5 M.R.S. § 18310 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 425 / Section 18310
5 §18310. Police officers
Status: in_force

1. Contribution rate. Except as provided in subsections 2 and 3 , each police officer, including the chief of a police department, employed by a participating local district that provides a special retirement benefit under section 18453, subsection 7 or 8 , shall contribute to the Participating Local District Retirement Program or have pick-up contributions made by the employer at a rate of 8% of earnable compensation as long as employed as a police officer. [PL 2013, c. 391, §4 (AMD).]

2. Exception. A participating local district may elect to reduce the rate of contribution set out in subsection 1 to 6.5% of earnable compensation for all police officers who continue employment after attaining eligibility for retirement during the remainder of their employment as police officers. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]

3. Member contributions to Participating Local District Consolidated Retirement Plan. The board may establish by rule the rate at which police officers who participate in the consolidated plan described in chapter 427 contribute to that plan. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules pursuant to chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2013, c. 391, §5 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 7030-F — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 17 / Chapter 371-A / Section 7030-F
5 §7030-F. Staff support
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State shall provide staffing support as required. [PL 2009, c. 191, §1 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 1710-G — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 151-B / Section 1710-G
5 §1710-G. Use of revenue forecasts
Status: in_force

The State Budget Officer shall use the revenue projections recommended by the committee in setting revenue estimates in accordance with section 1665, subsection 3 . The State Budget Officer shall use the revenue projections of the committee in preparing General Fund and Highway Fund revenue and expenditure forecasts in accordance with section 1664 and section 1665, subsection 7 . If new information becomes available and the State Budget Officer wishes to recommend an adjustment to the revenue projections already recommended by the committee, the State Budget Officer shall convene a meeting of the committee as soon as practicable so that the committee may review any new data and make any additional recommendations it feels necessary. [PL 1997, c. 655, §5 (AMD).]

No later than October 1st of each even-numbered year the commission and committee shall jointly issue a report to the Governor, the Legislative Council and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs that uses the alternative economic scenarios recommended by the commission in accordance with section 1710‑A, subsection 4 . The report must include analyses and findings that detail the stress impact such potential economic recession scenarios would have on the current General Fund revenue projections of sales and income tax revenues. The report must include an analysis of the sufficiency of the current level of the Maine Budget Stabilization Fund and an estimate of the reserves in the Maine Budget Stabilization Fund necessary to offset the declines in revenue as a result of potential economic recessions of varying levels of severity. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. N, §4 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 18542 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 425 / Section 18542
5 §18542. Disability under formerly available disability plans after October 16, 1992
Status: in_force

In the case of a participating local district having a Participating Local District Retirement Program disability plan other than that provided by article 3 or 3‑A , which plan is in force on October 15, 1992, the following provisions apply on and after October 16, 1992: [PL 2007, c. 491, §248 (AMD).]

1. Eligibility. A member who is an employee of the district who applies for a disability retirement benefit after the effective date of the member's election to be covered under the plan as amended to meet the requirements of the federal Older Workers Benefit Protection Act is eligible to apply regardless of the member's age at time of application; [PL 1991, c. 887, §19 (NEW).]

2. Ordinary disability allowance. In the case of ordinary disability under such a plan, the disability retirement allowance must be calculated as provided under the plan except that until July 1, 1996 the amount of the retirement allowance may not exceed 59% of the member's average final compensation at the time of disability retirement; and [PL 1993, c. 595, §13 (AMD).]

3. Occupational disability allowance. In the case of occupational disability under such a plan, the disability retirement allowance is, until July 1, 1996, equal to 59% of the member's average final compensation at the time of disability retirement. [PL 1993, c. 595, §13 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 3201 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 8 / Chapter 310-B / Section 3201
5 §3201. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. DD, §2 (NEW).]

1. Director. "Director" means the Director of the Maine Office of Community Affairs appointed pursuant to section 3203 . [PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. DD, §2 (NEW).]

1-A. Growth management program. "Growth management program" has the same meaning as in Title 30‑A, section 4301, subsection 9 . [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §3 (NEW).]

1-B. Growth-related capital investment. "Growth-related capital investment" has the same meaning as in Title 30‑A, section 4301, subsection 5‑B . [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §4 (NEW).]

1-C. Multimunicipal region. "Multimunicipal region" has the same meaning as in Title 30‑A, section 4301, subsection 11‑A . [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §5 (NEW).]

2. Office. "Office" means the Maine Office of Community Affairs established by section 3202 . [PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. DD, §2 (NEW).]

