An Act To Establish a Blue Ribbon Commission To Study and Recommend Funding Solutions for the State's Transportation Systems
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0945
Committee Amendment CA_A_H557 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " to H.P. 700, L.D. 945, Bill, "An Act To 
Establish a Blue Ribbon Commission To Study and Recommend Funding Solutions for 
the State's Transportation Systems" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, To Establish the Blue Ribbon Commission To Study and Recommend 
Funding Solutions for the State's Transportation Systems' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and inserting the following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, this legislation establishes the Blue Ribbon Commission To Study and 
Recommend Funding Solutions for the State's Transportation Systems; and 
Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that 
the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next 
legislative session; and 
Whereas, adequate, sustainable and predictable transportation funding is critical to 
the safety and economic well-being of all the State's citizens; and 
Whereas, funding for transportation infrastructure in the State and the nation is 
seriously lacking; and 
Whereas, the shortfall in funding related to the State's state highway and bridge 
system is at least $160 million per year, without consideration of general obligation 
bonding; and 
Whereas, general obligation bonding levels are unpredictable due to the current 
short-term focus of the process that determines bonding levels and priorities, a process 
that usually takes place late in a legislative session after finalization of the biennial 
budget, if at all; and 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A "to H.P. 700, L.D. 945 
Whereas, higher fuel efficiency vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles continue to 
erode the funding provided by per gallon fuel taxes and increases the inequity between 
drivers in terms of the fee paid per mile for use of the state highway and bridge system; 
and 
Whereas, fuel prices are relatively low but will likely rise in the years ahead; and 
Whereas, about 37 million people visit the State each year, which has a year-round 
population of about 1.3 million people, and the capacity and a significant portion of the 
cost of the State's transportation systems are driven by seasonal traffic volumes that swell 
due to our valued visitors from away; and 
Whereas, through years of capital planning, prioritization and efficiency initiatives, 
the Department of Transportation has proven that it uses funding efficiently and 
effectively and can be trusted to do so with additional funding; and 
Whereas, federal transportation funding is unpredictable, the federal Fixing 
America's Surface Transportation Act will expire in 2020 and there is no guarantee, in 
this federal environment, of a stable funding solution in the future; and 
Whereas, other states are finding transportation funding solutions, the State has an 
obligation to all the State's citizens to seek funding solutions now; and 
Whereas, a bipartisan blue ribbon commission charged with analyzing options and 
recommending legislation is the best way to reform and supplement transportation 
funding in Maine; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. 
Commission 
established. 
Resolved: 
That the Blue Ribbon 
Commission To Study and Recommend Funding Solutions for the State's Transportation 
Systems, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established. 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint 
Rule 353, the commission consists of 15 members as follows: 
1. Three members appointed by the President of the Senate, at least one of whom is 
from the minority party in the Senate, including at least one member of the Joint Standing 
Committee on Transportation, and at least one member of either the Joint Standing 
Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs or the Joint Standing Committee on 
Taxation; 
2. 
One member appointed by the President of the Senate representing an 
organization of municipal or public works officials; 
3. Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, at least 
one of whom is from the minority party in the House, including at least one member of 
the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation, and at least one member of either the 
Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs or the Joint Standing 
Committee on Taxation; 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
\,\ 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ·A "to H.P. 700, L.D. 945 
4. 
One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
representing freight or passenger rail interests; 
5. One member appointed by the Governor representing an organization advocating 
for proper maintenance and funding of the State's transportation networks, including 
construction companies that build and maintain or engineer and design the State's 
transportation infrastructure; 
6. One member appointed by the Governor representing an organization advocating 
for the interests of commercial companies moving bulk goods on the State's road 
networks; 
7. One member appointed by the Governor representing an organization advocating 
for public transportation services; 
8. 
One member appointed by the Governor representing bicyclist or pedestrian 
needs; 
9. The Commissioner of Transportation, or the commissioner's designee; and 
10. 
The Executive Director of the Maine Turnpike Authority, or the director's 
designee. 
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the first-named 
Senate member of the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation and the first-named 
House member of the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation shall serve as cochairs 
of the commission. 
Sec. 4. 
Appointments; convening of commission. 
Resolved: 
That, 
notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, all appointments must be made no later than 30 days 
following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the 
Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been 
completed. After appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first 
meeting of the commission. If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a 
majority of but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority 
and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the commission to meet and conduct 
its business. 
