or proceeding at law or in equity, enforce all rights of the 
bondholders or holders of the ancillary obligations and require the bank to carry out any 
other agreements with the bondholders or holders of such ancillary obligations and to 
perform its duties under this subchapter, provided the bonds are limited revenue 
obligations of the bank. The bank's obligations to make debt service payments do not 
constitute a debt or liability of the State or any political subdivision ofthe State other than 
the bank within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory limitation, or a loan of the 
credit of the State, or a pledge of the faith and credit of the State or any political 
subdivision of the State other than the bank, or a contractual obligation in excess of the 
amounts deposited therein, and the State has no continuing legal or moral obligation to 
appropriate money for said payments or other obligations of the bank. Payments of the 
principal of, redemption premium, if any, and interest on the bonds must be made solely 
from amounts derived from the debt service fund established pursuant to subsection 5. 
Neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the State or of any political 
subdivision of the State is pledged to the payment of the principal of, redemption 
premium, if any, or interest on the bonds. The bank has no taxing power. 
§6054. Construction 
This subchapter and all powers granted by this subchapter must be liberally construed 
to effectuate its intent and purposes without implied limitations. This subchapter 
constitutes full and complete authority for all things contemplated to be done in this 
subchapter. All rights and powers granted in this subchapter are cumulative with those 
derived from other sources and may not, except as expressly stated in this subchapter, be 
construed in· limitation thereof. Insofar as the prOVISIons of this subchapter are 
inconsistent with any other provision of law or the provisions of any other Act, general or 
special, the provisions of this subchapter are controlling. 
Sec. A-2. Statutory referendum procedure; submission at election; form 
of question; effective date. This Part must be submitted to the legal voters of the State 
at a statewide election held in the month of November following the passage of this Act. 
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, to vote on the acceptance or rejection of this Part by voting on the following 
question: 
"Do you favor directing the Maine Municipal Bond Bank to issue 
revenue bonds in the amount of $190,000,000 to preserve and protect the 
State's quality places, including revitalizing towns and cities, augmenting 
land and farm conservation, protecting traditional uses and access to 
Maine forests, farms and lakes and promoting outdoor recreation and 
high-value tourism?" 
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 a 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 a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of this Part, the 
Governor shall proclaim the result without delay and this Part becomes effective 30 days 
after the date of the proclamation. 
The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all 
ballots, returns and copies of this Part necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
referendum. 
PARTB 
Sec. B-1. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§6-G is enacted to read: 
6-G. 
Economic 
Development 
Communities for 
Maine's Future 
Advisory Board 
Legislative per 
diem 
Sec. B-2. 30-A MRSA c. 204 is enacted to read: 
CHAPTER 204 
30-AMRSA 
§5154 
COMMUNITIES FOR MAINE'S FUTURE 
§5151. Definitions 
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following tenns 
have the following meanings. 
1. Advisory board. "Advisory board" means the Communities for Maine's Future 
Advisory Board under section 5154. 
2. Community infrastructure. "Community infrastructure" means infrastructure 
that promotes revitalization, redevelopment or preservation of sustainable communities, 
including but not limited to: 
A. Building rehabilitation; 
B. Creation or improvement of green space; 
C. Sidewalk improvements; 
D. Maintenance of recreational trails; 
E. Signs; 
F. 
Public facilities such as libraries, post offices, town offices, fire stations and 
public restrooms located in a downtown or in a designated growth area; 
G. Streetscape improvements, including but not limited to lighting, benches and trash 
receptacles; 
H. Parking; 
l. Downtown housing; 
1. Adaptive uses to ensure compliance with requirements of the federal Americans 
with Disabilities Act; and 
K. Downtown access improvements and waterfront access points. 
3. Department. "Department" means the Department of Economic and Community 
Development. 
4. Fund. "Fund" means the Communities for Maine's Future Fund established in 
section 5156. 
5. 
Pro2ram. 
"Program" means the Communities for Maine's Future program 
established in section 5152. 
§5152. Communities for Maine's Future 
The Communities for Maine's Future program is created within the department to 
provide grants and loans to municipalities or groups of municipalities for community 
infrastructure projects. 
