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An Act To Avoid Loss of Revenue to the State
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  the increase in the sales tax on lodging to 8% is scheduled to expire on July 1, 2015; and
Whereas,  it is necessary to maintain adequate revenue to the State to support needed expenditures; and
Whereas,  reducing the sales tax on lodging will result in the State's having insufficient revenue to support needed expenditures; and
Whereas,  it is necessary to avoid the reduction in the sales tax on lodging on July 1st in order to avoid confusion for taxpayers and administrative burdens for both taxpayers and the State; and
Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §13090-K, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. M, §1, is further amended to read:
 
2. Source of fund.   Beginning July 1, 2003 and every July 1st thereafter, the State Controller shall transfer to the Tourism Marketing Promotion Fund an amount, as certified by the State Tax Assessor, that is equivalent to 5% of the 8% tax on the value of rental of living quarters in any hotel, rooming house or tourist or trailer camp and 5% of the 7% tax imposed on tangible personal property and other taxable services pursuant to Title 36, section 1811, for the first 6 months of the prior fiscal year after the reduction for the transfer to the Local Government Fund as described by Title 30-A, section 5681, subsection 5, except that, from October 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015, the amount is equivalent to 5% of the 8% tax imposed on tangible personal property and taxable services pursuant to Title 36, section 1811. Beginning on October 1, 2003 and every October 1st thereafter, the State Controller shall transfer to the Tourism Marketing Promotion Fund an amount, as certified by the State Tax Assessor, that is equivalent to 5% of the 8% tax on the value of rental of living quarters in any hotel, rooming house or tourist or trailer camp and 5% of the 7% tax imposed on tangible personal property and other taxable services pursuant to Title 36, section 1811, for the last 6 months of the prior fiscal year after the reduction for the transfer to the Local Government Fund, except that, from October 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015, the amount is equivalent to 5% of the 8% tax imposed on tangible personal property and taxable services pursuant to Title 36, section 1811. The tax amount must be based on actual sales for that fiscal year and may not consider any accruals that may be required by law. The amount transferred from General Fund sales and use tax revenues does not affect the calculation for the transfer to the Local Government Fund.
Sec. 2. 36 MRSA §1811, first ¶, as repealed and replaced by PL 2013, c. 588, Pt. E, §11, is amended to read:
A tax is imposed on the value of all tangible personal property, products transferred electronically and taxable services sold at retail in this State. The rate of tax is 7% on the value of liquor sold in licensed establishments as defined in Title 28-A, section 2, subsection 15, in accordance with Title 28-A, chapter 43; 7%8% on the value of rental of living quarters in any hotel, rooming house or tourist or trailer camp; 10% on the value of rental for a period of less than one year of an automobile, of a pickup truck or van with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds rented from a person primarily engaged in the business of renting automobiles or of a loaner vehicle that is provided other than to a motor vehicle dealer's service customers pursuant to a manufacturer’s or dealer’s warranty; 7% on the value of prepared food; and 5% on the value of all other tangible personal property and taxable services and products transferred electronically. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, from October 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015, the rate of tax is 8% on the value of rental of living quarters in any hotel, rooming house or tourist or trailer camp; 8% on the value of prepared food; 8% on the value of liquor sold in licensed establishments as defined in Title 28-A, section 2, subsection 15, in accordance with Title 28-A, chapter 43; and 5.5% on the value of all other tangible personal property and taxable services and products transferred electronically. Value is measured by the sale price, except as otherwise provided. The value of rental for a period of less than one year of an automobile or of a pickup truck or van with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds rented from a person primarily engaged in the business of renting automobiles is the total rental charged to the lessee and includes, but is not limited to, maintenance and service contracts, drop-off or pick-up fees, airport surcharges, mileage fees and any separately itemized charges on the rental agreement to recover the owner’s estimated costs of the charges imposed by government authority for title fees, inspection fees, local excise tax and agent fees on all vehicles in its rental fleet registered in the State. All fees must be disclosed when an estimated quote is provided to the lessee.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect July 1, 2015.
 
SUMMARY
This bill continues the sales tax on lodging at 8% on and after July 1, 2015 in order to avoid the decrease to 7% scheduled under current law.