PRIA Logo™
MaineLD 41132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

Resolve, Authorizing the State Tax Assessor to Convey the Interest of the State in Certain Real Estate in the Unorganized Territory

Sponsored By: Kristen Cloutier (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

REVENUE SERVICES BUREAUREVENUE SERVICES BUREAU - CONVEYANCES

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Former owners get limited property buyback rights

Maine's State Tax Assessor can sell the state's interest in listed Unorganized Territory properties. Former owners, heirs, or people named to inherit in a will can buy back these properties. They must pay all outstanding taxes, interest, deed costs, and other costs within 90 days after the law takes effect. Otherwise, the assessor follows the required sale process. At least 90 days before listing, the assessor must explain that process in notices sent to the former owner's last known address. Notices must go by both first-class mail and certified mail with a return receipt requested. After that notice period, the assessor must list the property through a licensed real estate broker or agent. After 3 unsuccessful attempts to hire one, or no sale within 12 months after listing, the highest-bidder process applies. That sale must cover at least the outstanding taxes, interest, deed costs, and other costs. Sale notices must run in a newspaper in the property's county once weekly for 3 consecutive weeks. Publication is not required for sales to specific people authorized by the law. If no bids meet the listed minimum, the assessor can sell for at least that minimum without seeking bids again. This option ends August 1, 2026. Excess proceeds go to the former owner, heirs, or people named to inherit, under state law. After payment, the assessor must record the deed before sending it to the buyer, at no extra recording charge.

Tax staff and relatives face purchase ban

Maine Bureau of Revenue Services employees cannot acquire property covered by this law from the state. The ban also covers their spouses, siblings, parents, and children.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kristen Cloutier

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, RESLV Chapter 94

    6/20/2025

  2. FINALLY PASSED, in concurrence.

    6/16/2025Senate

  3. FINALLY PASSED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/16/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCEUnder suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED, in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    6/16/2025Senate

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Resolve was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/16/2025House

  6. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  7. Received by the Clerk of the House on January 6, 2025.The Resolve was REFERRED to the Committee on TAXATION pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    1/6/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation