State Sen. Paul Davis presents sales tax exemption legislation

AUGUSTA — On Jan. 20 State Sen. Paul Davis (R-Piscataquis) presented a bill to the Legislature’s Taxation Committee intended to assist several Maine industries.

The legislation, LD 1481, “An Act to Protect Maine’s Natural Resource Jobs by Exempting from Sales Tax Petroleum Products Used in Commercial Farming, Fishing and Forestry” exempts petroleum products that run the equipment used in these three agricultural fields. This would include fuel, any lubricating oil or any other lubricant that is used for the vehicle.

“It is important that we help and protect these three important industries. By doing so, we are helping our friends and neighbors who are earning a living as farmers, foresters, and fishermen. We are helping these industries survive for future generations,” said Davis. “This bill would be good news for industries who have had too much bad news recently.”

By lowering the tax burden that businesses pay for fuel products, the legislation would free up money for businesses to invest elsewhere, whether that be maintaining their current business, expanding their business, or employing more Mainers.

In his testimony to the committee State Rep. Russell Black (R-Wilton), a farmer himself, noted the impact the tax has on him and others in the industry, “This sales tax continues to be a burden on Maine businesses and the jobs of those in our farming, fishing, and forestry industries. These are industries that already have a very slim margin of profit.”

A work session on the legislation has been scheduled for Jan. 27 in the Taxation Committee.