An Act To Fully Restore Revenue Sharing
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0444
Committee: Taxation
Sponsors: BELLOWS, MIRAMANT, MOORE, BEEBE-CENTER, MADIGAN, WARREN, CARSON, JACKSON, ACKLEY, DOORE, FECTEAU, MAXMIN
Amends: 30-A MRSA §5681

Legislative Document
No. 444
S.P. 122
In Senate, January 29, 2019
An Act To Fully Restore Revenue Sharing
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Taxation suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator BELLOWS of Kennebec.
Cosponsored by Senators: MIRAMANT of Knox, MOORE of Washington, Representatives: 
BEEBE-CENTER of Rockland, MADIGAN of Waterville, Representative WARREN of 
Hallowell and
Senators: CARSON of Cumberland, President JACKSON of Aroostook, SANBORN, H. of 
Cumberland, Representatives: ACKLEY of Monmouth, DOORE of Augusta, FECTEAU of 
Biddeford, MAXMIN of Nobleboro.
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, state-municipal revenue sharing was decreased for fiscal years 2015-16, 
2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 from 5% to 2%; and
Whereas, the decrease in funds shared with municipalities has had a drastic effect 
on municipalities and their ability to provide services to their residents; and
Whereas, although the percentage of revenue sharing is scheduled to return to 5% 
beginning July 1, 2019, it is necessary that these funds be restored as soon as possible to 
avoid further damage to municipalities; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  30-A MRSA §5681, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. K, §1, is 
further amended to read:
5.  Transfers to funds.  No later than the 10th day of each month, the State 
Controller shall transfer to the Local Government Fund 5% of the receipts during the 
previous month from the taxes imposed under Title 36, Parts 3 and 8, and Title 36, 
section 2552, subsection 1, paragraphs A to F and L, and credited to the General Fund 
without any reduction, except that for fiscal years 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18 and the 
first 9 months of fiscal year 2018-19 the amount transferred is 2% of the receipts during 
the previous month from the taxes imposed under Title 36, Parts 3 and 8, and Title 36, 
section 2552, subsection 1, paragraphs A to F and L, and credited to the General Fund 
without any reduction, and except that the postage, state cost allocation program and 
programming costs of administering state-municipal revenue sharing may be paid by the 
Local Government Fund.  A percentage share of the amounts transferred to the Local 
Government Fund each month must be transferred to the Disproportionate Tax Burden 
Fund and distributed pursuant to subsection 4-B as follows:
C.  For months beginning on or after July 1, 2009 but before July 1, 2010, 15%;
D.  For months beginning on or after July 1, 2010 but before July 1, 2011, 16%;
E.  For months beginning on or after July 1, 2011 but before July 1, 2012, 17%;
F.  For months beginning on or after July 1, 2012 but before July 1, 2013, 18%;
G.  For months beginning on or after July 1, 2013 but before July 1, 2014, 19%; and
H.  For months beginning on or after July 1, 2014, 20%.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill restores state-municipal revenue sharing to 5% from 2% 3 months earlier 
than currently provided in law.