RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Change the Assessment of Lands Used for Long-term Ownership

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. Long-term ownership of property. Beginning with property tax year 2008, the Legislature has the power to provide that municipalities may reduce taxes on real property if the property owner agrees to retain ownership of the property within the owner's immediate family for a period of time not less than 5 years in accordance with criteria adopted by the Legislature.

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:

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 constitutional resolution amends the Constitution of Maine to provide the Legislature the authority to allow a municipality to reduce property taxes on real property if the owner agrees to retain ownership of the property within the owner's immediate family for a period of not less than 5 years.