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LD 58, RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Restrict the Use of Eminent Domain

Presented by Senator Thomas of Somerset.
Cosponsored by Representative Davis of Sangerville and
Senators Hamper of Oxford, Sherman of Aroostook, Representatives Crockett of Bethel, Gifford of Lincoln, Stanley of Medway.

RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Restrict the Use of Eminent Domain

Constitutional amendment. Resolved: Two thirds of each branch of the Legislature concurring, that the following amendment to the Constitution of Maine be proposed:

Constitution, Art. I, §21 is amended to read:

Section 21. Private property, when to be taken. Private property shall may not be taken for public uses without just compensation; nor unless the public exigencies require it. Property acquired under this section may not be transferred to a person, nongovernmental entity, public-private partnership, corporation or other business entity except as provided in this section. If the property has not been used for the purposes for which it was acquired under this section within 5 years after its acquisition, the property may not be put to another use or transferred without first offering to the owner from whom the property was acquired or the heirs of the owner the property at current fair market value or the amount of just compensation that was provided to the owner, whichever is lower.
; and be it further
Constitutional referendum procedure; form of question; effective date. Resolved: That 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, at a statewide election held in the month of November following the passage of this resolution, to vote upon the ratification of the amendment proposed in this resolution by voting upon the following question:”Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to limit the transfer of property acquired by eminent domain power and to require that an opportunity be provided for the original owner to repurchase the property if it is not used for the purpose for which it was acquired?”

The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within the corresponding square below the word “Yes” or “No.” The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of State in the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature. The Governor shall review the returns. If it appears that a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of the amendment, the Governor shall proclaim that fact without delay and the amendment becomes part of the Constitution of Maine on the date of the proclamation; and be it further

Secretary of State shall prepare ballots. Resolved: That the Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of this resolution necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum.

SUMMARY

This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine in the current constitutional provision that regulates the acquisition of property through the use of the power of eminent domain. It provides that the property acquired may not be transferred to a person, nongovernmental entity, public-private partnership, corporation or other business entity except that, if the property is not used for the purposes for which it was acquired within 5 years of acquisition, before it may be transferred it must be offered to the owner or the heirs of the owner from whom the property was acquired at the fair market price or the amount of just compensation that had been provided to the owner, whichever is lower.

February 4th, 2013 | Category: This and That

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