HP0576
LD 840
First Regular Session - 124th Maine Legislature
 
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LR 155
Item 1
Bill Tracking Chamber Status

RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Control Property Tax Increases

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, §8, sub-§6 is enacted to read:

. 6. Limit on valuation increases. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, the valuation of property subject to taxation may not be increased by more than the change since the last valuation in a standard measure of consumer price inflation to be determined by the Legislature. Taxes on new property, improvements to property and property that changes ownership must be based on just value in the first year of assessment.

; and be it further
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 limit increases in the valuation of property to the amount of inflation except that new property, improvements to property and property that changes ownership must be valued at just value in the first year of assessment?"

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; and be it further

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 limit increases in the valuation of property to the amount of inflation except that new property, improvements to property and property that changes ownership must be valued at just value in the first year of assessment.


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