An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Maine State Housing Authority
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1340
Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: VOLK, FECTEAU, LANGLEY, AUSTIN, BATES, HANDY, LOCKMAN, MASTRACCIO, SYLVESTER, VACHON
Amends: 5 MRSA §1742, 10 MRSA §363, 30-A MRSA §4702, 30-A MRSA §4706, 30-A MRSA §4722, 30-A MRSA §4724, 30-A MRSA §4741, 30-A MRSA §4752, 30-A MRSA §4753, 30-A MRSA §4754, 30-A MRSA §4755, 30-A MRSA §4771, 30-A MRSA §4832, 30-A MRSA §4854, 30-A MRSA §4863, 30-A MRSA §4871, 30-A MRSA §4912, 30-A MRSA §4913, 30-A MRSA §4973, 30-A MRSA §5002, 30-A MRSA §5003, 30-A MRSA §5047

Legislative Document
No. 1340
S.P. 454
In Senate, April 6, 2017
An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Maine State Housing 
Authority
Reference to the Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development 
suggested and ordered printed.
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator VOLK of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative FECTEAU of Biddeford and
Senator: LANGLEY of Hancock, Representatives: AUSTIN of Gray, BATES of Westbrook, 
HANDY of Lewiston, LOCKMAN of Amherst, MASTRACCIO of Sanford, SYLVESTER of 
Portland, VACHON of Scarborough.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §1742, sub-§23, ¶D, as amended by PL 1989, c. 502, Pt. A, 
§16, is further amended to read: 
D.  The department shall work closely with the Maine State Housing Authority to 
develop a procedure by which surplus state-owned land and structures are held in 
trust for the purpose set forth in this section and Title 30-A, chapter 201, subchapters 
III-A and XI subchapter 3-A; 
Sec. 2.  10 MRSA §363, sub-§11, as amended by PL 1999, c. 728, §8, is repealed. 
Sec. 3.  30-A MRSA §4702, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and 
Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is 
further amended to read: 
1.  Area of operation.  "Area of operation" of a municipal housing authority includes 
all of the municipality for which it is created and, except as provided in paragraphs A 
and, B and C-1, the area within 10 miles outside its territorial municipal boundaries.  The 
"area of operation" of the Maine State Housing Authority is the entire State, except as 
provided in paragraph C-1. 
A.  No A municipal housing authority may not operate in any area in which an a 
municipal housing authority already established is operating without the consent by 
resolution of the municipal housing authority already operating in that area. 
B.  The area of operation of the housing authority of a city municipality does not 
include any area which that lies within the territorial municipal boundaries of any 
other city nor does it include any portion of a town municipality for which a 
municipal housing authority has been organized, without the consent by resolution of 
the legislative body of the other city or the selectmen of the town other municipality. 
C.  The Maine State Housing Authority may not operate in any area in which a 
municipal authority already established under this chapter is operating without the 
consent by resolution of that authority. 
(1)  In the case of the Maine State Housing Authority, the requirements of 
coordination and local approval specified in sections 4741, subsection 10 and 
4771 may be complied with by the local municipal legislative body's passage of 
the following resolution: 
"The Maine State Housing Authority is authorized to seek and may contract 
for financial assistance from the Federal Government for the purpose of 
providing housing for low-income persons and families in (Name of 
Municipality)." 
Passage of this resolution is conclusive evidence of compliance with sections 
4741, subsection 10, and 4771.  The local municipal legislative body may repeal 
the resolution, provided that:  
(a)  Any contract for federal assistance entered into between the Maine State 
Housing Authority and any person in or with respect to the municipality in 
question after the original resolution is passed and before it is repealed is not 
affected by the repeal; and 
(b)  The security of the authority's mortgage interest or the obligation or 
repayment of debt to bondholders is not affected by the repeal. 
C-1.  A municipal housing authority has exclusive jurisdiction within the municipal 
boundaries of the municipality for which it was organized to administer regular 
tenant-based housing choice vouchers under Section 8 of the United States Housing 
Act of 1937, Public Law 75-412, 50 Stat. 888, as amended.  This paragraph does not 
limit the authority of the Maine State Housing Authority to administer project-based 
vouchers or to administer specialty vouchers that are associated with services such as 
case management, clinical services, child welfare services or other housing stability 
services. 
