Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0144
Committee Amendment CA_A-SA_A_S322 (Senate)

SENATE AMENDMENT" A" to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 123, 
L.D. 144, "RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To 
Reduce the Size of the Legislature" 
Amend the amendment by striking out all of the first and 2nd indented paragraphs 
after the title (page 1, lines 12 to 15 in amendment) and inserting the following: 
'Amend the resolution by striking out all of the 2nd to 7th indented paragraphs and 
inserting the following: 
'Constitution, Art. IV, Pt. First, §2 is amended to read: 
Section 2. Number of Representatives; biennial terms; division of the 
State into districts for House of Representatives. The House of Representatives 
shall consist of 151 members, except that, for the Legislature that convenes in 2015 and 
thereafter, the House of Representatives shall consist of l31, 141 or 151 members, the 
specific number to be determined by the most recent Legislative Apportionment 
Commission, to be elected by the qualified electors, and hold their office 2 years from the 
day next preceding the first Wednesday in December following the general election. The 
Legislature which convenes in 1983 and every 10th year thereafter shall cause the State to 
be divided into districts for the choice of one Representative for each district. The 
number of Representatives shall be divided into the number of inhabitants of the State 
exclusive of foreigners not naturalized according to the latest Federal Decennial Census 
or a State Census previously ordered by the Legislature to coincide with the Federal 
Decennial Census, to determine a mean population figure for each Representative 
District. 
Each Representative District shall be formed of contiguous and compact 
territory and shall cross political subdivision lines the least number of times necessary to 
establish as nearly as practicable equally populated districts. Whenever the popUlation of 
a municipality entitles it to more than one district, all whole districts shall be drawn 
within municipal boundaries. Any population remainder within the municipality shall be 
included in a district with contiguous territory and shall be kept intact.' , 
Amend the amendment by striking out all of the last 2 lines before the summary 
(page 1, lines 18 and 19 in amendment) and inserting the following: 
, "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to alter the size of the House of 
Representatives beginning in 2015 from the CUlTent 151 members to a number of 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
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SENATE AMENDMENT" A" to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 123, L.D. 144 
members equal to 131, 141 or 151, the specific number to be determined by the 
Legislative Apportionment Commission?" I 
SUMMARY 
This amendment proposes altering the size of the House of Representatives beginning 
in 2015 from the current 151 members to a number of members equal to 131, 141 or 151, 
the specific number to be detennined by the Le~tive Apportionment Commission. 
SPONSORED BYY;>L 
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COUNTY: Cumberland 
FISCAL ~OTE 'REQLlRED 
(See att.ac~edL 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
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Approved: 06/10/09 
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LD 144 
LR 75(06) 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Reduce the Size of the 
Legislature 
Fiscal Note for Senate Amendment "It, to Committee Amendment "A" 
Sponsor: Sen. Diamond of Cumberland 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Potential reduction in future biennium savings - General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
This amendment makes any reduction in the size of the House of Representatives contingent not only on the 
referendum vote, but also on the decision of the next apportionment commission and the I 26th Legislature. It also 
eliminates the shift in.the timing of the costs of the apportionment commission by delaying the effective date, but 
delays any potential future savings to fiscal year 2014-15. 
If approved by the voters, the amount of any future savings will depend on the recommendations of the next 
apportionment commission and the 126th Legislature. If the size of the House is reduced to the lowest number of 131, 
then the estimated savings to the Legislature are approximately $880,000 for a 1st Regular and $720,000 for a 2nd 
Regular Session. The Maine Clean Elections Fund could also realize savings from a reduction in the number of 
candidates. Again, assuming the lowest number of 131, the maximum potential savings to the Maine Clean Elections 
Fund would be $95,000 in fiscal year 2013-14. 
LR0075(06) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1