Resolved: Two thirds of each branch of the
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1549
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: FARRIN, PARRY

Legislative Document
No. 1549
S.P. 633
In Senate, April 10, 2025
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine Regarding the Use and Oversight of Transportation-related 
Revenues
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator FARRIN of Somerset.
Cosponsored by Representative PARRY of Arundel and
Representatives: ALBERT of Madawaska, MASON of Lisbon, WHITE of Guilford.
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, §19 is amended to read:
Section 19.  Limitation on expenditure of motor vehicle and, motor vehicle 
fuel and other transportation-related revenues.  All revenues derived from fees, 
excises and license taxes relating to registration, operation and use of vehicles on public 
highways, and to fuels used for propulsion of such vehicles shall be expended solely for 
cost of administration, statutory refunds and adjustments, payment of debts and liabilities 
incurred in construction and reconstruction of highways and bridges, the cost of 
construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair of public highways and bridges under 
the direction and supervision of a state department having jurisdiction over such highways 
and bridges and expense for state enforcement of traffic laws and shall not be diverted for 
any purpose, provided that these limitations shall not apply to revenue from an excise tax 
on motor vehicles imposed in lieu of personal property tax.
Beginning July 1, 2027, at least 60% of the sales and use tax revenue collected from motor 
vehicle dealers and by the state department having jurisdiction over motor vehicles must 
be transferred to the Highway Fund or successor fund and must be expended solely for 
costs to plan, design, engineer, construct, improve, maintain, operate, purchase, manage or 
demolish infrastructure and systems related to all modes of transportation, including public 
highways, bridges, aviation, transit, railroads, ferries, ports and other marine infrastructure, 
trails, pedestrian infrastructure and bicycle facilities, as well as all buildings, utilities and 
other appurtenances related to these modes, and may not be diverted or deallocated for 
other purposes.
Beginning July 1, 2027, the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction 
over transportation matters has jurisdiction over all financial matters related to the Highway 
Fund or successor fund.
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 at least 
60% of the sales and use tax revenue collected from motor vehicle dealers 
and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles must be spent solely for costs of all 
modes of transportation and to provide that the Legislature's transportation 
committee has jurisdiction over all financial matters related to the 
Highway Fund?"
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, beginning 
July 1, 2027, at least 60% of automobile-related sales and use tax revenue must be 
transferred to the Highway Fund and must be expended solely for costs of all modes of 
transportation, including public highways, bridges, aviation, transit, railroads, ferries, ports 
and other marine infrastructure, trails, pedestrian infrastructure and bicycle facilities and 
related appurtenances.  The resolution also provides that, beginning July 1, 2027, the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters has 
jurisdiction over all financial matters related to the Highway Fund.