Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0838
Committee Amendment CA_A_H77 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" /1" to H.P. 574, L.D. 838, "RESOLUTION, 
Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Elect 2 Senators from Each 
I I 
County and To Increase the Senate Term from 2 to 4 Years" 
Amend the resolution on page I by striking out all of lines 16 to 20 and inserting the 
following: 
'Constitution, Art. IV, Pt. Second, §1 is amended to read: 
Section 1. Number of Senators. The Senate shall consist of an odd number of 
Senators, not less than 3 I nor more than 35, except that on or after December 3, 2014, the 
Senate shall consist of 32 Senators, elected at the same time and for the same term as 
Representatives as provided in Article II, Section 4 by the qualified electors of the 
districts into which the State shall be from time to time divided.' 
Amend the resolution on page I by striking out all of the question (page 1, lines 37 to 
in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
I "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to increase the Senate term from 
years to 4 years effective in the year 2010, and to reduce the size of the Senate from 
no more than 35 members to 32 members by reapportioning senatorial districts to 
coincide with the counties of the State, effective in the year 20 14?" I 
SUMMARY 
This amendment clarifies that the increase in .the length of a Senate term would take 
place in 20 I 0 and the reduction in the size of Senate as a result of reapportioning to 2 
Senators per county would take place in 20 I 4 if the proposal in the constitutional 
referendum is approved. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
Page I -124LRI839(02)-1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/03/09 
,;:::!;paC! 
LD838 
LR 1839(02) 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Elect 2 Senators from 
Each County and To Increase the Senate Term from 2 to 4 Years 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment" A" 
Committee: State and Local Government 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Current biennium cost increase - General Fund 
Future biennium savings - General Fund 
Future biennium savings - Other Special Revenue Funds 
') 
, •• < 
Referendum Costs 
MonthfYear 
Election Type 
Question 
Length 
) 
Nov-09 
General 
Referendum 
Standard 
.,' 
The Secretary of State's budget includes sufficient funds to accommodate one baIlot of average length for the general 
election in November. If the number or size of the referendum questions requires production and delivery ofa second 
baIlot, an additional appropriation of$107,250 may be required. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
If approved by the voters, the Legislature would realize General Fund savings in legislative salaries and expenses 
beginning in fiscal year 2014-15 of approximately $125,000 for a First Regular Session and $102,000 for a Second 
Regular Session due to the reduction in the number of Senators. 
Increasing the Senate term to 4 years would result in cost savings to the Maine Clean Election Fund. If this legislation 
were to go forward and be approved by the voters, 2012 would be the first year savings would be realized to the Fund, 
which are estimated at $1,030,000 in Other Special Revenue Funds. It would also result in a reduction in Other 
Special Revenue Funds revenue of approximately $25,000 from reduced qualifying contributions. 
LR1839(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1 
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