MSBA Legislative Update 03-20-09

STATE OF THE JUDICIARY

Chief Justice Leigh Saufley addressed a joint session of the Maine House of Representatives and Senate, concerning the state of the Judiciary. The text of her speech may be found at: www.courts.state.me.us. She indicated that the State of the Judiciary was “precarious” though much progress had been made in recent years. This includes improved funding for the Judicial Branch, court security, and a new consolidated Courthouse in Bangor. She urged legislators to approve the judicial budget as presented and to not make any further cuts to the budget, and also urged them to approve funding for a new courthouse in Augusta, which would combine court rooms at three locations, provide efficiencies in heating and cooling, and improvements in security.

UPCOMING ISSUES

• LD 391 (clarify adverse possession) – Public Hearing March 31, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in Room 438 of the State House.
  
• LD 487 (increase judicial salaries) – Public Hearing March 24, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. in Room 438 of the State House.
  
• LD 567 (victims of domestic violence) – Public Hearing April 1, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 436 of the State House.
  
• LD 615 (appraisal in eminent domain) – Public Hearing April 2, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in Room 438 of the State House.
  
• LD 882 (modernize Maine’s courts) – Public Hearing April 7, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in Room 438 of the State House.
  
• LD 962 (protect family care givers) – Public Hearing April 3, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. in Room 438 of the State House.
  
• LD 1039 (advance directives) – Public Hearing April 7, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in Room 438 of the State House.