3. Regional council. "Regional council" has the same meaning as in Title 30‑A, section 4301, subsection 14 . [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §6 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 87 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 1 / Chapter 5 / Section 87
5 §87. Fees payable by public officers
Status: in_force

A fee of $50 must be paid to the Secretary of State by a person appointed to the office of notary public, commissioner to take depositions and disclosures, disclosure commissioner or commissioner appointed under Title 33, section 251 , before the person enters upon the discharge of official duties. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. FF, §1 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 1996 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 163 / Section 1996
5 §1996. Priority of responsibilities
Status: in_force

The activities authorized under this subchapter do not take priority over the primary responsibilities of the Office of Information Technology. If there are not sufficient financial or personnel resources for the Office of Geographic Information Systems to perform certain GIS services and deliver GIS data and products as provided in this subchapter, the administrative management functions related to the Office of Geographic Information Systems, technical support for other state agency GIS users, office equipment maintenance and GIS data base management must take precedence. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 1515 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 141 / Section 1515
5 §1515. Corporate Income Tax Investment Credit Fund
Status: in_force

1. Corporate Income Tax Investment Credit Fund. There is established a Corporate Income Tax Investment Credit Fund for the purpose of reserving the money appropriated to it awaiting transfer to fund a one-time tax credit for corporate investments in new, used or leased tangible personal property which is placed in service in Maine during the 1989 calendar year and is directly related to the production of goods and services. [PL 1987, c. 876, §2 (NEW).]

2. Enactment of credit. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over taxation shall develop the specific provisions of the tax credit. The committee shall report its findings and any recommended legislation to the First Regular Session of the 114th Legislature. This program shall be finalized by April 30, 1989. [PL 1987, c. 876, §2 (NEW).]

3. Carry-forward. [PL 1989, c. 501, Pt. P, §10 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 530, §1 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 702, Pt. E, §2 (RP).]
5 M.R.S. § 3360-H — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 9 / Chapter 316-A / Section 3360-H
5 §3360-H. Victims' Compensation Fund
Status: in_force

There is created a special fund, known as the "Victims' Compensation Fund," for the purpose of providing for the payment of claims arising under this chapter and for the payment of all necessary and proper expenses incurred by the board. The Attorney General shall administer the fund. [PL 1991, c. 806, §3 (NEW).]

All administrative costs of the board must be paid out of money collected pursuant to section 3360‑I and deposited in the Victims' Compensation Fund. The fund may receive private donations, federal funds and state funds designated by law that may be used for the payment of claims and for administrative costs. [PL 1997, c. 378, §11 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 3341 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 8 / Chapter 314 / Section 3341
5 §3341. Land use mediation program
Status: in_force

1. Program established. The land use mediation program is established to provide eligible private landowners with a prompt, independent, inexpensive and local forum for mediation of governmental land use actions as an alternative to court action. [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).]

2. Provision of mediation services; forms, filing and fees. The Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Service created in Title 4, section 18‑B shall provide mediation services under this subchapter. The Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Service shall: A. Assign mediators under this subchapter who are knowledgeable in land use regulatory issues and environmental law; [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).] B. Establish a simple and expedient application process; and [PL 2013, c. 300, §1 (AMD).] C. Establish a fee for services in an amount not to exceed $175 for every 4 hours of mediation services provided. In addition, the landowner is responsible for the costs of providing notice as required under subsection 7 . [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).] [PL 2013, c. 300, §1 (AMD).]

3. Application; eligibility. A landowner may apply for mediation under this subchapter if that landowner: A. Has suffered significant harm as a result of a governmental action regulating land use; [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).] B. Applies for mediation under subsection 4 within the time allowed under law or rules of the court for filing for judicial review of that governmental action; [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).] C. Has: (1) For mediation of municipal governmental land use action, sought and failed to obtain a permit, variance or special exception and has pursued all reasonable avenues of administrative appeal; or (2) For mediation of state governmental land use action, sought and failed to obtain governmental approval for a land use of that landowner's land and has a right to judicial review under section 11001 either due to a final agency action or the failure or refusal of an agency to act; and [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).] D. Submits to the Superior Court clerk all necessary fees at the time of application. [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).] [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).]

4. Submission of application for mediation. A landowner may apply for mediation under this subchapter by filing an application for mediation with the Superior Court clerk in the county in which the land that is the subject of the conflict is located. The Superior Court clerk shall forward the application to the Court Mediation Service. [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).]

5. Stay of filing period. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the period of time allowed by law or by rules of the court for any person to file for judicial review of the governmental action for which mediation is requested under this subchapter is stayed for 30 days beyond the date the mediator files the report required under subsection 12 with the Superior Court clerk, but in no case longer than 120 days from the date the landowner files the application for mediation with the Superior Court clerk. [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).]

6. Purpose; conduct of mediation. The purpose of a mediation under this subchapter is to facilitate, within existing land use laws, ordinances and regulations, a mutually acceptable solution to a conflict between a landowner and a governmental entity regulating land use. The mediator, whenever possible and appropriate, shall conduct the mediation in the county in which the land that is the subject of the conflict is located. When mediating that solution, the mediator shall balance the need for public access to proceedings with the flexibility, discretion and private caucus techniques required for effective mediation. [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).]

