Title 1

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if an entity that has taken property by eminent domain fails to use the property for the project or purpose for which that property was taken, the condemnee or the condemnee's heirs have a right of first refusal to purchase the property…

1. Purposes. Except as provided in subsections 2 and 3 and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State, a political subdivision of the State and any other entity with eminent domain authority may not condemn land used for agriculture, fishing or forestry or land improve…

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a uniform policy for the treatment of persons displaced as a result of federally assisted state programs in order that such persons shall not suffer as a result of programs designed for the benefit of the public as a whole, and to enabl…

Whenever the acquisition of real property for a program undertaken by the State or any other public or private entity subject to the Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, PL 91-646 and 100-17, Title IV, as amended, referred to i…

Except where the context otherwise requires or as expressly set forth in this chapter, all terms used in this chapter shall have the same definitions as are set forth in the Federal Uniform Relocation Act. The term "State" shall include every agency, department and political subd…

Nothing in this chapter may be construed as creating in any condemnation proceeding brought under the power of eminent domain any element of value or of damage not in existence immediately prior to April 2, 1989. [PL 1989, c. 40, §§3, 5 (AMD).] The requirement by the State to be …

The head of each department and agency subject to this chapter may issue guidelines and procedures and promulgate rules as necessary or appropriate to carry out this chapter.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a policy for the treatment of persons displaced as a result of public use programs, funded in whole or in part by public entities, for persons to whom no assistance is available under federal law or any other provisions of state law.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1981, c. 494 (NEW).] 1. Displaced person. "Displaced person" means any individual or entity who moves from a dwelling or place of business as a result of the acqu…

1. Written offer; terms. Within 14 days after the acquisition of real property by a public entity or any person covered by the terms of this chapter and not less than 30 days prior to the date upon which the dwelling or place of business must be vacated, the public entity acquiri…

Persons who are qualified to receive relocation benefits under chapter 23 and the United States Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, Public Law 91-646, are not eligible for benefits under this chapter.

It is essential under the American system of representative government that the people have faith and confidence in the integrity of the election process and the members of the Legislature. In order to strengthen this faith and confidence that the election process reflects the wi…

1. Membership. 1-A. Membership. The Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, established by Title 5, section 12004‑G, subsection 33 and referred to in this chapter as the "commission," consists of 5 members appointed as follows. A. By December 1, 2001 and as need…

1. Procedures, rules and regulations. The commission shall adopt such procedures, rules and regulations as may appear necessary for the orderly, prompt, fair and efficient carrying out of its duties, consistent with this chapter. 2. Records. Except as provided in section 1013, al…

The commission shall meet on the call of the Speaker of the House or the President of the Senate to perform the duties required of it or as specifically provided in this chapter. The commission shall also meet at other times at the call of the chair or at the call of a majority o…

Notwithstanding chapter 13 and except as provided in section 1013, subsection 3‑A, all meetings, hearings or sessions of the commission are open to the general public unless, by an affirmative vote of at least 3 members, the commission requires the exclusion of the public.

The commission may call for the aid or assistance in the performance of its duties on the Attorney General, Secretary of State, Office of the State Auditor or any law enforcement agency in this State. When called upon, these agencies shall comply to the utmost of their ability.

The commission shall submit to the Legislature and the public an annual report discussing its activities under this chapter and any changes it considers necessary or appropriate regarding ethical standards.

The general duties of the commission shall be: [PL 1975, c. 621, §1 (NEW).] 1. Legislative ethics. To investigate and make advisory recommendations to the appropriate body of any apparent violations of legislative ethics; 2. Election practices. To administer and investigate any v…

Following a general election, the commission may solicit suggestions for improving campaign financing and reporting and the administration of the other areas within the commission's jurisdiction. The commission shall review the suggestions and may submit legislation within 90 day…

The Maine Legislature enjoys a high reputation for progressive accomplishment. The vast majority of its members are public officers of integrity and dedication, seeking at all times to maintain high standards of ethical conduct. [PL 1975, c. 621, §1 (NEW).] The public interest is…

As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1989, c. 561, §4 (RPR).] 1. Close economic association. "Close economic association" means the employers, employees, partners or clients of the Legislator or a…

1. Authority. The commission has authority: A. To issue, on request of any Legislator on an issue involving that Legislator, or on its own motion, written advisory opinions and guidance on problems or questions involving possible violations of legislative ethics; [PL 2007, c. 642…

