Resolution, Proposing An Amendment To The Constitution Of Maine To Require A Supermajority Of The Legislature To Approve Raising Taxes
LD 1553 proposes amending Maine's Constitution to require a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers to raise existing tax rates or impose new taxes. Currently, legislative consent is required for taxes, but this bill would strengthen that requirement by mandating a supermajority vote instead of a simple majority. The amendment would also allow tax changes to be approved through direct citizen initiative (a public vote) as an alternative to the legislative supermajority. This resolution must be approved by the legislature and then ratified by Maine voters in a statewide election to become part of the state constitution. If adopted, it would directly affect how the legislature passes tax-related legislation.
Bill status
failed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 10, 2025
Last action Jun 3, 2025
Floor votes · House Jun 2, 2025
How they voted
67–59
Passed · 10 other
Total votes 136
Jun 2, 2025
D
Democratic66
96% Yea
I
Independent3
100% Yea
R
Republican67
88% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
18
Key actions
3
Committee
5
Jun 2, 2025
Committee
On motion of Representative SALISBURY of Westbrook, the Majority Ought Not to Pass Report was ACCEPTED.
lower
Jun 2, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (67-59-10)
house
May 29, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - ONTP/OTP-AM
legislature
Apr 10, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Committee
On motion of Representative CLOUTIER of Lewiston, the RESOLUTION was REFERRED to the Committee on STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee on TAXATION suggested and ordered printed.
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Rachel Henderson
RRepublican
Co
Artie Mingo
RRepublican
Co
Billy Bob Faulkingham
RRepublican
Co
Bruce Bickford
RRepublican
Co
Donald Ardell
RRepublican
Co
Mathew McIntyre
RRepublican
Co
Randall Greenwood
RRepublican
Co
Shelley Rudnicki
RRepublican
Co
Thomas Lavigne
RRepublican
Co
Tracy Quint
RRepublican
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