Acquisition of water

access sites $5,000,000

Provides funds for the purchase of property or interests in property to provide public access to fresh or coastal waters that presently have no public access or very limited public access and to provide any necessary minor capital improvements on the property to provide for public access or improved accessibility.

Sec. 7. Contingent upon ratification of bond issue. Sections 1 to 6 do not become effective unless the people of the State have ratified the issuance of bonds as set forth in this Act.

Sec. 8. Appropriation balances at year end. At the end of each fiscal year, all unencumbered appropriation balances representing state money carry forward. Bond proceeds that have not been expended within 10 years after the date of the sale of the bonds lapse to General Fund debt service.

Sec. 9. Bonds authorized but not issued. Any bonds authorized but not issued, or for which bond anticipation notes are not issued within 5 years of ratification of this Act, are deauthorized and may not be issued; except that the Legislature may, within 2 years after the expiration of that 5-year period, extend the period for issuing any remaining unissued bonds or bond anticipation notes for an additional amount of time not to exceed 5 years.

Sec. 10. Referendum for ratification; submission at statewide election; form of question; effective date. This Act must be submitted to the legal voters of the State of Maine at a statewide election held on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November following passage of this Act. The municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, to vote on the acceptance or rejection of this Act by voting on the following question:

"Do you favor a $5,000,000 bond issue for the acquisition of water access sites by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife?"