§5153. Eligibility for grants or loans 
1. Distribution of funds. The department. in conjunction with the advisory board. 
shall develop criteria and conditions for the award of grants and loans from the fund 
consistent with this section. The criteria and conditions must include. but may not be 
limited to. the furtherance ofthe following goals: 
A. 
Revitalization. redevelopment, enhancement or historic preservation In 
downtowns, designated growth areas or villages; 
B. Creation or improvement of open and green spaces and parks; 
C. Improvement of tourism services and attractions; 
D. Creation or improvement of access to coastal waters and riverfronts: and 
E. 
Support for community infrastructure needs that achieve the goals of 
revitalization, redevelopment, enhancement, historic preservation and increasing 
tourism. 
2. 
Eligibility for funding. 
An applicant for funding under this chapter must 
demonstrate: 
A. That the applicant has approved comprehensive plans and growth management 
plans and that the project to be funded is consistent with those plans: and 
B. That any project relating to a library, post office, town office. public restroom or 
public safety facility is located in a downtown or designated growth area of a 
municipality. 
3. Prioritv. The department, with input from the advisory board, shall establish 
priorities for the award of grants and loans from the fund consistent with this subsection. 
The priorities established under this subsection must give preference to projects that: 
A. Promote the redevelopment or revitalization of a downtown, a designated growth 
area or a village; 
B. Leverage other private, federal or local funding; 
C. Will produce economic gain to the community; 
D. Have historic or cultural significance; 
E. Will help a community reach goals set forth in that community's comprehensive 
plan; or 
F. Affect more than one community and have regional significance. 
§5154. Advisory board 
1. 
Composition. 
The Communities for Maine's Future Advisory Board, as 
established in Title 5. section 12004-1, subsection 6-G, consists of 1 t members, 6 of 
whom are private citizens and 5 of whom are permanent members. The permanent 
members are the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, the Director 
of the Maine Arts Commission, the Director of the Office of Tourism, the Director of the 
State Planning Office within the Executive Department and the president of the Maine 
Development Foundation. 
2. Appointments. The 6 private citizens are appointed by the Governor and are 
subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction 
over business and community development matters and to confirmation by the 
Legislature. 
3. 
Oualifications. 
Members of the advisory board must be selected for their 
dedicated commitment to community preservation and revitalization. Appointments must 
provide broad geographic representation. 
4. Terms; compensation. The private citizen members are appointed to 4-year 
terms. Private citizen members may not serve more than 2 consecutive 4-year terms. 
Private citizen members receive the legislative per diem pursuant to Title 5, chapter 379. 
5. Board duties. The advisory board shall review applications for funding under 
this chapter and make recommendations to the department on approval of such 
applications for funding. 
§5155. Department duties 
l. Staffine assistance. The department shall provide staffing assistance to the 
advisory board. 
2. Coordination. The department shall coordinate the program with other grant and 
loan programs with similar goals, including but not limited to the Municipal Investment 
Trust Fund established in section 6006-D and the Land for Maine's Future program 
established in Title 5, chapter 353. 
3. Report. The department shall implement the program and shall report on the 
program's activities annually by January 1 st to the joint standing committees of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over state and local government matters, land use planning 
matters and appropriations and financial affairs. 
§5156. Fund created 
The Communities for Maine's Future Fund is created within the department. The 
fund consists of the proceeds from the sale of any bonds authorized for the purposes set 
forth in section 5152 and any funds received as contributions from private and public 
sources for those purposes. The fund must be held separate and apart from all other 
money, funds and accounts. Eligible investment earnings credited to the assets of the 
fund become part of the assets of the fund. Any balance remaining in the fund at the end 
of any fiscal year must be carried forward to the next fiscal year. 
Sec. B-3. Staggered terms. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 
30-A, section 5154, subsection 4, of the original appointments of private citizen members 
to the Communities for Maine's Future Advisory Board, 2 members serve for 2-year 
terms, 2 members serve for 3-year terms and 2 members serve for 4-year terms. 
