AUGUSTA — Legislation that would eliminate the tax that Mainers pay when they inherit large estates is running into opposition from Democrats.

The Maine House on Tuesday has cast an initial vote to reject the bill. The party-line vote was 77 to 65.

Under current law, estates valued at nearly $5.5 million are exempt from the estate tax, which is triggered when the ownership of a property transfers as a result of death.

The Legislature last year more than doubled the previous $2 million state exemption.

Republicans argued that estate tax is unfair and forces families to hire expensive lawyers to break up land and businesses to avoid the tax.

Rep. Adam Goode, a Democrat from Bangor, said he opposes the bill because it would benefit only 60 wealthy families annually.