Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1419
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: STETKIS

Legislative Document 
No. 1419 
H.P. 966 
House of Representatives, May 19, 2015 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Change the Selection Process for the Treasurer of State 
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative STETKIS of Canaan.  (GOVERNOR'S BILL) 
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. V, Pt. Third, §1 is amended to read: 
Section 1.  Election.  The Governor shall nominate and, subject to the same 
confirmation procedure as required by this Constitution for Justices of the Supreme 
Judicial Court, appoint the Treasurer shall be chosen biennially, at the first session of the 
Legislature, by joint ballot of the Senators, and Representatives in convention. 
Constitution, Art. V, Pt. Third, §1-A is amended to read: 
Section 1-A.  Succession to the office of Treasurer.  If a vacancy occurs in the 
office of Treasurer of State, the deputy treasurer of state shall act as the Treasurer of State 
until a Treasurer of State is elected by the Legislature during the current session if in 
session, or at the next regular or special session nominated, confirmed and appointed in 
accordance with Article V, Part Third, Section 1. 
; 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 change the process 
for selection of the Treasurer of State, requiring the Governor to 
nominate and appoint the Treasurer of State, subject to confirmation by 
the Senate, which is the same selection process used for Justices of the 
Supreme Judicial Court?" 
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 change the selection 
process for the Treasurer of State.  Currently, the Treasurer of State is selected by the 
Legislature.  This resolution proposes that the Governor nominate and appoint the 
Treasurer of State, subject to confirmation by the Senate.