Page 1 - 131LR1194(03) STATE OF MAINE _____ IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR _____ H.P. 423 - L.D. 646 An Act to Fully Reimburse Municipalities for Lost Revenue Under the Property Tax Stabilization for Senior Citizens Program Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and Whereas, certain municipalities have not been fully reimbursed for lost revenue resulting from underfunding of the property tax stabilization for senior citizens program established pursuant to Public Law 2021, chapter 751 and amended by Public Law 2023, chapter 412, Part S, section 10 to apply only to the property tax year beginning April 1, 2023; and Whereas, the lost revenue may have an immediate and material effect on municipalities; and Whereas, legislation requires the State Controller to transfer funds in March and June of 2024; 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, Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: Sec. 1. Property Tax Stabilization program. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, on or before March 1, 2024, the State Controller shall transfer $15,000,000 from the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Property Tax Stabilization program, Other Special Revenue Funds account to fully reimburse municipalities for lost revenue under the property tax stabilization program under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, section 6281 in the property tax year beginning April 1, 2023 only. Sec. 2. Stabilization - Mandate program. APPROVED MARCH 6, 2024 BY GOVERNOR CHAPTER 520 PUBLIC LAW Page 2 - 131LR1194(03) contrary, on or before June 30, 2024, the State Controller shall transfer $50,000 from the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Property Tax Stabilization - Mandate program, Other Special Revenue Funds account for the purposes of funding the reimbursements to municipalities for the state-mandated costs related to implementation and administration of the property tax stabilization program under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, section 6281. Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made. ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF Property Tax Stabilization Z368 Initiative: Provides a one-time allocation to fully reimburse municipalities for lost revenue under the property tax stabilization program under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, section 6281. OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 2023-24 2024-25All Other $15,000,000 $0 ____________________ OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL $15,000,000 $0 Property Tax Stabilization - Mandate Z369 Initiative: Provides a one-time allocation to reimburse municipalities for state-mandated costs related to implementation and administration of the property tax stabilization program under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, section 6281. OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 2023-24 2024-25All Other $50,000 $0 ____________________ OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL $50,000 $0 ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF DEPARTMENT TOTALS 2023-24 2024-25 OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS $15,050,000 $0 ____________________ DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS $15,050,000 $0 Emergency clause. takes effect when approved.