An Act To Ensure That Low-income Residents of the State Have Access to Telephone Services
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1746
Committee Amendment CA_A_S390 (Senate)
Amends: 36 MRSA §1752

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " A" to S.P. 645, L.D. 1746, Bill, "An Act To 
Ensure That Low-income Residents of the State Have Access to Telephone Services" 
Amend the bill by inserting after section 6 the following: 
'Sec. 7. 36 MRSA §1752, sub-§14, ~' as repealed and replaced by PL 2015, c. 
494, Pt. A, §44, is amended to read: 
B. "Sale price" does not include: 
(1) Discounts allowed and taken on sales; 
(2) 
Allowances in cash or by credit made upon the return of merchandise 
pursuant to warranty; 
(3) The price of property returned by customers, when the full price is refunded 
either in cash or by credit; 
( 4) The price received for labor or services used in installing or applying or 
repairing the property sold, if separately charged or stated; 
(5) Any amount charged or collected, in lieu of a gratuity or tip, as a specifically 
stated service charge, when that amount is to be disbursed by a hotel, restaurant 
or other eating establishment to its employees as wages; 
( 6) The amount of any tax imposed by the United States on or with respect to 
retail sales, whether imposed upon the retailer or the consumer, except any 
manufacturers', importers', alcohol or tobacco excise tax; 
(7) The cost of transportation from the retailer's place of business or other point 
from which shipment is made directly to the purchaser, provided that those 
charges are separately stated and the transportation occurs by means of common 
carrier, contract carrier or the United States mail; 
(8) Any amount charged or collected by a person engaged in the rental of living 
quarters as a forfeited room deposit or cancellation fee if the prospective 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A "to S.P. 645, L.D. 1746 
occupant of the living quarters cancels the reservation on or before the scheduled 
date of arrival; 
(9) Any amount charged for the disposal of used tires; 
(10) Any amount charged for a paper or plastic single-use carry-out bag; er 
(11) Any charge, deposit, fee or premium imposed by a law of this State.,;__Q! 
(12) Federal universal service support funds that are paid directly to the seller 
pursuant to 47 Code of Federal Regulations. Part 54.' 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 10 and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 10. Commission may adjust fee. Notwithstanding the prohibitions under 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 7104, subsection 3-A and Title 35-A, 
section 7104-B, subsection 2-A on the Public Utilities Commission's adjusting the 
prepaid wireless telecommunications service fee more than once every 24 months, the 
Public Utilities Commission may adjust the prepaid wireless telecommunications service 
fee if needed to conform to this Act.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment amends the sales and use tax laws to specify that federal universal 
service support funds paid directly to the seller are not included in the definition of "sale 
price." It removes language regarding rulemaking by the Public Utilities Commission, 
and it clarifies language regarding adjusting the prepaid wireless telecommunications 
service fee. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUJRED:.. 
(See attached) 
···'.!.'' 
··;·1: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 03/14/18 feac.. 
LD 1746 
LR2616(02) 
An Act To Ensure That Low-income Residents of the State Have Access to Telephone Services 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ~:' ( S · 3 9 0) 
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology 
Net Cost (Savings) 
General Fund 
lvenue 
General Fund 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note · 
FY 2017-18 
FY 2018-19 
$0 
$0 
$0 
$299,880 
($299,880) 
($6,120) 
Projections 
FY 2019-20 
$290,700 
($290,700) 
($15,300) 
Projections 
FY2020-21 
$290,700 
($290,700) 
($15,300) 
This bill would reduce General Fund revenue by an estimated $299, 8 80 and reduce Local Government Fund revenue 
by $6,120 in fiscal year 2018-19. 
Any additional costs to the Public Utilities Commission as a result of clarifications to the rules regarding their 
adjustment of the prepaid wireless telecommunications service fee and specifications that federal universal support 
funds paid directly to sellers are not subject to sales taxes are anticipated to be minor and can be absorbed within 
existing budgeted resources. 
LR2616(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1