D.  The authority shall meet and discuss with the local municipal legislative body 
concerning permissible and preferred developers, housing management entities and 
sites in anticipation of a preliminary designation of a proposed project.  When the 
authority has received a proposed project for consideration, it shall so notify the 
municipality in question.  When the authority has made a preliminary designation of 
a proposed project, it shall so notify the municipality within 30 days.  If the municipal 
legislative body disapproves of the preliminary designation, it shall notify the 
authority of its disapproval within 45 days after the authority's notice of selection.  
The notice of disapproval has the effect of repealing the consent resolution for that 
proposed project. 
Sec. 4.  30-A MRSA §4702, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and 
Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is 
repealed. 
Sec. 5.  30-A MRSA §4702, sub-§10, ¶A, as amended by PL 1991, c. 574, §1, is 
further amended to read: 
A.  An interest-bearing obligation secured by a mortgage constituting a lien on 
single-family or multi-unit residential housing, including any mortgage loan made for 
the purpose of acquiring, developing, constructing or reconstructing single-family or 
multi-unit residential housing or for the purpose of preserving and maintaining the 
affordability of the housing; 
Sec. 6.  30-A MRSA §4702, sub-§10-A is enacted to read: 
10-A.  Municipal housing authority or municipal authority.  "Municipal housing 
authority" or "municipal authority" means any of the public corporations authorized to be 
created by section 4721. 
Sec. 7.  30-A MRSA §4702, sub-§13, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 
and Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is 
repealed. 
Sec. 8.  30-A MRSA §4706, sub-§1, ¶D, as amended by PL 2007, c. 562, §3, is 
further amended to read: 
D.  Any statements of financial condition or information pertaining to financial 
condition submitted to any of the persons or entities set forth in paragraph C in 
connection with an application for services related to weatherization, energy 
conservation, homeless assistance or fuel assistance programs of the Maine State 
Housing Authority; and 
Sec. 9.  30-A MRSA §4706, sub-§1, ¶E, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 562, §4, is 
amended to read: 
E.  The address of a shelter or other living accommodations for victims of domestic 
violence.; and 
Sec. 10.  30-A MRSA §4706, sub-§1, ¶F is enacted to read: 
F.  Personnel files of Maine State Housing Authority employees. 
Sec. 11.  30-A MRSA §4722, sub-§1, ¶F, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, 
§2 and Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, 
is further amended to read: 
F.  Act as the public agency of the State for the purpose of accepting federal funds or 
other assistance, or funds or other assistance from any other source, in relation to 
housing activity in those areas and for those projects authorized under section 4741, 
subsection 2 and other relevant provisions of this chapter; 
Sec. 12.  30-A MRSA §4722, sub-§1, ¶K, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, 
§2 and Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, 
is further amended to read: 
K.  Perform other functions necessary to the powers and duties expressly stated in 
this chapter or useful for carrying out any of its powers, duties or purposes; 
Sec. 13.  30-A MRSA §4722, sub-§1, ¶M, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, 
§2 and Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, 
is repealed. 
Sec. 14.  30-A MRSA §4722, sub-§1, ¶O, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, 
§2 and Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, 
is further amended to read: 
O.  Issue or cause to be issued certificates or other instruments evidencing the 
holder's fractional undivided interest in a pool of mortgage loans.  Whether or not the 
certificates or instruments are of such form or character as to be negotiable 
instruments under Title 11, article 8 8-A, the certificates or instruments are deemed 
negotiable instruments within the meaning of and for all the purposes of Title 11, 
article 8 8-A, subject only to any registration requirements that the Maine State 
Housing Authority may establish; 
Sec. 15.  30-A MRSA §4722, sub-§1, ¶W, as amended by PL 2003, c. 704, §4, is 
further amended to read: 
W.  Pursuant to the purpose of the Act to provide housing assistance to persons of 
low income and in accordance with rules adopted under the Maine Administrative 
Procedure Act, operate programs to provide energy conservation and fuel assistance 
on behalf of persons of low income in connection with single-family or multi-unit 
residential housing and accept, obtain, distribute and administer federal and state 
funds, including block grants, for energy conservation and fuel assistance for the 
purpose of operating those programs.; 
(1)  The Maine State Housing Authority shall report to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and 
financial affairs on June 30, 1992 and annually thereafter on the low-income 
energy assistance program.  The report must include, but is not limited to, 
program revenue and expenditures, number of individuals served and types of 
services provided; 
Sec. 16.  30-A MRSA §4722, sub-§1, ¶Y, as amended by PL 2011, c. 679, §29, 
is repealed. 