7. Schedule; notice; participants. The mediator is responsible for scheduling all mediation sessions. The mediator shall provide a list of the names and addresses and a copy of the notice of the mediation schedule to the Superior Court clerk, who shall mail the notices. The mediator shall include on the list persons identified in the following ways. A. The landowner and the governmental entity shall provide to the mediator the names and addresses of the parties, intervenors and other persons who significantly participated in the underlying governmental land use action proceedings. [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).] B. Any other person who believes that that person's participation in the mediation is necessary may file a request with the mediator to be included in the mediation. [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).] C. The mediator shall determine if any other person's participation is necessary for effective mediation. [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).] [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).]

8. Parties to mediation. A mediator shall include in the mediation process any person the mediator determines is necessary for effective mediation, including persons representing municipal, county or state agencies and abutters, parties, intervenors or other persons significantly involved in the underlying governmental land use action. A mediator may exclude or limit a person's participation in mediation when the mediator determines that exclusion or limitation necessary for effective mediation. This subsection does not require a municipality to participate in mediation under this subchapter. [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).]

9. Sharing of costs. Participants in the mediation may share the cost of mediation after the initial 4 hours of mediation services have been provided. [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).]

10. Admissibility. The admissibility in court of conduct or statements made during mediation, including offers of settlement, is governed by the Maine Rules of Evidence, Rule 408(a) for matters subsequently heard in a state court and Federal Rules of Evidence, Rule 408 for matters subsequently heard in a federal court. [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).]

11. Agreements. A mediated agreement must be in writing. The landowner, the governmental entity and all other participants who agree must sign the agreement as participants and the mediator must sign as the mediator. A. An agreement that requires any additional governmental action is not self-executing. If any additional governmental action is required, the landowner is responsible for initiating that action and providing any additional information reasonably required by the governmental entity to implement the agreement. The landowner must notify the governmental entity in writing within 30 days, after the mediator files the mediator's report under subsection 12 , that the landowner will be taking action in accordance with the agreement. [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).] B. Notwithstanding any procedural restriction that would otherwise prevent reconsideration of the governmental action, a governmental entity may reconsider its decision in the underlying governmental land use action in accordance with the agreement as long as that reconsideration does not violate any substantive application or review requirement. [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).] [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).]

12. Mediator's report. Within 90 days after the landowner files an application for mediation, the mediator shall file a report with the Superior Court clerk. The mediator shall file the report as soon as possible if the mediator determines that a mediated agreement is not possible. The report must contain: A. The names of the mediation participants, including the landowner, the governmental entity and any other persons; [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).] B. The nature of any agreements reached during the course of mediation, which mediation participants were parties to the agreements and what further action is required of any person; [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).] C. The nature of any issues remaining unresolved and the mediation participants involved in those unresolved issues; and [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).] D. A copy of any written agreement under subsection 11 . [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).] [PL 1995, c. 537, §5 (NEW).]

13. Application. This subchapter applies to final agency actions and failures and refusals to act occurring after July 4, 1996. [RR 1997, c. 2, §14 (COR).]

14. Repeal. [PL 2001, c. 184, §4 (RP).]
5 M.R.S. § 12004-A — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18 / Chapter 379 / Section 12004-A
5 §12004-A. Occupational and professional licensing boards
Status: in_force

The primary responsibilities of occupational and professional licensing boards include the examination of applicants, issuance of licenses or certificates, registration of licenses and rules of licensees with respect to the practice of a particular occupation or profession. The primary powers of these boards include the authority to hold hearings, adopt rules, establish standards and procedures, issue licenses and initiate action for the revocation or suspension of occupational or professional licenses. [PL 1987, c. 786, §5 (NEW).]

For purposes of any occupational or professional licensing boards which have a public member or members, "public member" means a person who has no financial interest in the profession regulated by the board to which that member has been appointed and who has never been licensed, certified or given a permit in this or any other state for the occupation or profession that member is appointed to regulate. [PL 1991, c. 286 (AMD).]

This classification includes the following. [PL 1987, c. 786, §5 (NEW).]

NAME OF ORGANIZATION RATE OF COMPENSATION STATUTORY REFERENCE

1. Board of Accountancy $35/Day 32 MRSA §12213 [RR 2017, c. 2, §1 (COR).]

2. Arborist Examining Board [PL 1999, c. 84, §1 (RP).]

3. Acupuncture Licensing Board [PL 1995, c. 671, §4 (RP).]

4. Maine State Board for Licensure of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers $35/Day 32 MRSA §211 [PL 1993, c. 389, §2 (AMD).]

5. Board of Licensing of Auctioneers $35/Day 32 MRSA §288 [PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]

5-A. Board of Bar Examiners Set by Supreme Judicial Court 4 MRSA §801 [PL 1993, c. 381, §1 (NEW).]

6. Board of Barbering and Cosmetology [PL 2009, c. 369, Pt. A, §3 (RP).]

7. Board of Boilers and Pressure Vessels [PL 2013, c. 70, Pt. A, §1 (RP).]

8. Board of Chiropractic Licensure $35/Day 32 MRSA §501 [PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]

8-A. Board of Complementary Health Care Providers $35/Day 32 MRSA §12502 [PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]

9. State Board of Cosmetology [PL 1991, c. 397, §2 (RP).]

9-A. Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure [PL 1989, c. 878, Pt. D, §3 (AMD); MRSA T. 5 §12004-A, sub-§9-A (RP).]

