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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1549S.P. 633 In Senate, April 10, 2025
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of
Maine Regarding the Use and Oversight of Transportation-related
Revenues
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator FARRIN of Somerset.
Cosponsored by Representative PARRY of Arundel and
Representatives: ALBERT of Madawaska, MASON of Lisbon, WHITE of Guilford. Page 1 - 132LR1630(01)1
2 Legislature concurring, that the following amendment to the Constitution of Maine be
3 proposed:
4is amended to read:
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7 excises and license taxes relating to registration, operation and use of vehicles on public
8 highways, and to fuels used for propulsion of such vehicles shall be expended solely for
9 cost of administration, statutory refunds and adjustments, payment of debts and liabilities
10 incurred in construction and reconstruction of highways and bridges, the cost of
11 construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair of public highways and bridges under
12 the direction and supervision of a state department having jurisdiction over such highways
13 and bridges and expense for state enforcement of traffic laws and shall not be diverted for
14 any purpose, provided that these limitations shall not apply to revenue from an excise tax
15 on motor vehicles imposed in lieu of personal property tax.
16 Beginning July 1, 2027, at least 60% of the sales and use tax revenue collected from motor
17 vehicle dealers and by the state department having jurisdiction over motor vehicles must
18 be transferred to the Highway Fund or successor fund and must be expended solely for
19 costs to plan, design, engineer, construct, improve, maintain, operate, purchase, manage or
20 demolish infrastructure and systems related to all modes of transportation, including public
21 highways, bridges, aviation, transit, railroads, ferries, ports and other marine infrastructure,
22 trails, pedestrian infrastructure and bicycle facilities, as well as all buildings, utilities and
23 other appurtenances related to these modes, and may not be diverted or deallocated for
24 other purposes.
25 Beginning July 1, 2027, the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction
26 over transportation matters has jurisdiction over all financial matters related to the Highway
27 Fund or successor fund.
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30 respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding
31 a statewide election, at a statewide election held in the month of November following the
32 passage of this resolution, to vote upon the ratification of the amendment proposed in this
33 resolution by voting upon the following question:
34 "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to provide that at least
35 60% of the sales and use tax revenue collected from motor vehicle dealers
36 and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles must be spent solely for costs of all
37 modes of transportation and to provide that the Legislature's transportation
38 committee has jurisdiction over all financial matters related to the
39 Highway Fund?"
40 The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question
41 and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within the corresponding square
42 below the word "Yes" or "No." The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and declared
43 in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of State in
44 the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature. The Governor shall review the Page 2 - 132LR1630(01)
45 returns. If it appears that a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of the amendment,
46 the Governor shall proclaim that fact without delay and the amendment becomes part of
47 the Constitution of Maine on the date of the proclamation.
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5 shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of
6 this resolution necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum.
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8 This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to provide that, beginning
9 July 1, 2027, at least 60% of automobile-related sales and use tax revenue must be
10 transferred to the Highway Fund and must be expended solely for costs of all modes of
11 transportation, including public highways, bridges, aviation, transit, railroads, ferries, ports
12 and other marine infrastructure, trails, pedestrian infrastructure and bicycle facilities and
13 related appurtenances. The resolution also provides that, beginning July 1, 2027, the joint
14 standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters has
15 jurisdiction over all financial matters related to the Highway Fund.
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