Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §56 is enacted to read:

§56.__Change of use; state property

1.__Definitions.__As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A.__"State agency" has the same meaning as "agency" under section 43, first paragraph.

B.__"State property" means: real property, including structures on the property owned by the State; rights-of-way claimed or owned by the State; and real property, including structures on the property, leased for 5 or more years by the State.__"State property" does not include property covered under the Constitution of Maine, Article IX, Section 23.

2.__Duty to provide notice.__A state agency that proposes to change all or part of its use of state property shall publish a notice detailing the proposed change in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the state property is located.__The notice must be published at least 30 days before the change may be deemed authorized.

3.__Petition; change prohibited; legislation required.__If, within the 30-day period required under subsection 2, 25 or more state residents petition the state agency to challenge the proposed change in use, the state agency may not change the use of the state property unless the Legislature approves the change by law.

SUMMARY

This bill requires an agency of the State to publish a notice when it proposes to change all or part of its use of any real property owned by the State or subject to a long-term lease or right-of-way claim by the State. If 25 or more residents petition the agency during the 30-day notice period, the proposed change is prohibited unless the Legislature approves the change by law.