9-B. Board of Real Estate Appraisers $35/Day 32 MRSA §14011 [PL 1999, c. 185, §1 (AMD).]

9-C. Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure $35/Day 32 MRSA §13852 [PL 1999, c. 790, Pt. D, §5 (NEW).]

10. Board of Dental Practice Legislative per diem board and subcommittee members 32 MRSA §18321 [PL 2015, c. 429, §1 (RPR).]

11. Board of Licensing of Dietetic Practice $35/Day 32 MRSA §9903 [PL 1989, c. 878, Pt. B, §4 (AMD).]

12. Board of Driver Education [PL 1995, c. 505, §3 (RP); PL 1995, c. 505, §22 (AFF).]

13. Electricians' Examining Board $35/Day 32 MRSA §1151 [PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]

14. Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety [PL 2013, c. 70, Pt. A, §2 (RP).]

15. Emergency Medical Services' Board $20/Day 32 MRSA §88 [PL 1989, c. 503, Pt. A, §3 (AMD).]

15-A. Emergency Medical Services Licensing Board $20/Day 32 MRSA §84 [PL 2025, c. 491, §1 (NEW).]

16. State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers $35/Day 32 MRSA §1301 [PL 2005, c. 315, §1 (AMD).]

17. Board of Licensure of Foresters $35/Day 32 MRSA §5505 [PL 2001, c. 261, §1 (AMD).]

18. State Board of Funeral Service $35/Day 32 MRSA §1451 [PL 1989, c. 450, §2 (AMD).]

19. State Board of Licensure for Geologists and Soil Scientists $35/Day 32 MRSA §4907 [PL 2019, c. 285, §1 (AMD).]

20. Board of Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters [PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. A, §3 (RP); PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §5 (AFF).]

21. Board of Licensure for Professional Land Surveyors $35/Day 32 MRSA §18211 [PL 2013, c. 180, §1 (AMD); PL 2013, c. 180, §6 (AFF).]

22. Manufactured Housing Board $35/Day 10 MRSA §9003 [PL 1987, c. 786, §5 (NEW).]

23. Nursing Home Administrators Licensing Board $35/Day 32 MRSA §63‑A [PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]

24. Board of Licensure in Medicine $1,250/Year-Member $1,500/Year-Chair $7,500/Year-Secretary 32 MRSA §3263 [PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]

25. State Board of Nursing Legislative Per Diem 32 MRSA §2151 [PL 1987, c. 786, §5 (NEW).]

26. Board of Occupational Therapy Practice $35/Day 32 MRSA §2273 [PL 1989, c. 450, §2 (AMD).]

27. Oil and Solid Fuel Board [PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. A, §1 (RP); PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

28. State Board of Optometry $35/Day 32 MRSA §19201 [PL 2023, c. 580, §1 (AMD).]

29. Board of Osteopathic Licensure Legislative Per Diem 32 MRSA §2561 [PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]

30. Board of Commissioners of the Profession of Pharmacy [PL 1997, c. 245, §1 (RP).]

30-A. Maine Board of Pharmacy $35/Day 32 MRSA §13711 [PL 1997, c. 245, §2 (NEW).]

31. Board of Examiners in Physical Therapy $35/Day 32 MRSA §3112 [PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]

32. Plumbers' Examining Board $35/Day 32 MRSA §3401 [PL 1987, c. 786, §5 (NEW).]

33. Board of Licensure of Podiatric Medicine $35/Day 32 MRSA §3601 [PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]

33-A. Propane and Natural Gas Board [PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. A, §2 (RP); PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

34. State Board of Examiners of Psychologists $35/Day 32 MRSA §3821 [PL 1987, c. 786, §5 (NEW).]

35. Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners $35/Day 32 MRSA §9703 [PL 1987, c. 786, §5 (NEW).]

36. Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners $35/Day 32 MRSA §9853 [PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]

37. Real Estate Commission $35/Day 32 MRSA §13062 [PL 1987, c. 786, §5 (NEW).]

38. State Board of Social Worker Licensure $35/Day 32 MRSA §7026 [PL 1989, c. 450, §2 (AMD).]

39. Board of Examiners on Speech-language Pathology and Audiology [PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. A, §4 (RP); PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. C, §5 (AFF).]

40. Maine Pilotage Commission Not Authorized 38 MRSA §89 [PL 1999, c. 355, §1 (AMD).]

41. State Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors $35/Day 32 MRSA §6201 [PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]

42. State Board of Veterinary Medicine $35/Day 32 MRSA §4854 [PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]

43. Board of Underground Oil Storage Tank Installers Expenses Only 32 MRSA §10001 [PL 1987, c. 786, §5 (NEW).]

44. Maine Athletic Commission [PL 2007, c. 621, §1 (RP).]

45. Board of Licensure of Railroad Personnel [PL 1993, c. 428, §1 (RP).]

46. Board of Licensure of Water System Operators Expenses Only 22 MRSA §2624‑A [PL 2003, c. 33, §1 (AMD).]

47. Gambling Control Board $55/Day 8 MRSA §1002 [PL 2005, c. 663, §1 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 663, §17 (AFF).]

