An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Location of Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Collection for Motor Vehicles Owned by Public Utilities
Sec. 1. 36 MRSA §1484, sub-§3, ¶C, as amended by PL 2007, c. 627, §33, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
Within 3 years from the date of an excise tax levy under the authority of this paragraph, a municipality, county or motor vehicle owner that feels the excise tax has been improperly levied may request a determination of this question by the State Tax Assessor. The State Tax Assessor's determination is limited to the same 3-year period and is binding on all of the parties. Any of the parties may seek review of the determination in accordance with the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 80-C. Within 30 days after receipt of notice of a determination made by the State Tax Assessor under this paragraph, a municipality or county that has incorrectly accepted excise tax money must pay the money, together with interest at the maximum rate established by the Treasurer of State pursuant to section 505, to the municipality or county identified in the determination as the proper place of payment.
summary
Current law allows an owner of a public utility to pay excise tax for its motor vehicles to the place where its registered or main office is located. This bill treats public utilities like other corporations and partnerships by requiring the payment of excise tax to the place where the owner has a permanent location where its motor vehicles are kept.