Sec. 17.  30-A MRSA §4722, sub-§1, ¶CC, as corrected by RR 2009, c. 2, §85, 
is amended to read: 
CC.  Encourage and provide incentives to individuals and entities that conserve 
energy; support and participate, with resources derived from sources except the 
conservation program fund under Title 35-A, section 10110, subsection 7, in markets 
that reward energy conservation and use the proceeds from this participation to 
support affordable housing programs under its jurisdiction; and create and administer 
programs that encourage individuals and entities to conserve energy; and 
Sec. 18.  30-A MRSA §4722, sub-§1, ¶DD, as amended by PL 2011, c. 453, §2, 
is further amended to read: 
DD.  Certify affordable housing projects for the purpose of the income tax credit 
increase under Title 36, section 5219-BB, subsection 3; administer and enforce the 
affordability requirements set forth in this paragraph; and perform other functions 
described in this paragraph and necessary to the powers and duties described in this 
paragraph. 
(1)  For purposes of this paragraph, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings. 
(a)  "Affordable housing" means a decent, safe and sanitary dwelling, 
apartment or other living accommodation for a household whose income 
does not exceed 60% of the median income for the area as defined by the 
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development under the 
United States Housing Act of 1937, Public Law 412, 50 Stat. 888, Section 8, 
as amended. 
(b)  "Affordable housing project" means a project in which: 
(i)  At least 50% of the aggregate square feet of the completed project is 
housing of which at least 50% of the aggregate square feet of the 
completed housing creates new affordable housing; or  
(ii)  At least 33% of the aggregate square feet of the completed project 
creates new affordable housing. 
(2)  An affordable housing project for which the owner of the property received 
the income tax credit increase under Title 36, section 5219-BB, subsection 3 must 
remain an affordable housing project for 30 years from the date the affordable 
housing project is placed in service.  If the property does not remain an 
affordable housing project for 30 years from the date the affordable housing 
project is placed in service, the owner of the property shall pay to the Maine State 
Housing Authority for application to the Housing Opportunities for Maine Fund 
established under section 4853 an amount equal to the income tax credit increase 
allowed under Title 36, section 5219-BB, subsection 3, plus interest on that 
amount at the rate of 7% per annum from the date the property is placed in 
service until the date of payment of all amounts due.  The affordability 
requirements and the repayment obligation in this subparagraph must be set forth 
in a restrictive covenant executed by the owner of the property and the affordable 
housing project for the benefit of and enforceable by the Maine State Housing 
Authority and recorded in the appropriate registry of deeds before the owner of 
the property claims the income tax credit increase under Title 36, section 
5219-BB, subsection 3. 
(3)  If the repayment obligation in subparagraph (2) is not fully satisfied after 
written notice is sent by certified mail or registered mail to the owner of the 
property at the owner's last known address, the Maine State Housing Authority 
may file a notice of lien in the registry of deeds of the county in which the real 
property subject to the lien is located.  The notice of lien must specify the amount 
and interest due, the name and last known address of the owner, a description of 
the property subject to the lien and the Maine State Housing Authority's address 
and the name and address of its attorney, if any.  The Maine State Housing 
Authority shall send a copy of the notice of lien filed in the registry by certified 
mail or registered mail to the owner of the property at the owner's last known 
address and to any person who has a security interest, mortgage, lien, 
encumbrance or other interest in the property that is properly recorded in the 
registry of deeds in which the property is located.  The lien arises and becomes 
perfected at the time the notice is filed in the appropriate registry of deeds in 
accordance with this subparagraph.  The lien constitutes a lien on all property 
with respect to which the owner receives the income tax credit increase under 
Title 36, section 5219-BB, subsection 3 and the proceeds of any disposition of 
the property that occurs after notice to the owner of the repayment obligation.  
The lien is prior to any mortgage and security interest, lien, restrictive covenant 
or other encumbrance recorded, filed or otherwise perfected after the notice of 
lien is filed in the appropriate registry of deeds.  The lien may be enforced by a 
turnover or sale order in accordance with Title 14, section 3131 or any other 
manner in which a judgment lien may be enforced under the law.  The lien must 
be in the amount of the income tax credit increase allowed under Title 36, section 
5219-BB, subsection 3, plus interest on that amount at the rate of 7% per annum 
from the date the property is placed in service until the date of payment of all 
amounts due.  Upon receipt of payment of all amounts due under the lien, the 
Maine State Housing Authority shall execute a discharge lien for filing in the 
registry or offices in which the notice of lien was filed. 
