Tax committee orders assessor survey and possible audit as first step in tree‑growth review

The committee took up property tax task force follow‑up recommendations and focused on tree‑growth tax law. Representative Sayre proposed a three‑step approach to avoid premature overhaul: (1) survey assessors about implementation, confusion or failures to follow law, (2) if warranted conduct a directed audit (similar to one about a decade ago), and (3) convene a working group only if the audit shows deeper systemic issues.

Patty Cormier, director of the Maine Forest Service, said Maine Forest Service can lead the survey work in collaboration with Maine Revenue Services and the University of Maine and aim for a report by Jan. 15, 2027. Cormier said the audit would take longer but the Forest Service would participate and work with assessors. Committee members emphasized consulting landowners, municipal officials and foresters in developing survey questions to capture edge‑case concerns about whether the statute's administration is producing outcomes that are consistent with the program's goals.

Several members framed the effort as focused on implementation and edge cases rather than broad policy changes. "The purpose of this is not to blow up an existing program," Representative Sayre said; rather, the committee will seek to identify whether confusion exists and whether management plans and assessor follow‑through are occurring. The chairs asked MRS, Maine Forest Service and other stakeholders to develop the survey and report back; analysts will include the results in draft committee language and a timeline for next steps.

Next steps: Maine Forest Service (lead) with MRS and stakeholder input will develop and deploy an assessor survey and report findings to the taxation committee by Jan. 15, 2027; the committee may request an audit if survey responses indicate systemic problems.