48. Board of Speech, Audiology and Hearing $35/Day 32 MRSA §17201 [PL 2011, c. 286, Pt. O, §2 (AMD).]

49. Maine Fuel Board $35/Day 32 MRSA §18121 [PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
5 M.R.S. § 3223 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 8 / Chapter 310-B / Section 3223
5 §3223. Floodplain management
Status: in_force

The floodplain management program is established within the office. The office shall serve as the state coordinating agency for the National Flood Insurance Program pursuant to 44 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 60 and in that capacity shall oversee delivery of technical assistance and resources to municipalities for the purpose of floodplain management activities and shall administer the State Floodplain Mapping Fund under section 3224 . [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §11 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 1554 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 144 / Section 1554
5 §1554. Payment of late fees
Status: in_force

In the event that a proper invoice is not paid within 25 working days after receipt of the invoice, or within 15 days following another date agreed to by the state agency and the business concern, the agency shall be liable to pay a reasonable late fee that shall not exceed the normal late charge that the business concern levies on the amount due on the invoice. [PL 1983, c. 655 (NEW).]

In the event that federal moneys are the budgeted source of funds for payment to business concerns for state agency purchases of goods, property or services, and these moneys are unexpectedly withheld and delayed from reaching the State in time to pay proper invoices without incurring a late fee, the state agency which made the purchases and the State of Maine shall not be liable for any late fees on overdue payments. [PL 1983, c. 655 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 4593 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 12 / Chapter 337 / Section 4593
5 §4593. Standards for facilities constructed or altered between September 1, 1974 and January 1, 1982
Status: in_force

1. Public accommodations. For any building or facility constructed specifically as a place of public accommodation on or after September 1, 1974 but before January 1, 1982, or when the estimated total costs for remodeling or enlarging an existing building exceed $250,000 and the remodeling or enlarging is begun before January 1, 1982, the following standards of construction must be met. A. There must be at least one public walk not less than 40 inches wide with a slope not greater than one foot rise in 12 feet leading directly to a primary entrance. However, after April 1, 1977, the public walk must be not less than 48 inches wide. [PL 1991, c. 99, §23 (AMD).] B. There must be a door at the primary entrance with a clear opening of not less than 32 inches and operable by a single effort. If doors at a primary entrance are in a series, they must have a space between them of not less than 84 inches measured from their closed positions; and each must open in the same direction so that swings do not conflict. [PL 1991, c. 99, §23 (AMD).] C. Rest room facilities must have at least one stall that is not less than 4 feet wide, 5 feet in depth, a 32-inch wide door that swings out or slides, handrails on each side mounted 33 inches from the floor, and a water closet with a seat 20 inches high. [PL 1991, c. 99, §23 (AMD).] D. Doors that are not intended for normal use and that are dangerous if a blind person were to enter or exit by them must be made identifiable to touch by knurling the handle or knob. [PL 2011, c. 322, §1 (AMD).] E. There must be parking spaces designated for persons with physical disability set aside in adequate number and clearly marked for use only by the disabled. Set aside in adequate number means that, for every 25 parking spaces made available to the public on a public or private parking lot, at least one of those spaces must be made available in an appropriate location for parking exclusively used by persons with physical disability. [PL 1991, c. 99, §23 (AMD).] In any building designed and constructed specifically for public accommodations, the bathroom facilities and all accompanying fixtures must be arranged to permit access and use by a person in a wheelchair in at least 1% of the living units. The units must be constructed on ground level and must comply with paragraph C . [PL 2011, c. 322, §1 (AMD).]

2. Places of employment. For any building or facility constructed specifically as a place of employment on or after September 1, 1974 but before January 1, 1982, or when the estimated total costs for remodeling or enlarging an existing building exceed $100,000 and the remodeling or enlarging is begun before January 1, 1982, the public accommodation provisions relating to walks, entries, rest room facilities and doors apply. [PL 2011, c. 322, §1 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 7030-C — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 17 / Chapter 371-A / Section 7030-C
5 §7030-C. Chair
Status: in_force

The Governor shall select from among the members of the commission a chair. The chair is authorized to appoint subcommittees. [PL 2013, c. 104, §1 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 17808 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 423 / Section 17808
5 §17808. Payment from certain funds
Status: in_force

All benefits payable under this chapter must be paid from the Retirement Allowance Fund, except those payable from the Members' Contribution Fund or as specifically provided in this chapter. [PL 2007, c. 249, §26 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 18527 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 425 / Section 18527
5 §18527. Rehabilitation
Status: in_force

Upon agreement of the chief executive officer and the person, rehabilitation services may be provided to any person who is the recipient of a disability retirement benefit under this article as a means to the person being able to return to substantially gainful activity. As a condition of entering into an agreement to provide rehabilitation services, the chief executive officer must determine that rehabilitation is feasible, that rehabilitation is consistent with the purposes of this article, that the recipient is suitable for rehabilitation services and that rehabilitation services are likely to lead to substantially gainful activity. Services must be provided by private and public rehabilitation counselors, government agencies and others approved by the chief executive officer as qualified to provide rehabilitation services. The chief executive officer shall consider a rehabilitation counselor's rate of successfully placing rehabilitated employees in jobs relative to the placement rates of other counselors in the State as fundamental in deciding whether to approve the counselor as qualified. This section does not affect the ongoing requirement that a person remain disabled in order to continue to receive disability benefits. [PL 2021, c. 277, §37 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 277, §45 (AFF); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).]

