Sec. A-3. 5 MRSA §1517, as amended by PL 2003, c. 451, Pt. X, §6, is repealed.

Sec. A-4. 5 MRSA §1518-A is enacted to read:

§1518-A.__Tax Relief Fund for Maine Residents

1.__Tax Relief Fund for Maine Residents.__There is created the Tax Relief Fund for Maine Residents, which must be used to provide tax relief to residents of the State.__The fund consists of all resources transferred to the fund under section 1536 and other resources made available to the fund.

2.__Nonlapsing fund.__Any unexpended balance in the Tax Relief Fund for Maine Residents may not lapse but must be carried forward to be used pursuant to subsection 1.

Sec. A-5. 5 MRSA c. 142 is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 142

MAINE BUDGET STABILIZATION FUND

§1531.__Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

1.__Average population growth.__"Average population growth" means the average for the prior 10 calendar years, ending with the most recent calendar year for which data is available, of the percent change in population from July 1st of each year and estimated by the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census as adjusted and maintained by the Executive Department, State Planning Office.

2.__Average real personal income growth.__"Average real personal income growth" means the average for the prior 10 calendar years, ending with the most recent calendar year for which data is available, of the percent change in personal income in this State, as estimated by the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, less the percent change in the Consumer Price Index for the calendar year.__For purposes of this subsection, "Consumer Price Index" has the same meaning as in Title 36, section 5402, subsection 1.