An Act To Revise the Calculation of Tolls Established for the Maine State Ferry Service

Sec. 1. 23 MRSA §4210-C, sub-§2,  as amended by PL 2005, c. 664, Pt. C, §1, is further amended to read:

Sec. 2. 23 MRSA §4404,  as enacted by PL 1981, c. 456, Pt. A, §88, is amended to read:

§ 4404. Tolls

The Department of Transportation shall , in a manner consistent with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title 5, chapter 375, establish adopt rules establishing tolls for the use of such the ferry line route or lines routes under this subchapter by vehicles, freight and passengers. Tolls must be calculated based upon the cost of service for vehicles, freight and passengers on each route of travel. In order to ensure affordability for island residents and the viability of the island community, the department may provide discounted tolls to island residents and other frequent users of the service based upon their daily travel needs. Tolls collected from the operation of the Maine State Ferry Service shall must at all times be kept in a separate fund distinct from all other moneys money of the State and shall must be used for the operation and debt retirement of the ferry service.

Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

summary

This bill requires the Department of Transportation, by rule, to establish ferry tolls for each route of travel that are based upon the cost of service for vehicles, freight and passengers, and allows the department to provide discounted tolls for frequent usage of the Maine State Ferry Service. This bill also requires that the Marine Highway account must fund 100% of the capital costs and no more than 75% of the operating costs of the Maine State Ferry Service.