Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1726
Committee Amendment CA_A_H755 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " to H.P. 1209, L.D. 1726, "RESOLUTION, 
Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Guarantee the Integrity of the 
I I 
Highway Fund" 
Amend the resolution by striking out all of section 19 (page I, lines 5 to 15 in L.D.) 
and inserting the following: 
'Section 19. Highway Fund. All revenues derived from fees, excises and license 
taxes relating to registration, operation and use of vehicles on public highways, and to 
fuels used for propulsion of such vehicles shall be expended solely for cost of 
administration, statutory refunds and adjustments, payment of debts and liabilities 
incurred in construction and reconstruction of higlnvays and bridges, the cost of 
construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair of public high'ways 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 tmc The Legislature 
shall establish and maintain in accordance with this section a Highway Fund. 
1. Receiving funds. The Highway Fund may receive funds from any source. 
2. Required deposits. The funds described in this subsection must be deposited into 
the Highway Fund: 
A. All revenues derived from fees, excises and license taxes relating to registration, 
operation and use of vehicles on public highways, not including revenues from an 
excise tax on motor vehicles imposed in lieu of personal property tax; and 
B. All revenues derived from fees, excises and license taxes relating to fuels used for 
propulsion of vehicles on public highways. 
3. Expenditures. Funds in the Highway Fund. including all funds deposited into or 
allocated or appropriated to the Highway Fund and any proceeds or income from funds in 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT .. A .. to H.P. 1209, L.D. 1726 
the Highway Fund, may be allocated or expended only for the purposes described under 
this subsection and may not be diverted to or used for any other purpose: 
A. The cost of administration, statutory refunds and adjustments and payment of 
debts and liabilities incurred in construction and reconstruction of public highways 
and bridges under the direction and supervision of a state department having 
jurisdiction over such highways and bridges; 
B. 
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; 
C. The cost of providing, operating, managing and maintaining a state ferry service 
under the direction and supervision of a state department or agency for ferry routes 
designated by the Legislature to and from island communities; and 
D. The expense for state enforcement of traffic laws.' 
Amend the resolution by striking out all of the question (page 1, lines 23 to 25 111 
L.D.) and inserting the following: 
' "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to require that certain 
transportation-related revenues be placed in the Highway Fund and to require that all 
funds in the Highway Fund be used solely for specified transportation-related 
purposes?" , 
SUMMARY 
This amendment clarifies the changes to Article IX, Section 19 of the Constitution of 
Maine proposed by the bill. 
Under this amendment the constitutional provision will 
require the creation of a Highway Fund, require that certain revenues be placed in that 
fund, allow other funds to be placed in the fund and require that all funds in that fund be 
used solely for certain transportation-related purposes. Transportation-related purposes 
include construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair of public highways and 
bridges under the direction and supervision of the Department of Transportation; 
providing, operating, managing and maintaining the Maine State Ferry Service; and state 
enforcement of traffic laws. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
1 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 03/12/08 .wac: 
LD 1726 
LR 2052(02) 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Guarantee the Integrity of 
the Highway Fund 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment" /}" 
Committee: Transportation 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
CUITent biennium cost increase - General Fund 
Referendum Costs 
Month/Year 
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 $S,OOO or more may be required. 
LR2052(02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of 1