(4)  Annually by every August 1st until and including August 1, 2023, the Maine 
State Housing Authority shall review the report issued pursuant to Title 27, 
section 511, subsection 5, paragraph A to determine the percentage of the total 
aggregate square feet of completed projects that constitutes new affordable 
housing, rehabilitated and developed using: 
(a)  Either of the income tax credits under Title 36, section 5219-BB, 
subsection 2; and  
(b)  The income tax credit increase under Title 36, section 5219-BB, 
subsection 3. 
If the total aggregate square feet of new affordable housing does not equal or 
exceed 30% of the total aggregate square feet of rehabilitated and developed 
completed projects eligible for a credit under Title 36, section 5219-BB, the 
Maine State Housing Authority and Maine Historic Preservation Commission 
shall notify the State Tax Assessor of this fact.; and 
Sec. 19.  30-A MRSA §4722, sub-§1, ¶EE is enacted to read: 
EE.  Refinance a single-family mortgage loan held by the Maine State Housing 
Authority for a homeowner whose income at the time of refinancing is no greater 
than the income limits for qualified first-time homebuyers established under 26 
United States Code, Section 143, or an existing loan on any owner-occupied single-
family residence for purposes of lowering mortgage payments or making home 
improvements for persons of low income. 
Sec. 20.  30-A MRSA §4724, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1991, c. 476, is further 
amended to read: 
2.  Acquisition of interest in project; accepting employment.  No During tenure 
and within one year of service, no employee or commissioner of any authority may, 
within 2 years of that service, or in the case of employees of the authority, during tenure 
or within 2 years of that service, voluntarily acquire any interest, direct or indirect, in any 
contract, project or property included or planned to be included in any project of that 
housing authority over which the employee or commissioner has exercised responsibility, 
control or decisions during tenure with the authority; nor may any, and no employee or 
commissioner of any authority, if employment is accepted with any person who has an 
interest in any contract, property or project included or planned to be included in any 
project of that authority, may work directly on that contract, project or property for that 
person if the employee or commissioner has exercised responsibility, control or decisions 
over that contract, project or property. 
A.  This subsection does not prohibit a manufactured housing inspector employed by 
the Maine State Housing Authority from accepting employment by a person to work 
on manufactured housing which that is manufactured after the date employment with 
the Maine State Housing Authority has terminated. 
Sec. 21.  30-A MRSA §4741, sub-§§10 and 11, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, 
Pt. A, §2 and Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 
and 10, are further amended to read: 
10.  Coordination with municipal officers.  The commissioners of a municipal 
authority or the director of the Maine State Housing Authority shall establish procedures 
by which the legislative body of a municipality may provide the municipal officers an 
opportunity to review and discuss proposed development projects and prior to submitting 
the plans for financing proposed projects to the appropriate municipal officer or agency; 
11.  Mortgage credits.  The Maine State Housing Authority may acquire from banks, 
life insurance companies, savings and loan associations, pension or retirement funds, any 
fiduciaries, the Federal Government and other financial institutions, persons or 
governmental or business entities mortgage loans and notes anywhere in the State, the 
restriction as to the area of operation in section 4702 notwithstanding, and may sell 
mortgages and notes to insurance companies, other financial institutions, persons or 
governmental or business entities and the Federal Government or any fiduciaries or 
pension or retirement funds; 
Sec. 22.  30-A MRSA §4741, sub-§17, as amended by PL 2015, c. 494, Pt. B, §2, 
is further amended to read: 
17.  Comprehensive housing affordability strategy coordinator.  The Maine State 
Housing Authority is designated the comprehensive housing affordability strategy 
coordinator for the State and has the power to prepare and submit on behalf of the State 
the annual comprehensive housing affordability strategy called for in the Cranston-
Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, Public Law 101-625 (1990), as amended, 
and to undertake all monitoring and certification procedures required under that law.  The 
Maine State Housing Authority shall represent the State in carrying out the HOME 
Investment Partnerships Program created by the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable 
Housing Act, as amended; 
Sec. 23.  30-A MRSA §4752, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. B, §27, 
is repealed. 
Sec. 24.  30-A MRSA §4753, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 914, §4, is 
repealed. 
