H.P. 1681 - L.D. 2298
Resolve, to Create a Task Force to Study Telecommunications Taxation
Sec. 1. Task force established. Resolved: That the Task Force to Study Telecommunications Taxation, referred to in this resolve as the "task force," is established; and be it further
Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of the following 15 members:
1. One member from the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, either the Bureau of Revenue Services or the Bureau of Information Services, appointed by the Governor;
2. One member from the Department of Economic and Community Development, appointed by the Governor;
3. One municipal official who has expertise in the area of telecommunications property taxation, appointed by the Governor;
4. Six representatives from the communications industry, appointed by the Governor, representing the following business groups:
A. One representative of an independent telephone company;
B. One representative of a regional telephone company;
C. One representative of a long distance telephone company;
D. One representative of a cable television company;
E. One representative of an internet service provider; and
F. One representative of a primarily nonwire-based telecommunications carrier;
5. Three members of the Senate, at least one of whom represents the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
6. Three members of the House of Representatives, at least one of whom represents the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and be it further
Sec. 3. Appointments; meetings. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council must be notified by all appointing authorities once the appointments have been made. Within 15 days after the appointment of all members has been completed, the Chair of the Legislative Council shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force. The members shall select a chair from among the members who are Legislators; and be it further
Sec. 4. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall:
1. Identify and recommend methods to eliminate disparities within the present tax system among the various telecommunications industry subgroups including, but not limited to:
A. Rural independent telephone service providers;
B. Regional telephone companies;
C. Cellular telephone service providers;
D. Long distance telephone service providers;
E. Cable television companies;
F. Internet service providers; and
G. Radio paging service providers;
2. Compare the telecommunications businesses with other industry sectors and, to the extent possible, with similar businesses in other states;
3. Evaluate strategies to ensure that the telecommunications tax system is easily administered and predictable and that it provides for revenue stability; and
4. Clearly define the tax base and appropriate taxing jurisdiction; and be it further
Sec. 5. Staffing assistance. Resolved: That the task force may request staffing assistance from the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services and the Legislative Council; and be it further
Sec. 6. Reimbursement. Resolved: That the members of the task force who are Legislators are entitled to receive the legislative per diem as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2 and to
receive reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses for attendance at meetings of the task force upon application to the Executive Director of the Legislative Council. Other members are not entitled to reimbursement of expenses; and be it further
Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That the task force shall submit a report together with any necessary implementing legislation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over taxation matters, with a copy to the Executive Director of the Legislative Council, no later than January 15, 1999. If the task force requires an extension, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension; and be it further
Sec. 8. Meetings. Resolved: That the task force may meet up to 6 times; and be it further
Sec. 9. Appropriation. Resolved: That the following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this resolve.
1998-99
LEGISLATURE
Task Force to Study Telecommunications Taxation
Personal Services $1,980
All Other 2,300
Provides funds for the per diem and expenses of legislative members and miscellaneous costs of the Task Force to Study Telecommunications Taxation.
LEGISLATURE ____________
TOTAL $4,280
Effective July 9, 1998, unless otherwise indicated.
| Revisor of Statutes Homepage | Subject Index | Search | Laws of Maine | Maine Legislature |
