Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0489
Committee Amendment CA_A_H390 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "ft" to H.P. 339, L.D. 489, "RESOLUTION, 
Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Increase the Lengths of Terms 
of Members of the Legislature" 
Amend the resolution by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To 
Increase the Lengths of Terms and Decrease the Number of Terms of Members of 
the Legislature' 
Amend the resolution in that part designated "Constitution, Art. IV, Pt. First, §2" in 
Section 2 in the 5th line (page I, line 21 in L.D.) by inserting after the following: 
"election." the following: 'A person may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms as a 
member of the House of Representatives.' 
Amend the resolution by adding after that part designated "Constitution, Art. IV, Pt. 
First, §5" the following: 
'Constitution, Art. IV, Pt. Second, §1 is amended to read: 
Section 1. Number of Senators; terms. The Senate shall consist of an odd 
number of Senators, not less than 31 nor more than 35, elected at the same time and for 
the same term as Representatives by the qualified electors of the districts into which the 
State shall be from time to time divided. 
A person may not serve more than 2 
consecutive terms as a member of the Senate.' 
Amend the resolution in the question in the last line (page 3, line 33 in L.D.) by 
inserting after the following: 
"4 years" the following: 
'and to limit the number of 
consecutive terms State Senators and members of the House of Representatives may 
serve from 4 terms to 2 terms' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment is the majority report of the committee. The resolution proposes to 
increase the length of terms of members of the State Senate and the House of 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~~ 
~2 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 339, L.D. 489 
Representatives from 2 years to 4 years. The amendment also proposes to amend the 
Constitution of Maine to limit the number of consecutive terms members of the State 
Senate and the House of Representatives may serve from 4 terms to 2 terms. 
The 
amendment changes the question to reflect the changes proposed in this amendment. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: OS/22/13 frac.. 
LD489 
LR 694(03) 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Increase the Lengths of 
Referendum Costs 
Terms of Members of the Legislature 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'A' 
Committee: State and Local Government 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Future biennium savings - General Fund 
Future biennium savings - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Minor revenue decrease - Other Special Revenue Funds 
CH-390J 
MonthlY ear 
Election Type 
Question 
Length 
Nov-13 
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 requires production and delivery of a second 
ballot, an additional appropriation of $1 07,250 may be required. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
If approved by the voters, the Legislature would realize savings of approximately $45,000 in fiscal year 2018-19 and 
every 2 years thereafter from reduced new member orientation expenses. 
If approved by the voters, this constitutional amendment would increase legislative terms from 2 to 4 years. This 
change will result in an Other Special Revenue Funds savings of $426,877 in fiscal year 2017-18 and $2,467,670 in 
fiscal year 2018-19 to the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices due to eliminating the 2018 
legislative election. This estimate assumes initial payment amounts to qualifying candidates will increase by 4% each 
election. Other Special Revenue Funds revenue to the Commission would decrease by $140,350 in fiscal year 2018-
from not collecting qualifying contributions. 
LR0694(03) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1