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MaineLD 20132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)Senate

An Act Regarding the First Judicial District and the District Court Locations in the Judicial Divisions of Androscoggin and Western Aroostook

Sponsored By: Anne M. Carney (Democratic)

Became Law

COURTSCOURTS - DISTRICT COURT

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Funding cut after Madawaska court closure

The law reduces Judicial Department General Fund money due to the Madawaska district court closure. For 2025-26, it cuts $44,056: $5,416 for Personal Services and $38,640 for All Other. For 2026-27, it cuts $52,868: $6,500 for Personal Services and $46,368 for All Other. This reflects ongoing savings and may affect local court operations.

Boundary review report due January 2026

By January 15, 2026, the Chief Judge must send a report to the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee. The report covers any plan to redraw judicial division boundaries in Title 4, section 153. The committee may file a bill in the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature. This sets a public timeline for possible map changes.

Court sites set for Androscoggin, Aroostook

The law holds the Androscoggin District Court in Lewiston or Auburn. The Chief Judge chooses the site. In Western Aroostook, court is held in Madawaska and Fort Kent. The Chief Judge sets how much service each site gets. People may need to travel more or less for court, and access can shift by location.

Updated divisions and power to move towns

The First Judicial District includes Eastern Aroostook (Caribou) and Western Aroostook (Madawaska, Fort Kent, Van Buren). The Eighth Judicial District covers Androscoggin (Lewiston). The Chief Judge can move any town or unorganized area between Eastern and Western Aroostook for public convenience. Orders can be changed or repealed and must be posted on the court’s website. This clarifies which court serves each area and allows quick updates.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Anne M. Carney

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 436

    5/1/2026

  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.

    5/27/2025Senate

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

    5/27/2025House

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-105).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/22/2025House

  6. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-105) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-105).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    5/20/2025Senate

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

    3/21/2025Senate

  8. Received by the Secretary of the Senate on January 6, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2

    1/8/2025Senate

Bill Text

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