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MaineLD 1189132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Allow an Attorney for the State to Determine Whether to Charge Certain Class E Crimes as Civil Violations

Sponsored By: Matt Moonen (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

CRIMINAL PROCEDURECRIMINAL PROCEDURE - ARREST

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Up to $1,000 fine on reduced cases

Beginning Jan 1, 2026, if your Class E charge is reduced and you are found to have committed the civil violation, the court can fine you up to $1,000. The law sets a maximum only; it does not set a default amount or tiers. For Title 29-A cases that are reduced and adjudicated, the court must tell the Secretary of State the original Class E offense and its citation. The court must also include that original offense information in the abstract sent under Title 29-A, section 2607.

One-time $3,900 for court programming

The state provides a one-time $3,900 General Fund appropriation in fiscal year 2025-26 to the Judicial Department for programming costs. There is no money for 2026-27. This change takes effect Jan 1, 2026.

Prosecutors can charge some Class E as civil

Beginning Jan 1, 2026, the state’s attorney can choose to file some Class E offenses as civil violations instead of crimes. This option does not apply to Title 21-A offenses or to offenses that would carry probation or a mandatory driver’s license suspension if convicted. It is not allowed if you were arrested and you object. The prosecutor must weigh how serious the conduct was, harm to the victim, your prior record, and other relevant factors. The prosecutor’s charging decision under this law is not reviewable by a judge.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Matt Moonen

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam LEE

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Amy Kuhn

    Democratic • House

  • Anne M. Carney

    Democratic • Senate

  • David Sinclair

    Democratic • House

  • Elizabeth Caruso

    Republican • House

  • Jennifer Poirier

    Republican • House

  • Rachel Henderson

    Republican • House

  • Rachel Talbot Ross

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 96 • No: 85

Senate vote • 6/17/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 19 • No: 15

House vote • 6/17/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 77 • No: 70

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 496

    7/7/2025

  2. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

  3. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence

    6/17/2025Senate

  4. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/17/2025House

  5. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 603 Yeas 19 - Nays 15 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-752) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-752) in concurrence.

    6/17/2025Senate

  6. Reports READ.On motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 539(Yeas 77 - Nays 70 - Absent 2 - Excused 2)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-752) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-752). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/17/2025House

  7. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  8. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY in concurrence

    3/20/2025Senate

  9. Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/20/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-752), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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