APPROVED CHAPTER
MARCH 6, 2024 520
BY GOVERNOR PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR
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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, due to these immediate and material effects on municipalities, this
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. Transfer to Department of Administrative and Financial Services,
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. Transfer from General Fund unappropriated surplus; Property Tax
Stabilization - Mandate program. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the
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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 2024-25
All 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 2024-25
All 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. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.
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