| | Constitutional amendment. Resolved: Two thirds of each branch of the | Legislature concurring, that the following amendment to the | Constitution of Maine be proposed: |
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| | Constitution, Art. IX, §8, sub-§2 is amended to read: |
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| | 2. Assessment of certain lands based on current use; | penalty on change to higher use. The Legislature shall have | power to provide for the assessment of the following types of | real estate whenever situated in accordance with a valuation | based upon the current use thereof and in accordance with such | conditions as the Legislature may enact: |
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| A. Farms and agricultural lands, timberlands and | woodlands; |
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| B. Open space lands which are used for recreation or the | enjoyment of scenic natural beauty; and |
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| C. Lands used for game management or wildlife | sanctuaries.; and |
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| D.__Waterfront land and structures used primarily for | commercial fishing purposes, including, but not limited | to, access, dockage, processing, vessel and gear storage | and the purchase of marine products from a person who | fishes commercially. |
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| | In implementing paragraphs A, B and, C and D, the | Legislature shall provide that any change of use higher than | those set forth in paragraphs A, B and, C and D, except when | the change is occasioned by a transfer resulting from the | exercise or threatened exercise of the power of eminent | domain, shall result in the imposition of a minimum penalty | equal to the tax which would have been imposed over the 5 | years preceding that change of use had that real estate been | assessed at its highest and best use, less all taxes paid on | that real estate over the preceding 5 years, and interest, | upon such reasonable and equitable basis as the Legislature | shall determine. Any statutory or constitutional penalty | imposed as a result of a change of use, whether imposed before | or after the approval of this subsection, shall be determined | without regard to the presence of minerals, provided that, | when payment of the penalty is made or demanded, whichever | occurs first, there is in effect a state excise tax which | applies or would apply to the mining of those minerals. |
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| | 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 |
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