Constitution change set for statewide vote

AUGUSTA – The Maine Legislature passed a constitutional amendment Tuesday that’s closely tied to the property tax relief bill lawmakers enacted earlier this year. With the unanimous votes in the House and Senate, the bill now must go to the state’s voters.

The purpose of the amendment, LD 299, is to preserve wharves that face closure because of sharply rising coastal property values. The loss of wharves hurts Maine’s fishing industry.

The amendment passed Tuesday would allow towns to assess waterfront land used for commercial fishing activities based on the current use of that property even as surrounding property values rise. Similar tax treatment is allowed for farms, open space and woodlands.

Several other proposed amendments related to the tax relief measure have been killed or remain in committee.