PARTC 
Sec. C-l. 5 MRSA §6201, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1993, c. 728, §3, is further 
amended to read: 
3. Matching funds. "Matching funds" means any combination of public and private 
funds used in conjunction with the Land for Maine's Future Fund ef~ the Public Access to 
Maine Waters Fund or the Public Access for Traditional Uses Fund for the purpose of 
this chapter, including, but not limited to: private contributions of cash or securities; 
money from municipal or other public agencies; money from a federal matching program, 
subject to the limitations of applicable federal and state laws, in an amount authorized by 
the federal program; contributions of real property, or interest in real property, that serves 
II 
the acquisition needs of the State as determined by the Land for Maine's Future Board; in-
kind contributions; or any combination of those funds. Contributions of land or interest in 
land must be valued, for purposes of this section, in the amount of their appraised value. 
Sec. C-2. 5 MRSA §6203-B is enacted to read: 
§6203-B. Public Access for Traditional Uses Fund 
1. Fund established. The Public Access for Traditional Uses Fund, referred to in 
this section as "the fund," is created and is administered by the board. The fund consists 
of the proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized for the purposes set forth in subsection 
and funds received as contributions from private and public sources for those purposes. 
The fund must be held separate and apart from all other money, funds and accounts. 
Eligible investment earnings credited to the assets of the fund become part of the assets of 
the fund. Any balance remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year must be carried 
forward to the next fiscal year. 
2. 
Fund available. 
The fund is available to state agencies and designated 
cooperating entities upon authorization of the board for the. purposes identified in 
subsection 3. 
3. Fund proceeds. The proceeds of the fund may be applied and expended to: 
A. Acquire property or interests in property that allow access to land for hunting, 
fishing and other traditional recreation purposes; and 
B. Provide minor capital improvements on lands acquired by proceeds from the fund 
to provide public access or improve accessibility, as long as these improvements do 
not exceed 5% of the appraised value of the acquired property. 
Sec. C-3. 5 MRSA §6204, sub-§6, as amended by PL 1993, c. 728, §6, is further 
amended to read: 
6. Assistance. The Department of Conservation; the Department of Inland Fisheries 
and Wildlife; the Department of Transportation; the Department of Agriculture, Food and 
Rural Resources; the State Planning Office; and all other state agencies shall provide 
staff support and assistance considered necessary by the board to fulfill the objectives of 
this chapter. If agency assistance is not available, consultants may be hired from the 
I 
proceeds of either the Land for Maine's Future Fund ef, the Public Access to Maine 
Waters Fund or the Public Access for Traditional Uses Fund to assist the board in 
carrying out its responsibilities. 
Sec. C-4. 5 MRSA §6206, sub-§l, as amended by PL 2005, c. 215, §I, is further 
amended to read: 
1. Responsibilities. The board shall: 
A. 
Complete an assessment of the State's public land acquisition needs and develop 
a strategy and guidelines, based on that assessment, for use in allocating the proceeds 
of the Land for Maine's Future Fund and, the Public Access to Maine Waters Fund 
and the Public Access for Traditional Uses Fund. 
Both the assessment and the 
development of a strategy and guidelines must be conducted with opportunities for 
participation by interested state agencies and the public; 
C. 
Receive and review funding requests from state agencies and cooperating 
entities for acquisition projects meeting state guidelines; 
D. 
In accordance with the strategy and guidelines developed under paragraph A, 
authorize distribution of proceeds from the Land for Maine's Future Fund and, the 
Public Access to Maine Waters Fund and the Public Access for Traditional Uses 
Fund for acquisitions of property or interests in property; and 
E. 
On January 1 st of every odd-numbered year, report to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over matters pertaining to state parks 
and public lands on expenditures from the Land for Maine's Future Fund and, the 
Public Access to Maine Waters Fund and the Public Access for Traditional Uses 
Fund and revisions to the strategies and guidelines. 
This report must include a 
description of access to land and interest in land acquired during the report period. If 
an acquisition has been made that does not include guaranteed public vehicular 
access to the land acquired, the board must provide justification for that acquisition 
and a plan for continuing efforts to acquire guaranteed public access to the land. This 
report must include a summary of the board's experience during the reporting period 
with projects funded pursuant to section 6203 or 6203-A and in which the land or 
interest in land is acquired by a cooperating entity. This report must also include on a 
county-by-county basis a summary of the expenditures made by the board and 
acreage conserved through acquisition of fee or less-than-fee interest by the board 
during the report period. Each report must include cumulative totals by county of 
acreage conserved through acquisition of fee or less-than-fee interest through action 
by the board. 
