An Act To Improve the Process for Obtaining an Adjustment in State Valuation Due to Sudden and Severe Reduction in Municipal Valuation

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

Whereas,  the value of property within a municipality has a great effect on the calculation of the municipality’s required contribution for funding local schools; and

Whereas,  the sudden closure of businesses has a severe effect on municipal property valuations that is not currently accounted for in the calculation of general purpose aid for local schools; and

Whereas,  immediate relief is necessary to ensure municipalities with sudden and severe impacts upon property valuations are able to preserve adequate funding for education; 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Sec. 1. 36 MRSA §208-A, sub-§2, ¶C,  as repealed and replaced by PL 2007, c. 322, §2, is amended to read:

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