Sec. 1. 36 MRSA §6219, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 534, Pt. A, §10 and amended by PL 1997, c. 526, §14, is further amended by adding at the end 2 new paragraphs to read:

The Bureau of Revenue Services shall expend up to 1/2% of the annual funds appropriated for the Maine Residents Property Tax Program for statewide promotion of the program.__Promotion of the program must include, but is not limited to, advertisement in newspapers, on television and on radio.

The Bureau of Revenue Services shall on an annual basis compile records of all costs for the promotion of the program and evaluate the effectiveness of the promotion for the increased utilization of the Maine Residents Property Tax Program.

SUMMARY

This bill requires the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Revenue Services to promote the Maine Residents Property Tax Program through advertisement in newspapers, on television and on radio. The bill also authorizes the bureau to expend 1/2% of funds appropriated for the program for the promotion of the program. The bureau shall maintain records to see if the use of the program has increased due to the promotions.