1. Situations involving conflict of interest. A Legislator engages in a violation of legislative ethics if that Legislator votes on a question in connection with a conflict of interest in committee or in either body of the Legislature or attempts to influence the outcome of that …

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Contribution" has the same meaning as in Title 21‑A, section 1012, subsection 2 and includes seed money contributions as defined in Title 21‑A, se…

A candidate, as defined in Title 21‑A, section 1, subsection 5, for the Legislature who is not required to file a report under section 1016‑G shall file a report containing the same information required of Legislators under section 1016‑G no later than 5 p.m. on August 15th prece…

When a Legislator or associated organization bids on a contract with a state governmental agency, the Legislator or associated organization shall file a statement with the commission no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day the bid is submitted that discloses the subject of the bid and…

Each Legislator shall annually file with the commission a statement identifying the sources of income received, positions held and reportable liabilities incurred during the preceding calendar year by the Legislator or members of the Legislator's immediate family. A Legislator wh…

A person who files a false charge of a conflict of interest with the commission or a member of the commission that the person does not believe to be true, or a person who induces another to file a false charge of a conflict of interest that the person does not believe to be true,…

It is not a conflict of interest for a Legislator to serve on a public board, authority or commission created by the Legislature so long as a consideration is not paid to the Legislator other than the Legislator's actual expenses.

The Legislature shall adopt, publish, maintain and implement, as authorized in the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 4, disciplinary guidelines and procedures for Legislators, including the violations of ethical standards, penalties of reprimand, censure or e…

The Legislature by Joint Rule shall adopt and publish a code of ethics for Legislators and legislative employees.

1. Actions precluded beginning with the 127th Legislature. 1-A. Actions precluded beginning with the 130th Legislature. Beginning with the convening of the 130th Legislature, a person who has served as a Legislator may not engage in compensated lobbying until one year after that …

1. Definitions. As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Commission" means the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices. [IB 2015, c. 1, §1 (NEW).] B. "Election cycle" means the period…

For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following words shall have the following meanings: [PL 1979, c. 541, Pt. A, §5 (AMD).] 1. Offensive name. "Offensive name" means a name of a place that includes: A. The designation "nigger" or "squaw" o…

1. Place in State may not have offensive name. A place in this State may not have or be given an offensive name. 2. Sign on interstate highway or Maine Turnpike may not contain offensive name. A sign placed by the State on an interstate highway or the Maine Turnpike may not conta…

Any person who believes that a place has an offensive name may file a complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission. Any such complaint filed with this commission shall be subject to the provisions included in Title 5, section 4632.

The municipal officers of the municipality or the county commissioners responsible for the unorganized territory, in which a place is found pursuant to Title 5, section 4632, to have an offensive name, shall have the following responsibilities: [PL 1977, c. 259, §1 (NEW).] 1. Rea…

When the Joint Tribal Council of the Passamaquoddy Tribe changes the name of a geographic feature within its Indian territory, the State shall assist the Passamaquoddy Tribe in notifying the necessary entities, including the United States Board on Geographic Names, to accomplish …

The following statutory provisions are repealed on the dates set forth in this section. [PL 1977, c. 492, §1 (NEW); PL 1977, c. 547, §1 (NEW).] 4. Title 4. A. Title 4, section 181 shall be repealed on November 1, 1986. [PL 1985, c. 368, §1 (AMD).] 10. Title 10. 15. Title 15. A. T…

Any legislative committee having jurisdiction over a statutory provision listed in section 2501 shall prepare and submit to the Legislature, within 30 legislative days after the convening of the last regular session prior to the date set out in section 2501 for repeal of that pro…

A report prepared pursuant to section 2502 shall include: [PL 1977, c. 492, §1 (NEW); PL 1977, c. 547, §1 (NEW).] 1. Past effectiveness. An evaluation of the past effectiveness of the statutory provision; 2. Future need. An evaluation of the future need for the statutory provisio…

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2013, c. 110, §1 (NEW).] 1. Agency. "Agency" has the same meaning as in Title 3, section 953, subsection 1. 2. Committee of jurisdiction. "Committee of jurisdicti…

The Office of the Revisor of Statutes and the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis, referred to in this section as "the offices," shall review each program evaluation report submitted to the Legislature under Title 3, chapter 35, and any legislation recommended by a committee of j…

During the first regular session of the Legislature following submission of a report pursuant to section 2702, each joint standing committee of the Legislature that receives a report pursuant to section 2702 shall review the report and shall make recommendations to the joint stan…