Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0840
Committee: Taxation
Sponsors: McKANE, NASS, CURTIS, DAVIS, FLETCHER, JOY, KNIGHT, PRESCOTT, RICHARDSON, TRAHAN

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE 
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AUGUST4, MAINE 
124th MAl E LEGISLATURE 
. FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2009 
Legislative Document 
No: 840 
H.P.576 
House of Representatives, March 3,2009 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Control Property Tax Increases 
Reference to the Committee on Taxation suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative McKANE of Newcastle. 
Cosponsored by Senator NASS of York and 
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1??1l!tI£~{ 
l'4lLLICENT M. MacFARLAND· 
Clerk 
Representatives: CURTIS of Madison, DAVIS of Sangerville, FLETCHER of Winslow, JOY 
of Crystal, KNIGHT of Livermore Falls, PRESCOTT of Topsham, RICHARDSON of Warren, 
Senator: TRAHAN of Lincoln. 
Printed on recycled p .. pcr 
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~ §8, sub-§6 is enacted to read: 
6. Limit on valuation increases. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this 
section, the valuation of property subject to taxation may not be increased by more, 
than the change since the last valuation in a' standard measure of consumer price 
inflation to be determined by the Legislature. Taxes on new property, improvements 
to property and property that changes ownership must be based on just value in the 
first year of assessment. 
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; and be it further 
Constitutional referendum procedure; form of question; effective 
date. Resolved: That the municipal officers ofthis 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 limit increases in the 
valuation of property to the amount of inflation except that new property, 
improvements to property and property that changes ownership must be valued at 
just value in the first year of assessment?" 
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on tllls 
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 aTe 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 of this re!;jolution necessary to carry ~out the purposes of this referendum. 
SUMMARY 
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to Unlit increases in 
the valuation of property to the amount of inflation except that new property, 
improvements to property and property that changes ownership must be valued at just 
value in the first year of assessment. 
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