Sec. C-S. 5 MRSA §6207, as amended by PL 2001, c. 564, § 1, is further amended 
to read: 
§6207. Acquisition criteria 
1. Distribution of funds. The board shall authorize the distribution of funds from 
the Land for Maine's Future fund aM, the Public Access to Maine Waters Fund and the 
Public Access for Traditional Use~ Fund to state agencies and cooperating entities for the 
acquisition of natural lands that meet the criteria set forth in this chapter. 
2. 
Determination of state significance. In determining whether a proposed 
acquisition must be funded, in full or in part, by the Land for Maine's Future Fund 6f~ the 
Public Access to Maine Waters Fund or the Public Access for Traditional Uses Fund, the 
board shall consider whether the site is of state significance and: 
A. 
Contains recreation lands, prime physical features of the Maine landscape, areas 
of special scenic beauty, farmland or open space, undeveloped shorelines, wetlands, 
fragile mountain areas or lands with other conservation, wilderness or recreation 
values; 
B. 
Is habitat for plant or animal species or natural communities considered rare, 
threatened or endangered in the State; or 
C. 
Provides nonmotorized or motorized public access to recreation opportunities or 
those natural resources identified in this section. 
3. Priorities. Whenever possible, the Land for Maine's Future Fund aHEI~ the Public 
Access to Maine Waters Fund and the Public Access for Traditional Uses Fund must be 
used for land acquisition projects when matching funds are available from cooperating 
entities, provided that the proposed acquisition meets all other criteria set forth in this 
chapter. For acquisitions funded by the Land for Maine's Future Fund, the board shall 
give priority to projects that conserve lands with multiple outstanding resource or 
recreation values or a single exceptional value, provide geographic representation and 
build upon or connect existing holdings. 
When acquiring land or interest in land, the board shall examine public vehicular access 
rights to the land and, whenever possible and appropriate, acquire guaranteed public 
vehicular access as part of the acquisition. 
4. Nonqualifying expenditures. The board may not fund: 
A. 
Facilities for organized recreational activities, including, but not limited to, 
ballparks, tennis courts or playgrounds; 
B. 
Except as provided in section 6203, subsection 3, paragraph B and section 6203-
A, subsection 3, paragraph B, capital improvements on any publicly owned facilities; 
and 
C. 
The acquisition of land of which the primary use value has been and will be as 
commercially harvested or harvestable forest land. 
5. Estimation of monitoring and management costs. Prior to final approval of a 
project under this chapter, a person submitting a proposal to acquire property or an 
interest in property with funding from the Land for Maine's Future Fund 6f~ the Public 
Access to Maine Waters Fund and the Public Access for Traditional Uses Fund shall 
provide: 
A. 
A description of the management envisioned for the property for the first 10 
years following acquisition. When the application proposes acquiring an interest in 
property, the application must provide a description of the anticipated management 
responsibilities retained by the landowner and those to be assumed by the State or a 
cooperating entity; 
B. 
Preliminary estimates of the costs to the State or a cooperating entity of 
managing the land for the uses proposed in the application; and 
C. 
Preliminary estimates of the costs associated with monitoring compliance with 
an easement when an interest in land is acquired. 
Sec. C-6. 5 MRSA §6209, sub-§l, as amended by PL 1993, c. 728, §13, is 
further amended to read: 
, 
1. Uses of funds. The board may use the Land for Maine's Future Fund aOO~ the 
Public Access to Maine Waters Fund and the Public Access for Traditional Uses Fund to 
acquire real property in both fee and less-than-fee simple interest, including, but not 
limited to, conservation easements, access easements, scenic easements, other permanent 
interests in land and long-term leases of at least 99 years, provided that as long as those 
acquisitions are primarily natural lands meeting the criteria set forth in this chapter. 
Sec. C-7. 5 MRSA §6209, sub-§5, as amended by PL 1993, c. 728, §13, is 
further amended to read: 
5. Land evaluated. All lands acquired with money from the Land for Maine's 
Future Fund er~ the Public Access to Maine Waters Fund and the Public Access for 
Traditional U~es Fund must be evaluated for rare, threatened or endangered species of 
plants and animals, exemplary natural communities, features of historic significance and 
other high priority natural features and ecologic functions as determined by the board, 
with reference to the best inventory data available to the State. Subsequent management 
by state agencies holding properties found to have such important features and functions 
must reflect the objective of maintaining and protecting those features and functions. 
