MaineLD 640132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

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)

Signed by Governor

CIVIL PROCEDURECIVIL PROCEDURE - FORFEITURES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Winners get interest; losing side pays capped fee

When a court orders money to be paid, all interest earned goes to the person owed the money. The losing party must pay the court a fee equal to 5% of that accrued interest. The fee is capped at $1,000, unless the court orders otherwise. Before disbursing funds, the clerk tells the parties about the 5% fee.

Unclaimed court funds go to the State

If money held by a court clerk is not claimed for 20 years from when it is payable, the clerk must get a court order. The clerk then publishes an abstract notice in a county newspaper for three weeks. If no one claims the money within 60 days after the last notice, the money goes to the State Treasurer. This also covers money held for 20 or more years before September 16, 1961.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rachel Henderson

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam LEE

    Affiliation unavailable

  • 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. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 260

    6/11/2025
  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

  • Amendment C-A (H-452), adopted by House & Senate

  • Enacted

  • Introduced

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