Sec. 1. 36 MRSA §2903-B, amended by PL 1995, c. 502, Pt. E, §30, is further amended to read:

§2903-B. Finding of fact

The Legislature hereby makes a finding of fact that the percentage relationship of "gasoline tax" paid by that segment of the nonhighway gasoline user, the snowmobile user, is not less than .5% 1.0% of the total "gasoline tax" revenue, but certainly is more than the .5% 1.0% referred to. Based on this legislative "finding of fact" there is set aside .5% 1.0% of the total excise tax on internal combustion engine fuel sold or used within the State, but not including internal combustion fuel sold for use in the propulsion of aircraft. From this .5% 1.0% allocation, 10% shall must be paid to the Treasurer of State to be made available to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; this money to be expended for the purpose set forth in Title 12, section 7824. The remaining 90% of the .5% 1.0% shall must be credited to the Snowmobile Trail Fund of the Bureau of Parks and Lands, established under Title 12, section 7824. The State Tax Assessor shall certify to the State Controller by the 15th day of each month the amounts to be credited under this section as of the close of the State Controller's records for the previous month.

In addition to the set aside of .5% 1.0% of the total excise tax on internal combustion fuel sold or used within this State, the Legislature finds that an additional percentage of .17% must be paid to the Treasurer of State to be made available to the Snowmobile Trail Fund of the Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands, established under Title 12, section 7824.

SUMMARY

This bill increases from .5% to 1.0% the current amount set aside from the excise tax on internal combustion fuel for the Snowmobile Trail Fund and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.