Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1579
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
Sponsors: MORRIS, MILLETT, BENNETT

Legislative Document
No. 1579
H.P. 1024
House of Representatives, April 11, 2023
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine to Eliminate the Diversion of Revenue from Professional and 
Occupational Licensing Fees
Reference to the Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and 
Business suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative MORRIS of Turner.
Cosponsored by Representative: MILLETT of Waterford, Senator: BENNETT of Oxford.
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. IX, §26 is enacted to read:
Section 26. Limitation on expenditure of professional and occupational 
licensing fees.  Revenue, proceeds and income derived from professional and 
occupational licensing fees must be expended solely for the cost of administering and 
enforcing the laws governing professional and occupational licensing and may not be 
diverted for any other purpose.
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 provide that revenue 
derived from professional and occupational licensing fees must be 
expended solely for the cost of administering and enforcing the laws 
governing professional and occupational licensing and may not be diverted 
for any other purpose?"
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 provide that revenue 
derived from professional and occupational licensing fees must be expended solely for the 
cost of administering and enforcing the laws governing professional and occupational 
licensing and may not be diverted for any other purpose.