An Act To Authorize General Fund Bond Issues To Address Changes in Sea Level, Geospatial Data Acquisition by Communities and the Increase in Ocean Acidity
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1224
Committee: Appropriations and Financial Affairs
Sponsors: DEVIN, VITELLI, BERRY, BLUME, GROHOSKI, HEPLER, STOVER, CARSON

Legislative Document
No. 1224
H.P. 885
House of Representatives, March 14, 2019
An Act To Authorize General Fund Bond Issues To Address 
Changes in Sea Level, Geospatial Data Acquisition by Communities 
and the Increase in Ocean Acidity
Reference to the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative DEVIN of Newcastle.
Cosponsored by Senator VITELLI of Sagadahoc and
Representatives: BERRY of Bowdoinham, BLUME of York, GROHOSKI of Ellsworth, 
HEPLER of Woolwich, McCREIGHT of Harpswell, McDONALD of Stonington, STOVER of 
Boothbay, Senator: CARSON of Cumberland.
Preamble.  Two thirds of both Houses of the Legislature deeming it necessary in 
accordance with the Constitution of Maine, Article IX, Section 14 to authorize the 
issuance of bonds on behalf of the State of Maine to provide funds as described in this 
Act,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
PART A
Sec. A-1.  Authorization of bonds.  The Treasurer of State is authorized, under 
the direction of the Governor, to issue bonds in the name and on behalf of the State in an 
amount not exceeding $5,000,000 for the purposes described in section 5 of this Part.  
The bonds are a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State.  The bonds may not run for 
a period longer than 10 years from the date of the original issue of the bonds.
Sec. A-2.  Records of bonds issued; Treasurer of State. The Treasurer of 
State shall ensure that an account of each bond is kept showing the number of the bond, 
the name of the successful bidder to whom sold, the amount received for the bond, the 
date of sale and the date when payable.
Sec. A-3.  Sale; how negotiated; proceeds appropriated.  The Treasurer of 
State may negotiate the sale of the bonds by direction of the Governor, but no bond may 
be loaned, pledged or hypothecated on behalf of the State.  The proceeds of the sale of the 
bonds, which must be held by the Treasurer of State and paid by the Treasurer of State 
upon warrants drawn by the State Controller, are appropriated solely for the purposes set 
forth in this Part.  Any unencumbered balances remaining at the completion of the project 
in this Part lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of 
general obligation bonds.
Sec. A-4.  Interest and debt retirement.  The Treasurer of State shall pay 
interest due or accruing on any bonds issued under this Part and all sums coming due for 
payment of bonds at maturity.
Sec. A-5.  Disbursement of bond proceeds from General Fund bond issue.  
The proceeds of the sale of the bonds authorized under this Part must be expended as 
designated in the following schedule under the direction and supervision of the agencies 
and entities set forth in this section.
Provides funds to support improvements to sea level prediction models by providing 
more detailed mapping of coastal zones and monitoring sea level changes in order to 
mitigate the impact of and help prepare for rising sea levels.
MARINE RESOURCES, 
DEPARTMENT OF
Total
$5,000,000
Sec. A-6.  Contingent upon ratification of bond issue.  Sections 1 to 5 do not 
become effective unless the people of the State ratify the issuance of the bonds as set 
forth in this Part.
Sec. A-7.  Appropriation balances at year-end.  At the end of each fiscal year, 
all unencumbered appropriation balances representing state money carry forward.  Bond 
proceeds that have not been expended within 10 years after the date of the sale of the 
bonds lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general 
obligation bonds.
Sec. A-8.  Bonds authorized but not issued.  Any bonds authorized but not 
issued within 5 years of ratification of this Part are deauthorized and may not be issued, 
except that the Legislature may, within 2 years after the expiration of that 5-year period, 
extend the period for issuing any remaining unissued bonds for an additional amount of 
time not to exceed 5 years.
Sec. A-9.  Referendum for ratification; submission at election; form of 
question; effective date.  This Part must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at 
a statewide election held in the month of November following passage of this Act.  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 Part by voting on the following question:
"Do you favor a $5,000,000 bond issue to provide funds to support 
improvements to sea level prediction models by providing more detailed 
mapping of coastal zones and monitoring sea level changes in order to 
mitigate the impact of and help prepare for rising sea levels?"
