Resolve, Directing the Secretary of State To Request That the United States Secretary of Transportation Place Maine in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0071
Committee: State and Local Government
Sponsors: DILLINGHAM, BRAKEY, CAMPBELL, CRAIG, HANINGTON, ORDWAY, PICKETT, TEPLER, TUELL, HAMPER

Legislative Document
No. 71
H.P. 58
House of Representatives, January 11, 2017
Resolve, Directing the Secretary of State To Request That the 
United States Secretary of Transportation Place Maine in the 
Atlantic Standard Time Zone
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Government suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative DILLINGHAM of Oxford.
Cosponsored by Senator BRAKEY of Androscoggin and
Representatives: CAMPBELL of Orrington, CRAIG of Brewer, HANINGTON of Lincoln, 
ORDWAY of Standish, PICKETT of Dixfield, TEPLER of Topsham, TUELL of East 
Machias, Senator: HAMPER of Oxford.
Preamble. Whereas, pursuant to an order of the United States Secretary of 
Transportation, the State of Maine is in the Eastern Standard Time zone; and 
Whereas, there would be many benefits to the State of Maine if the State were 
placed in the Atlantic Standard Time zone, including more daylight in the afternoon, 
increased economic opportunities and less energy consumption; now, therefore, be it 
Sec. 1.  Secretary of State to request that United States Secretary of 
Transportation place Maine in Atlantic Standard Time zone.  Resolved:  That 
the Secretary of State shall request that the United States Secretary of Transportation 
place the State in the Atlantic Standard Time zone; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Statutory referendum procedure; submission at election; form of 
question; effective date.  Resolved:  That this resolve must be submitted to the legal 
voters of the State at a statewide election held in the month of November following 
passage of this resolve. 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, to vote on the acceptance or rejection of this resolve by 
voting on the following question: 
"Do you favor placing Maine in the Atlantic Standard Time zone?" 
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 a 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 a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of this resolve, the 
Governor shall proclaim the result without delay and this resolve becomes effective 30 
days after the date of the proclamation.  
The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all 
ballots, returns and copies of this resolve necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
referendum. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Secretary of State to request that the United States Secretary 
of Transportation place Maine in the Atlantic Standard Time zone.  This resolve is 
subject to approval by the voters at referendum.