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall study how to reform and 
adequately supplement funding for the State's transportation infrastructure to promote 
equity, sustainability and predictability so that the State can responsibly provide safe and 
reliable state transportation systems. The commission shall focus on funding the state 
highway and bridge system and shall also develop findings or recommendations on the 
need and potential funding solutions for multimodal transportation infrastructure. 
Specific study topics may include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. 
A review related to the funding levels necessary to achieve the capital 
improvement plan goals set forth in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 23, section 73, 
subsection 7, including anticipated shortfalls for the next 10 years, and a review of 
whether the capital improvement plan goals set forth in Title 23, section 73, subsection 7 
are still appropriate and valid; 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ·A "to H.P. 700, L.D. 945 
2. Mechanisms to increase the predictability of general obligation bonding levels for 
capital planning at the Department of Transportation for the state highway and bridge 
system and multimodal infrastructure for the next 10 years; 
3. Mechanisms to address the erosion of Highway Fund receipts and the rising 
inequity between drivers caused by higher automobile fuel efficiency and alternative fuel 
vehicles such as adding a registration fee surcharge on hybrid, electric or other alternative 
fuel passenger automobiles; 
4. A voluntary vehicle miles traveled pilot program for passenger automobiles; 
5. 
Methods to more equitably share the costs of the highway system between 
residents and nonresidents; 
6. Consideration of new highway tolling opportunities; 
7. Consideration of dedicating a portion of sales tax receipts from transportation-
related sales to fund transportation needs; and 
8. An increase of state funding for multimodal transportation, including increasing or 
augmenting the existing funding from the automobile rental sales tax. 
The commission shall meet up to 6 times over the course of 2019 and shall hold 
public hearings and review recommendations from the people of the State and qualified 
experts when appropriate at no fewer than 3 locations throughout the State. The chairs 
shall also provide the opportunity for knowledgeable stakeholders to submit written 
comments throughout the study process and to provide oral testimony on the 
commission's draft recommendations. 
Knowledgeable stakeholders must include 
representatives from organizations representing economic development, transportation 
engineering and construction firms, highway users, the Maine State Chamber of 
Commerce, municipal and public works organizations, trucking and shipping fmns, 
bicyclists and pedestrians, conservation and environmental professionals and the tourism 
industry. 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 
Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission, except 
that Legislative Council staff support is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular 
or special session. 
Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, no later than 
January 3, 2020, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and 
recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Transportation. The Joint Standing Committee on Transportation may 
submit legislation for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 129th 
Legislature. 
Sec. 8. 
Appropriations and allocations. 
Resolved: 
That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made. 
LEGISLATURE 
Study Commissions - Funding 0444 
Page, 4 -129LR1973(02)-1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ·JI "to H.P. 700, L.D. 945 
Initiative: Allocates funds on a one-time basis for the costs to the Legislature of 
Legislators participating in the work of the Blue Ribbon Commission To Study and 
Recommend Funding Solutions for the State's Transportation Systems. 
HIGHWAY FUND 
Personal Services 
All Other 
HIGHWAY FUND TOTAL 
2019-20 
$1,540 
$2,210 
$3,750 
2020-21 
$0 
$0 
$0 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill with a resolve that establishes the Blue Ribbon 
Commission To Study and Recommend Funding Solutions for the State's Transportation 
Systems. The commission has 15 members. It is required to report on its findings to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Transportation by January 3, 2020. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 06/05/19 ~ae'!. 
LD945 
LR 1973(02) 
An Act To Establish a Blue Ribbon Commission To Study and Recommend Funding Solutions for the 
State's Transportation Systems 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,ft,( j/,-55 7) 
Committee: Transportation 
Net Cost (Savings) 
Highway Fund 
Appropriations/Allocations 
Highway Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Legislative Cost/Study 
FY 2019-20 
FY 2020-21 
$3,750 
$0 
$3,750 
$0 
Projections 
FY 2021-22 
$0 
$0 
Projections 
FY 2022-23 
$0 
$0 
Provides a one-time Highway Fund allocation of $3,750 in fiscal year 2019-20 for the costs to the Legislature of 
legislators participating in the work of the Blue-Ribbon Commission to Study and Recommend Funding Solutions for 
the State's Transportation Systems. Additional costs to the Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike 
Authority associated with serving on the commission can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR1973(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1