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 Part, the 
Governor shall proclaim the result without delay and this Part 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 Part necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
referendum.
PART B
Sec. B-1.  Authorization of bonds.  The Treasurer of State is authorized, under 
the direction of the Governor, to issue bonds in the name and on behalf of the State in an 
amount not exceeding $6,000,000 for the purposes described in section 6 of this Part.  
The bonds are a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State.  The bonds may not run for 
a period longer than 10 years from the date of the original issue of the bonds.
Sec. B-2.  Records of bonds issued; Treasurer of State. The Treasurer of 
State shall ensure that an account of each bond is kept showing the number of the bond, 
the name of the successful bidder to whom sold, the amount received for the bond, the 
date of sale and the date when payable.
Sec. B-3.  Sale; how negotiated; proceeds appropriated.  The Treasurer of 
State may negotiate the sale of the bonds by direction of the Governor, but no bond may 
be loaned, pledged or hypothecated on behalf of the State.  The proceeds of the sale of the 
bonds, which must be held by the Treasurer of State and paid by the Treasurer of State 
upon warrants drawn by the State Controller, are appropriated solely for the purposes set 
forth in this Part.  Any unencumbered balances remaining at the completion of the project 
in this Part lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of 
general obligation bonds.
Sec. B-4.  Interest and debt retirement.  The Treasurer of State shall pay 
interest due or accruing on any bonds issued under this Part and all sums coming due for 
payment of bonds at maturity.
Sec. B-5.  Use of bonds.  Bond proceeds may be used for geospatial data 
acquisition in support of statewide economic development activities.  Funds will be used 
for acquiring elevation, orthoimagery, parcel mapping and other geospatial data important 
to the State.  The use of bond proceeds is subject to the following conditions and 
requirements.
1.  The Maine Library of Geographic Information Board, established in the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 30-B, shall approve all 
applications for geospatial data acquisition and ensure that all bond funds are matched by 
at least one dollar from other sources for every bond dollar committed to geospatial data 
acquisition.
2.  The Maine Library of Geographic Information Board, established in the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 30-B, shall develop a parcel 
mapping grant program for counties and municipalities to improve the coverage and 
update status and accuracy levels of the Maine Library of Geographic Information parcel 
data.
3.  Bond funds may be used to acquire geographic information systems base map data 
and other multipurpose data not specific to any state agency.
Sec. B-6.  Disbursement of bond proceeds from General Fund bond issue.  
The proceeds of the sale of the bonds authorized under this Part must be expended as 
designated in the following schedule under the direction and supervision of the agencies 
and entities set forth in this section.
With approval of the Maine Library of Geographic Information Board, established in 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 30-B, provides 
ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL 
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
funds to counties and municipalities to invest in geospatial data acquisition projects 
throughout the State in a fashion that supports and enhances economic activity, 
environmental protection and quality of life for the people of the State.
Sec. B-7.  Contingent upon ratification of bond issue.  Sections 1 to 6 do not 
become effective unless the people of the State ratify the issuance of the bonds as set 
forth in this Part.
Sec. B-8.  Appropriation balances at year-end.  At the end of each fiscal year, 
all unencumbered appropriation balances representing state money carry forward.  Bond 
proceeds that have not been expended within 10 years after the date of the sale of the 
bonds lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general 
obligation bonds.
Sec. B-9.  Bonds authorized but not issued.  Any bonds authorized but not 
issued within 5 years of ratification of this Part are deauthorized and may not be issued, 
except that the Legislature may, within 2 years after the expiration of that 5-year period, 
extend the period for issuing any remaining unissued bonds for an additional amount of 
time not to exceed 5 years.
Sec. B-10.  Referendum for ratification; submission at election; form of 
question; effective date.  This Part must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at 
a statewide election held in the month of November following passage of this Act.  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 Part by voting on the following question:
"Do you favor a $6,000,000 bond issue to provide partnership funds and 
matching grants for geospatial data acquisition to communities that are 
creating or improving digital parcel maps to accurately identify existing 
boundaries and land use, identify potential community development 
areas and protect environmental resources?"
