Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period to allow for the continuation of construction of the Lincoln and Sagadahoc Multicounty Jail Authority; and

Whereas, the jail can become fully staffed and operational in time for the completion of the building only if the jail costs are exempted from the county tax assessment; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 30-A MRSA §706-A, sub-§5, ¶D is enacted to read:

D.__Notwithstanding paragraphs A and B, for fiscal years 2005-06 and 2006-07 in Sagadahoc County and fiscal years 2006-07 in Lincoln County, Lincoln County and Sagadahoc County may exceed the county assessment limit without the additional approvals required under subsection 7 to the extent necessary to fund the construction, transitional staffing and operational costs of a new jail facility administered by the Lincoln and Sagadahoc Multicounty Jail Authority under chapter 17.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill exempts Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties from including the construction, transitional staffing and operational costs of the new jail administered by the Lincoln and Sagadahoc Multicounty Jail Authority in the county tax assessment for a period of 2 years and from having to go through the approval process usually used to exceed the county assessment to do so.