For the purposes of this section, "person" means any person who is the recipient of a disability retirement benefit. [PL 2003, c. 387, §11 (NEW).]

1. Rehabilitation plan. If the chief executive officer makes the determinations necessary to provide rehabilitation services under this section and rehabilitation is agreed to by the parties, the retirement system shall designate a rehabilitation provider to evaluate the person and develop a rehabilitation plan. [PL 2003, c. 387, §11 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).]

2. Costs. The chief executive officer may contract with rehabilitation providers to develop and carry out approved rehabilitation plans. A. Except as provided in paragraph B , the chief executive officer shall pay these providers from funds accumulated in the Retirement Allowance Fund, established under section 17251 . [PL 2003, c. 387, §11 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).] B. If the person is entitled to other benefits to meet the cost of rehabilitation services, that person must first apply for and use those benefits to the extent available to pay for the goods and services provided. [PL 1989, c. 409, §§11, 12 (NEW).] [PL 2003, c. 387, §11 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).]

3. Approval of rehabilitation plan. The chief executive officer and the person shall approve any rehabilitation plan developed under subsection 1 and shall indicate in writing their approval of and agreement to the rehabilitation plan. The person shall approve the plan within 30 days or, within that time period, submit to the chief executive officer the name of an alternate provider for the chief executive officer's consideration. If the rehabilitation plan includes return to employment with the employer for whom the person worked before becoming disabled, the employer shall also indicate in writing approval of the plan. [PL 2003, c. 387, §11 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).]

4. Decline of rehabilitation. [PL 2003, c. 387, §11 (RP).]

5. Monitoring of rehabilitation plan. Each rehabilitation plan approved by the chief executive officer shall contain a provision for periodic review of progress being made by the person toward achieving the goal of the plan and substantially gainful activity. The provision relating to review must include authority for the chief executive officer to terminate the plan or to amend the plan with the same provider or with a change of provider, based upon results of the review or at the request of the person or the provider. Subsections 1 , 2 and 3 apply to any amended plans under this subsection. A person is entitled to a single rehabilitation plan during the course of the person's incapacity, except when the person demonstrates that a termination of the plan was reasonable and for good cause. Any entitlement to amend a rehabilitation plan or establish a new plan ends with a determination by the chief executive officer that the person is no longer disabled. [PL 2003, c. 387, §11 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).]

6. Return to service. If the rehabilitation plan includes return to employment with the person's former employer, that person must be reemployed in accordance with the plan. The chief executive officer shall notify the former employer, in writing, that the person has completed the rehabilitation plan and is ready to return to employment. The former employer shall reemploy the person in the first available position for which that person is qualified, taking into consideration that person's prior compensation and benefits, training, education and experience, including training and education received under that person's rehabilitation plan. [PL 2003, c. 387, §11 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).]

7. Other employment under system. A person is not required to accept employment that reasonably necessitates relocation or for which the person is not qualified, taking into consideration that person's prior compensation and benefits, training, education and experience, including training and education received under that person's rehabilitation plan. The disability retirement benefit may not be discontinued except as provided by section 18529 or until the person is reemployed consistent with this section. [PL 2003, c. 387, §11 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 2028 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 164 / Section 2028
5 §2028. Waiver of prohibitions; executive branch
Status: in_force

Upon written request from a state agency, the Chief Information Officer may waive the prohibitions imposed in sections 2023 and 2024 as long as the waiver does not pose a national security risk or a risk to the security and safety of persons of the United States. [PL 2023, c. 681, §1 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 9064 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18 / Chapter 375 / Section 9064
5 §9064. Enforcement
Status: in_force

The agency shall be entitled to enforce its order in the courts by way of injunction or other appropriate legal remedy. [PL 1977, c. 551, §3 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 8072 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18 / Chapter 375 / Section 8072
5 §8072. Legislative review of major substantive rules
Status: in_force

As provided in section 8071 , major substantive rules are subject to an increased level of rule-making requirements. The rule-making requirements of subchapter II for routine technical rules apply to the adoption of major substantive rules, except that the 120-day period for adoption and the 150-day period for approval as to form and legality under section 8052, subsection 7, paragraphs A and B apply to provisional adoption of major substantive rules, not final adoption. In addition to the other rule-making requirements, every major substantive rule is also subject to legislative review as provided in this section. [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).]

