An Act To Fully Restore State-Municipal Revenue Sharing for Fiscal Year 2018-19
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, state-municipal revenue sharing was decreased for fiscal years 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 from 5% to 2%; and
Whereas, the decrease in funds shared with municipalities has had a drastic effect on municipalities and their ability to provide services to their residents; and
Whereas, although the percentage of revenue sharing is scheduled to return to 5% beginning July 1, 2019, it is necessary that these funds be restored as soon as possible to avoid further damage to municipalities; 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,
Sec. 1. 30-A MRSA §5681, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. K, §1, is further amended to read:
Sec. 2. Retroactivity. This Act applies retroactively to July 1, 2018.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill restores state-municipal revenue sharing to 5% from 2% for the entire fiscal year 2018-19. The law currently requires revenue sharing to revert to 5% beginning July 1, 2019.