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 Part, the 
Governor shall proclaim the result without delay and this Part 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 Part necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
referendum.
Total
$6,000,000
PART C
Sec. C-1.  Authorization of bonds.  The Treasurer of State is authorized, under 
the direction of the Governor, to issue bonds in the name and on behalf of the State in an 
amount not exceeding $3,000,000 for the purposes described in section 5 of this Part.  
The bonds are a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State.  The bonds may not run for 
a period longer than 10 years from the date of the original issue of the bonds.
Sec. C-2.  Records of bonds issued; Treasurer of State. The Treasurer of 
State shall ensure that an account of each bond is kept showing the number of the bond, 
the name of the successful bidder to whom sold, the amount received for the bond, the 
date of sale and the date when payable.
Sec. C-3.  Sale; how negotiated; proceeds appropriated.  The Treasurer of 
State may negotiate the sale of the bonds by direction of the Governor, but no bond may 
be loaned, pledged or hypothecated on behalf of the State.  The proceeds of the sale of the 
bonds, which must be held by the Treasurer of State and paid by the Treasurer of State 
upon warrants drawn by the State Controller, are appropriated solely for the purposes set 
forth in this Part.  Any unencumbered balances remaining at the completion of the project 
in this Part lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of 
general obligation bonds.
Sec. C-4.  Interest and debt retirement.  The Treasurer of State shall pay 
interest due or accruing on any bonds issued under this Part and all sums coming due for 
payment of bonds at maturity.
Sec. C-5.  Disbursement of bond proceeds from General Fund bond issue.  
The proceeds of the sale of the bonds authorized under this Part must be expended as 
designated in the following schedule under the direction and supervision of the agencies 
and entities set forth in this section.
Provides funds to collect data, monitor waterways and perform tests related to the 
known increasing ocean acidity along the Maine coast and its impact on natural 
wildlife and commercially important species in Maine waters, such as lobsters and 
clams.
Sec. C-6.  Contingent upon ratification of bond issue.  Sections 1 to 5 do not 
become effective unless the people of the State ratify the issuance of the bonds as set 
forth in this Part.
Sec. C-7.  Appropriation balances at year-end.  At the end of each fiscal year, 
all unencumbered appropriation balances representing state money carry forward.  Bond 
MARINE RESOURCES, 
DEPARTMENT OF
Total
$3,000,000
proceeds that have not been expended within 10 years after the date of the sale of the 
bonds lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general 
obligation bonds.
Sec. C-8.  Bonds authorized but not issued.  Any bonds authorized but not 
issued within 5 years of ratification of this Part are deauthorized and may not be issued, 
except that the Legislature may, within 2 years after the expiration of that 5-year period, 
extend the period for issuing any remaining unissued bonds for an additional amount of 
time not to exceed 5 years.
Sec. C-9.  Referendum for ratification; submission at election; form of 
question; effective date.  This Part must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at 
a statewide election held in the month of November following passage of this Act.  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 Part by voting on the following question:
"Do you favor a $3,000,000 bond issue to provide funds to collect data, 
monitor waterways and perform tests related to the known increasing 
ocean acidity along the Maine coast and its impact on natural wildlife 
and commercially important species in Maine waters, such as lobsters 
and clams?"
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 Part, the 
Governor shall proclaim the result without delay and this Part 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 Part necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
referendum.
SUMMARY
This bill authorizes the issuance of bonds.
1.  Part A of this bill authorizes the issuance of bonds, in the amount of $5,000,000, 
to be used to support improvements to sea level prediction models by providing more 
detailed mapping of coastal zones and monitoring sea level changes in order to mitigate 
the impact of and help prepare for rising sea levels.
2.  Part B of this bill authorizes the issuance of bonds, in the amount of $6,000,000, 
to be used to provide partnership funds and matching grants for geospatial data 
acquisition to communities that are creating or improving digital parcel maps to 
accurately identify existing boundaries and land use, identify potential community 
development areas and protect environmental resources.
3.  Part C of this bill authorizes the issuance of bonds, in the amount of $3,000,000, 
to be used to collect data, monitor waterways and perform tests related to the known 
increasing ocean acidity along the Maine coast and its impact on natural wildlife and 
commercially important species in Maine waters, such as lobsters and clams.