1. Preliminary adoption of major substantive rules. An agency proposing a major substantive rule other than an emergency rule, after filing the notice of proposed rulemaking required by section 8052 , shall proceed with rule-making procedures to the point of, but not including, final adoption. At that point, known in this section as "provisional adoption," the agency shall file the provisionally adopted rule and related materials with the Secretary of State as provided in section 8056, subsection 1, paragraph B and submit the rule to the Legislature for review and authorization for final adoption as provided in this section. The rule has legal effect only after review by the Legislature followed by final adoption by the agency. [PL 1997, c. 196, §2 (AMD).]

2. Submission of materials. At the time an agency provisionally adopts a rule, the agency shall submit to the Executive Director of the Legislative Council 20 copies of: A. The full text of the rule provisionally adopted by the agency with new language underlined and with language to be deleted from any existing rule stricken through but clearly legible; [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).] B. A concise summary of the content of the rule and a description and a copy of any existing rule the agency proposes to amend or repeal; [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).] C. A statement of the circumstances that require the rule; [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).] D. A statement of the economic impact of the rule on the State and its residents; and [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).] E. Any other information required by law. [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).] [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).]

3. Legislative review; legislative instrument prepared. If the required copies of the provisionally adopted rule and related information are received by the Executive Director of the Legislative Council during the legislative rule acceptance period, the Executive Director shall notify the Revisor of Statutes, who shall draft an appropriate legislative instrument to allow for legislative review and action upon the provisionally adopted rule during the legislative review session. The Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House shall place the legislative instrument on the Advance Journal and Calendar. The secretary and clerk shall jointly suggest reference of the legislative instrument to a joint standing committee of the Legislature that has jurisdiction over the subject matter of the proposed rule and shall provide for publication of that suggestion in the Advance Journal and Calendar first in the Senate and then in the House of Representatives no later than the next legislative day following receipt of the legislative instrument. After floor action on referral of the legislative instrument to committee is completed, the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall send copies of the rule and related information to each member of that committee. Each rule submitted for legislative review during the legislative rule acceptance period must be reviewed by the appropriate joint standing committee at a meeting called for that purpose in accordance with legislative rules. A committee may review more than one rule and the rules of more than one agency at a meeting. The committee shall notify the affected agency of the meeting on its proposed rules. [PL 2011, c. 244, §4 (AMD).]

4. Committee review. The committee shall review each provisionally adopted rule and, in its discretion, may hold public hearings on that rule. A public hearing under this subsection must be advertised in the same manner as required by legislative rules then in effect for advertisement of public hearings on proposed legislation. The committee's review must include, but is not limited to, a determination of: A. Whether the agency has exceeded the scope of its statutory authority in approving the provisionally adopted rule; [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).] B. Whether the provisionally adopted rule is in conformity with the legislative intent of the statute the rule is intended to implement, extend, apply, interpret or make specific; [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).] C. Whether the provisionally adopted rule conflicts with any other provision of law or with any other rule adopted by the same or a different agency; [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).] D. Whether the provisionally adopted rule is necessary to fully accomplish the objectives of the statute under which the rule was proposed; [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).] E. Whether the provisionally adopted rule is reasonable, especially as it affects the convenience of the general public or of persons particularly affected by it; [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).] F. Whether the provisionally adopted rule could be made less complex or more readily understandable for the general public; [PL 1995, c. 537, §7 (AMD).] G. Whether the provisionally adopted rule was proposed in compliance with the requirements of this chapter and with requirements imposed by any other provision of law; and [PL 1995, c. 537, §7 (AMD).] H. For a rule that is reasonably expected to result in a significant reduction in property values, whether sufficient variance provisions exist in law or in the rule to avoid an unconstitutional taking, and whether, as a matter of policy, the expected reduction is necessary or appropriate for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare advanced by the rule. [PL 1995, c. 537, §8 (NEW).] [PL 1995, c. 537, §§7, 8 (AMD).]

5. Committee recommendation. After reviewing a rule referred to it by the Legislature, the committee shall recommend: A. That the Legislature authorize the final adoption of the rule; [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).] B. That the Legislature authorize the final adoption of a specified part of the rule; [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).] C. That the Legislature authorize the final adoption of the rule with certain specified amendments; or [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).] D. That the final adoption of the rule be disapproved by the Legislature. [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).] The committee shall notify the agency proposing the rule of its recommendation. When the committee makes a recommendation under paragraph B , C or D , the notice must contain a statement of the reasons for that recommendation. [PL 2011, c. 244, §5 (AMD).]

6. Draft legislation. [PL 2011, c. 244, §6 (RP).]

7. Report to the Legislature. Unless otherwise provided by the Legislature, each joint standing committee of the Legislature that receives a rule submitted during the legislative rule acceptance period shall report to the Legislature its recommendations concerning final adoption of the rule no later than 30 days before statutory adjournment of the legislative review session as provided in Title 3, section 2 . [PL 2011, c. 244, §7 (AMD).]