PARTD 
Sec. D-l. 36 MRSA §1811, first ~, as amended by PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. TTTT, 
§2 and affected by §3, is further amended to read: 
A tax is imposed on the value of all tangible personal property and taxable services 
sold at retail in this State. The rate of tax is 7% on the value of liquor sold in licensed 
establishments as defined in Title 28-A, section 2, subsection 15, in accordance with Title 
28-A, chapter 43; 7% on the value of rental ofliving quarters in any hotel, rooming house 
or tourist or trailer camp; 10% on the value of rental for a period of less than one year of 
an automobile; 7% on the value of prepared food; and 5% on the value of all other 
tangible personal property and taxable services. An additional tax at the rate of 3% is 
imposed on the value of rental of living quarters in any hotel, rooming house or tourist or 
trailer camp, the revenue from which must be deposited in the Quality Places Reserve 
Fund created in Title 5, section 1522. Value is measured by the sale price, except as 
otherwise provided. 
PART E 
Sec. E-l. 5 MRSA §1522 is enacted to read: 
§1522. Quality Places Reserve Fund 
1. Fund established. The Quality Places Reserve Fund is established and consists 
of all resources transferred to the fund pursuant to Title 36, section 1811 and any other 
resources made available to the fund. 
2. Uses of fund. Funds in the Quality Places Reserve Fund must be held and applied 
solely: 
A. To the payment of the interest and principal on bonds secured by the debt service 
fund in accordance with Title 30-A, chapter 225, subchapter 5; and 
B. 
To the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of 
Tourism as provided in subsection 3. 
3. Office of Tourism. An amount equal to 5% of the funds deposited in the Quality 
Places Reserve Fund must be transferred monthly to the Department of Economic and 
Community Development, Office of Tourism. 
PART F 
Sec. F-l. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF 
Office of Tourism 
Initiative: Allocates funds to promote outdoor recreation and high-value tourism through 
branding and marketing. 
QUALITY PLACES RESERVE FUND 
All Other 
QUALITY PLACES RESERVE FUND TOTAL 
PART G 
2007-08 
$5,000,000 
$5,000,000 
2008-09 
$0 
$0 
Sec. G-l. Contingent effective date. Parts B to F of this Act take effect only if 
P.art A is approved by the voters at referendum in accordance with Part A, section 2. If 
Part A of this Act is approved at referendum, Parts B to F of this Act take effect 90 days 
after the Governor's proclamation regarding the voter approval of Part A. 
SUMMARY 
Part A of this bill directs the Maine Municipal Bond Bank to issue revenue bonds in 
the amount of $190,000,000 to preserve and protect the State's quality places, including 
revitalizing towns and cities, augmenting land and farm conservation, protecting 
I 
traditional uses and access to Maine forests, fanus and lakes and promoting outdoor 
recreation and high-value tourism. The effect of Part A is contingent on voter approval of 
the issuance of the revenue bonds. 
Part B of this bill establishes the Communities for Maine's Future program in the 
Department of Economic and Community Development to provide grants and loans from 
the sale of any bonds authorized pursuant to Part A to municipalities and groups of 
municipalities for community infrastructure projects. 
Part C of this bill establishes the Public Access for Traditional Uses Fund within the 
Land for Maine's Future program. 
Part D imposes an additional tax of 3% on the value of lodging and directs that the 
II 
revenue from this additional tax be deposited in the Quality Places Reserve Fund. 
Part E establishes the Quality Places Reserve Fund and specifies that an amount equal 
to 95% of the revenue in the fund be applied solely to the payment of interest and 
principal on the revenue bonds issued pursuant to Part A. An amount equal to 5% must 
be transferred to the Office of Tourism. 
Part F allocates $5,000,000 from the Quality Places Reserve Fund to the Department 
of Economic. and Community Development, Office of Tourism to promote outdoor 
recreation and high-value tourism through branding and marketing. 
Part G specifies that Parts B, C, D, E and F are contingent on voter approval of the 
issuance of the revenue bonds contained in Part A.