An Act To Amend the Law Regarding the Sale of Wood Pellets and Wood

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  this legislation increases the amount of wood pellets presumed to meet the requirement of residential use and thus to qualify for a sales tax exemption; and

Whereas,  this legislation clarifies the amount of wood presumed to meet the requirement of residential use and thus to qualify for a sales tax exemption; and

Whereas,  this legislation needs to be in effect for this spring season to allow citizens of the State to benefit from the exemptions; 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,

Sec. 1. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§9,  as amended by PL 2009, c. 625, §7, is further amended to read:

Sec. 2. Suppliers of wood pellets. The Maine State Housing Authority shall amend its rules governing the awarding of contracts to suppliers of wood pellets for purposes of carrying out its duties to receive, distribute and administer federal funds on behalf of the State for fuel assistance pursuant to the federal Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program administered through the United States Department of Health and Human Services to give preference, all other factors being substantially equal, to a supplier of wood pellets that is incorporated under the laws of, and has its principal place of business within, a state in the United States of America.

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