Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0965
Committee: Taxation
Sponsors: PARRY, COLLINS, BRYANT, GOLDEN, HOBART, HOGAN, DIAMOND, GERZOFSKY, MASON

Legislative Document 
No. 965 
H.P. 664 
House of Representatives, March 17, 2015 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Permit the Freezing of Property Taxes on the Homes of 
Maine Residents Who Are 65 Years of Age or Older 
Reference to the Committee on Taxation suggested and ordered printed. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative PARRY of Arundel. 
Cosponsored by Senator COLLINS of York and 
Representatives: BRYANT of Windham, GOLDEN of Lewiston, HOBART of Bowdoinham, 
HOGAN of Old Orchard Beach, McLEAN of Gorham, Senators: DIAMOND of Cumberland, 
GERZOFSKY of Cumberland, MASON of Androscoggin. 
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.  Primary residence of individuals 65 years of age or older.  The 
Legislature has the power to provide that the taxes may not be increased on the primary 
residence of a person who is 65 years of age or older and who owns the residence if the 
residence is a single-family residence, no member of the household is less than 55 years 
of age and the residence is the only property owned by any household member.  If the 
property ceases to be the primary residence of a person who is 65 years of age or older, 
the property must be taxed in the same manner as other property. 
; 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 allow for freezing 
property taxes on primary residences of persons who are 65 years of age 
or older?" 
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 
of this resolution necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum. 
SUMMARY 
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to allow the Legislature 
to enact a law freezing property taxes on a primary residence of a person who is 65 years 
of age or older and who owns the residence if the residence is a single-family residence, 
no member of the household is less than 55 years of age and the residence is the only 
property owned by any household member.  If the property ceases to be the primary 
residence of a person who is 65 years of age or older, the property must be taxed in the 
same manner as other property.