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MaineLD 640132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act Requiring That Certain Fees Charged by the Courts for Court-ordered Payments Be Capped and Paid by the Defendant

Sponsored By: Rachel Henderson (Republican)

Became Law

CIVIL PROCEDURECIVIL PROCEDURE - FORFEITURES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Losing party pays 5% interest fee

When a court orders money to be paid, the accrued interest faces a 5% court fee. The court then pays the rest of the interest to the claimant. The losing party must pay this fee, and it is capped at $1,000 unless the court orders more. Before payout, the clerk tells all parties about the 5% fee.

Unclaimed court funds go to the state

If court-ordered money is unclaimed for 20 years, the clerk must publish notice in a county paper for three weeks. If no one claims it within 60 days after the last notice, the money is forfeited to the State and sent to the Treasurer. This also applies to funds held 20 years or more before September 16, 1961.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rachel Henderson

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam Lee

    Democratic • House

  • Ann Fredericks

    Republican • House

  • Elizabeth Caruso

    Republican • House

  • Sheila Lyman

    Republican • House

  • William Bridgeo

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 260

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/5/2025Senate

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

    6/4/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-452) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-452), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    6/3/2025Senate

  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" (H-452).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/3/2025House

  6. 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

  7. Received by the Clerk of the House on February 20, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    2/20/2025House

Bill Text

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