Sec. 25.  30-A MRSA §4754, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 48, §§3 and 31, 
is amended to read: 
3.  State-owned property.  The Maine State Housing Authority may use surplus 
state-owned property pursuant to this subchapter and subchapter XI and Title 5, section 
1742, subsection 23, to achieve the purpose of this article. 
Sec. 26.  30-A MRSA §4755, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 48, §§3 and 31, is 
amended to read: 
§4755.  Provide property 
The Maine State Housing Authority may provide surplus state property below market 
value pursuant to this subchapter and subchapter XI and Title 5, section 1742, subsection 
23, to any person, firm or organization that agrees to construct, reconstruct or rehabilitate 
affordable housing for low-income and moderate-income households and maintain this 
property for this purpose in a written contract with the Maine State Housing Authority. 
Sec. 27.  30-A MRSA §4771, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 
and Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is 
repealed. 
Sec. 28.  30-A MRSA §4832, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; c. 
48, §§4 and 31; c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10; and c. 581, §10, is further amended to read: 
1.  Participation requirements.  Except as provided in paragraph paragraphs A and 
B, the Maine State Housing Authority may not participate in the making of construction 
loans unless a financial institution in the State agrees to participate in the loan at least to 
the extent of acting as escrow agent.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, 
financial institutions in the State may act as required by this subchapter. 
A.  The Maine State Housing Authority may make construction loans to state public 
bodies or other public instrumentalities and private nonprofit corporations without the 
participation of a financial institution. 
B.  If a project's financing requires that the Maine State Housing Authority participate 
in the construction loan at a level greater than 60%, the Maine State Housing 
Authority may make the whole construction loan without using an escrow agent. 
Sec. 29.  30-A MRSA §4854, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 
and Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is 
further amended to read: 
3.  Gains from investments.  Subject to any pledge, contract or other obligation 
under this section, all interest, dividends and pecuniary gains from the investment of 
money of the fund; and 
Sec. 30.  30-A MRSA §4854, sub-§3-A is enacted to read: 
3-A.  Nonlapsing revolving loan funds.  Any funds remaining in a revolving loan 
fund administered by the Maine State Housing Authority for a period longer than 10 
years and directed by the Maine State Housing Authority to be paid into the fund; and 
Sec. 31.  30-A MRSA §4863, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 372, Pt. E, §1, is 
amended to read: 
5.  Reporting.  Not later than March 1, 2011 and March 1st of each year thereafter, 
the director of the authority shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over affordable housing matters on the status of the fund as long as 
there has been new activity since the previous report.  The report must include, but is not 
limited to, the amount of revenue bonds issued under this subchapter, the type, location 
and cost of projects receiving bond proceeds, the number of housing units created by each 
project, the number of direct construction jobs created or maintained by each project, the 
amount of direct construction wages paid in creating or maintaining those jobs and the 
total amount of building materials purchased in the development of each project. 
Sec. 32.  30-A MRSA §4871, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 
and Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is 
further amended to read: 
2.  Negotiable instruments.  Whether or not the bonds are of such form and 
character as to be negotiable instruments under the Uniform Commercial Code, Title 11, 
article 8 8-A, the bonds are hereby made negotiable instruments within the meaning of 
and for all the purposes of the Uniform Commercial Code, Title 11, article 8 8-A, subject 
only to the provisions of the bonds for registration. 
The bonds may be sold at public or private sale.  Any provision of any law to the contrary 
notwithstanding, any bonds issued under this chapter shall be are fully negotiable. 
Sec. 33.  30-A MRSA §4912, as amended by PL 1989, c. 501, Pt. DD, §36, is 
repealed. 
Sec. 34.  30-A MRSA §4913, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and Pt. C, 
§106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is repealed. 
Sec. 35.  30-A MRSA c. 201, sub-cc. 9-A and 9-B, as amended, are repealed. 
Sec. 36.  30-A MRSA c. 201, sub-c. 11, as amended, is repealed. 
Sec. 37.  30-A MRSA §4973, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1993, c. 175, §11, is 
further amended to read: 
2.  Right of first refusal.  The Maine State Housing Authority has the right of first 
refusal to purchase the property at its current appraised value, as determined by appraisers 
for the owner and the authority.  The authority holds the right of first refusal throughout 
the 90-day period.  Failure to respond to the notice of first refusal within 90 days 
constitutes a waiver of that right of first refusal by the authority.  By stating in writing its 
intention to pursue its right of first refusal during the 90-day period, the authority has an 
additional 90 days, beginning on the date of the termination of the first refusal period the 
appraised value is determined by the appraisers for the owner and the authority, to buy or 
to produce a buyer for the property.  This additional 90-day period may be extended by 
mutual agreement between the authority and the owner of the property. 
