Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1511
Committee: Labor
Sponsors: TURNER, MILLETT, MILLS, ROTUNDO, WESTON, CAIN, FISCHER, ROBINSON

Legislative Document 
No. 1511 
S.P.534 
March 20, 2007 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Dispose of Unfunded Liabilities in State Retiree Health 
Care Plans 
Reference to the Committee on Labor suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Senator TURNER of Cumberland. 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Cosponsored by Representative MILLETT of Waterford and Senators: MILLS of Somerset, 
ROTUNDO of Androscoggin, WESTON of Waldo, Representatives: CAIN of Orono, 
FISCHER of Presque Isle, MILLS of Farmington, ROBINSON of Raymond. 
Prllllt'J 1m n:~.)(.:bl p..lrx.T 
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, §24 is enacted to read: 
Section 24. Payment of unfunded liabilities in state retiree health care plans. 
Each fiscal year beginning with the fiscal year starting July 1, 2008, the Legislature shall 
appropriate funds that will retire in 25 years or less the unfunded liabilities in the state 
retiree health care plans. Annual payments must be made on a straight-line basis based 
upon an independent actuarial analysis so that the unfunded liability of the state retiree 
health care plans is eliminated no later than fiscal year 2033. The unfunded liabilities 
referred to in this section are those in existence upon the enactment of this section. A 
further liability may not be incurred for state retiree health care plans unless the liability 
is fully funded at the time it is incurred. 
; 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 eliminate the unfunded 
liabilities of the state retiree health care plans by fiscal year 2033 and to prohibit any 
further liabilities unless those liabilities are fully funded when they are incurred?" 
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 
ofthis resolution necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum. 
SUMMARY 
This constitutional resolution amends the Constitution of Maine to eliminate the 
unfunded liabilities of the state retiree health care plans by fiscal year 2033 and to 
prohibit any further liabilities unless those liabilities are fully funded when they are 
incurred. 
Page) - 123LR1280(OI)-1 
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