Commentary

"Believe In Me. … Maine"
By Rep. Susan Austin

While serving on the Business Research and Economic Development Committee I gain and gather "good news" just for YOU! The Legislature is out of session presently but there is plenty of information coming across my desk.

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom… is still taking orders for agricultural recognition registration plates. Once the goal of 2,000 pre-sold plates has been met, the Secretary of State, Matt Dunlap will officially propose legislation for these special plates. The fee is $20 per plate. The plate will display a number and then the letters: AGG (The slogan at the bottom of the license plate is yet to be determined.) The proceeds from the sale of these plates will benefit Maine agricultural education. For more information call 287-5522, go to www.MaineAgTag.com or maitca@maine.gov

December 5th I will join my Business Research and Economic Development Committee to work on some carry over bills in preparation for the new session on January 4th! As of Cloture Date in October approximately 500 bills were submitted by legislators for the upcoming session. The Legislative Council worked through those bills and pared them down to a manageable 175 to be worked by the appropriate 17 state committee's of jurisdiction.

Also, there are 233 bills that were carried over from last session (total 408) to be worked between January 4th and the end of March. The bills submitted for the second session needed to meet the straight face test of being an "Emergency"…one such bill is sponsored by Rep. Darlene Curley of Scarborough. She submitted it after a constituent, Ms. Tina Turcotte, died of injuries after her car was struck July 29 on Interstate 95 by a truck driver with multiple license suspensions. Through Tina's Law Rep. Curley and Sen. Bill Diamond of Windham are pushing for tougher penalties with this piece of legislation.

Special Notice For Off-Highway Refund Filers: Change In Tax Rates, Application And Filing Periods

Maine motor fuel excise tax rates are indexed each year on July 1. The indexing is based on any change in the National Consumer Price Index over the prior 12 month period. On July 1, 2005, motor fuel excise tax rates increased by 2.7%. The new tax rates are .259 cents per gallon of gasoline, .270 cents per gallon of diesel, and .188 cents per gallon of propane.

The Special Fuel and Gasoline Tax Refund Application form is used to request a refund of excise tax paid on fuel used for "off highway" purposes. An offset is made for sales/use tax due on the fuel. Original invoices must be maintained to document any refund claimed. You may be required to provide copies of the original invoicing for verification of the purchase price and excise taxes paid. These records should be maintained for a period of six years.

Prior to September 17, 2005, requests for a refund could be made up to 15 months from the date of purchase of the fuel. Effective September 17, 2005 all requests for a refund must be made within 12 months of the date of purchase.

Use the SFGR form for purchases made prior to October 1, 2004. The OFF-1 form should be used for all purchases on or after October 1, 2004. Refund requests made on the incorrect form will be returned.
Please contact Maine Revenue Services at 207-624-9609 for assistance or for new forms. Forms are also available at http://www.maine.gov/revenue/fueltax. Follow the link to Fuel Tax Refund Programs.

Sue Austin represents District #109 in the House of Representatives
Portions of Gray, North Yarmouth and Pownal