A.  Nothing in this section prevents an owner of the property from deciding not to 
sell, transfer or take other action that would result in termination of the financial 
assistance and revoking the notice required by subsection 1 at any time before its 
expiration. The withdrawal or revocation extinguishes any right of first refusal held 
by the Maine State Housing Authority. 
Sec. 38.  30-A MRSA §5002, sub-§§7, 10 and 13, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 
601, Pt. B, §4, are repealed. 
Sec. 39.  30-A MRSA §5003, as amended by PL 1991, c. 610, §7, is repealed. 
Sec. 40.  30-A MRSA c. 202, sub-cc. 2, 3 and 4, as amended, are repealed. 
Sec. 41.  30-A MRSA §5047, sub-§1, ¶¶A and B, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 
380, Pt. A, §2, are amended to read: 
A.  Six members appointed by the Governor, 2 from each of 3 regional homeless 
councils, based on giving due consideration to nominations provided by the 3 
regional homeless councils; 
B.  The Director of the Maine State Housing Authority or the director's designee; 
Sec. 42.  30-A MRSA §5047, sub-§1, ¶C, as amended by PL 2007, c. 600, §2, is 
further amended to read: 
C.  Three members appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker 
of the House, one from each of 3 regional homeless councils, based on giving due 
consideration to nominations provided by the 3 regional homeless councils;  
Sec. 43.  30-A MRSA c. 202, sub-c. 6, as amended, is repealed. 
Sec. 44.  Effective date.  That section of this Act that amends the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 30-A, section 4702, subsection 1 takes effect January 1, 2018. 
SUMMARY 
This purpose of this bill is to update certain laws governing the Maine State Housing 
Authority.  This bill: 
1.  Eliminates the requirement that certain bond issuers report annually regarding the 
bonds that have been issued; 
2.  Repeals the laws concerning the Office of Nonprofit Housing, the Maine 
Affordable Housing Land Trust Fund and the Municipal Land Acquisition Revolving 
Fund and other associated provisions of law; 
3.  Clarifies that, in appointing members to the Statewide Homeless Council, the 
Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
are directed to give due consideration to nominations provided by the regional homeless 
councils; 
4.  Repeals the laws governing a demonstration program on urban housing 
revitalization and the designation of urban housing zones; 
5.  Clarifies the jurisdiction of the authority and municipal housing authorities with 
respect to the administration of federal housing choice voucher programs; 
6.  Specifies that the personnel files of authority employees are confidential; 
7.  Eliminates the authority's authority to formulate affirmative housing action plans 
for submission to regional and local planning boards and commissions; 
8.  Eliminates the requirement that the authority annually report to the Legislature on 
the low-income energy assistance program; 
9.  Eliminates the requirement that the authority expand access to housing for young 
professionals, young families and first-time home buyers; 
10.  Authorizes the authority to refinance single-family mortgage loans in order to 
lower mortgage payments or make home improvements for persons with low income; 
11.  Decreases from 2 years to one year the period during which an employee or 
commissioner of the authority may not accept employment with or acquire interest in a 
project over which that person has exercised control, and, with respect to a commissioner, 
it extends the prohibition to the period of the commissioner's tenure; 
12.  Eliminates the requirement that each municipality report to the Department of 
Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services on any municipally 
owned land or buildings that may be suitable for affordable housing; 
13.  Eliminates the requirement that the authority conduct a comprehensive 
assessment of information on the State's housing and biennially submit a report on its  
findings; 
14.  Eliminates the prohibition against the authority's entering into contracts with the 
Federal Government until the municipality in which the project is to be located adopts a 
resolution approving the contract; 
15.  In certain instances, authorizes the authority without using an escrow agent to 
make construction loans for the construction of housing units for persons with low 
income; 
16.  Eliminates the requirement that the authority develop guidelines defining energy 
improvements that may be made with proceeds of home improvement notes; 
17.  Eliminates the Maine Natural Disaster Home Assistance Program; 
18.  Eliminates the Maine Overboard Discharge Assistance Program; and 
19.  Repeals the provisions of law governing state-owned land for construction of 
housing and surplus land held in trust.