8. Final adoption; effective date. Unless otherwise provided by law, final adoption of a rule or part of a rule by an agency must occur within 60 days of the effective date of the legislation approving that rule or part of that rule or of the adjournment of the session in which the Legislature failed to act on the rule or part of the rule as specified in subsection 11 . Finally adopted rules must be filed with the Secretary of State as provided in section 8056, subsection 1, paragraph B and notice must be posted as provided in section 8056, subsection 3 . Except as otherwise specified by law, the rules become effective 30 days after filing with the Secretary of State or at a later date specified by the agency. [PL 2025, c. 384, §22 (AMD).]

9. Consideration at special session. If appropriate, the committee recommendation regarding an agency rule or rules may be submitted to and considered by a special session of the Legislature. [PL 1995, c. 463, §2 (NEW).]

10. Rules submitted outside legislative rule acceptance period. The Legislature may act or decline to act upon any rules submitted outside the legislative rule acceptance period. [PL 2011, c. 244, §9 (NEW).]

11. Prohibited final adoption. A provisionally adopted rule or part of a provisionally adopted rule may not be finally adopted by an agency unless: A. Legislation authorizing adoption of the rule or part of the rule is enacted into law; or [PL 2011, c. 244, §10 (NEW).] B. The agency submits the rule or part of the rule in accordance with this section during the legislative rule acceptance period and the Legislature fails to act on the rule or part of the rule. [PL 2011, c. 244, §10 (NEW).] For purposes of this subsection, the Legislature fails to act on a rule or part of a rule if the Legislature fails to enact legislation authorizing adoption or disapproving adoption of the rule or part of the rule during the legislative review session or during any subsequent session to which a legislative instrument expressly providing for approval or disapproval of the rule or part of the rule is carried over. Nothing in this section requires the Legislature to use the legislative instrument produced pursuant to subsection 3 to approve or disapprove of a rule or part of a rule. [PL 2011, c. 244, §10 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 203-B — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 1 / Chapter 9 / Section 203-B
5 §203-B. Funds received pursuant to court orders or other settlements of opioid crisis litigation
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding section 203‑A and unless specifically ordered by the court to do otherwise, the Attorney General may work with the Treasurer of State to deposit identified revenue or money received as a result of any court order or other agreement resulting from litigation against, or any court settlement with, an opioid manufacturer, an opioid research association or any other person in the opioid industry relating to claims made by or prosecuted by the State into the Maine Recovery Fund for spending on approved uses as directed by the Maine Recovery Council as established in section 12004‑I, subsection 94 . As used in this section, "approved uses" and "Maine Recovery Fund" have the same meanings as in section 203‑C, subsection 1 . [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. HHHH, §1 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 5303 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 14 / Chapter 341 / Section 5303
5 §5303. Time limit on consideration of prior criminal conviction
Status: in_force

1. Three-year limits. Except as set forth in this subsection and subsection 2 , the procedures outlined in sections 5301 and 5302 for the consideration of prior criminal conviction as an element of fitness to practice a licensed profession, trade or occupation shall apply within 3 years of the applicant's or licensee's final discharge, if any, from the correctional system. Beyond the 3-year period, ex-offender applicants or licensees with no additional convictions are to be considered in the same manner as applicants or licensees possessing no prior criminal record for the purposes of licensing decisions. There is no time limitation for consideration of an applicant's or licensee's conduct which gave rise to the criminal conviction if that conduct is otherwise a ground for disciplinary action against a licensee. [PL 1989, c. 84, §3 (NEW).]

2. Ten-year limits. For applicants to and licensees and registrants of the Board of Licensure in Medicine, the Board of Osteopathic Licensure, the Board of Dental Practice, the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, the State Board of Social Worker Licensure, the State Board of Nursing, the Board of Chiropractic Licensure, the Board of Trustees of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, the State Board of Examiners in Physical Therapy, the State Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors, the Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners, the Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure, the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice, the Board of Speech, Audiology and Hearing, the Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners, the Nursing Home Administrators Licensing Board, the Board of Licensure of Podiatric Medicine, the Board of Complementary Health Care Providers, the Maine Board of Pharmacy and the Emergency Medical Services' Board, for applicants to and licensees of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for growing, processing and transporting hemp and for applicants for massage therapy licensure or licensed massage therapists, the following apply. A. The procedures outlined in sections 5301 and 5302 for the consideration of prior criminal conviction as an element of fitness to practice a licensed profession, trade or occupation apply within 10 years of the applicant's or licensee's final discharge, if any, from the correctional system. [PL 1995, c. 625, Pt. A, §12 (RPR).] B. Beyond the 10-year period, ex-offender applicants or licensees with no additional convictions must be considered in the same manner as applicants or licensees possessing no prior criminal record for the purposes of licensing decisions. [PL 1995, c. 625, Pt. A, §12 (RPR).] C. There is no time limitation for consideration of a registrant's, an applicant's or licensee's conduct that gave rise to the criminal conviction if that conduct is otherwise a ground for disciplinary action. [PL 1995, c. 625, Pt. A, §12 (RPR).] [PL 2021, c. 761, §1 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 8003 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18 / