Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0252
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Sponsors: TIMBERLAKE, DILLINGHAM, DOW, BICKFORD, STEWART

Legislative Document
No. 252
S.P. 64
In Senate, January 22, 2019
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Prohibit New or Increased Fees or Taxes by Means of 
Direct Initiatives of Legislation
Reference to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator TIMBERLAKE of Androscoggin.
Cosponsored by Representative DILLINGHAM of Oxford and
Senator: DOW of Lincoln, Representatives: BICKFORD of Auburn, STEWART of Presque 
Isle.
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. IV, Pt. Third, §18, sub-§1 is amended to read:
Section 1.  Petition procedure.  The electors may propose to the Legislature for 
its consideration any bill, resolve or resolution, including bills to amend or repeal 
emergency legislation but not an amendment of the State Constitution or a direct 
initiative that contains a new or increased tax or fee, by written petition addressed to the 
Legislature or to either branch thereof and filed in the office of the Secretary of State by 
the hour of 5:00 p.m., on or before the 50th day after the date of convening of the 
Legislature in first regular session or on or before the 25th day after the date of convening 
of the Legislature in second regular session, except that the written petition may not be 
filed in the office of the Secretary of State later than 18 months after the date the petition 
form was furnished or approved by the Secretary of State.  If the applicable deadline falls 
on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the period runs until the hour of 5:00 p.m., of the 
next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
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 prohibit the 
imposition of any new or increased taxes or fees through the citizen 
initiative process?"
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.
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 prohibit the 
imposition of any new or increased taxes or fees through the direct initiative process.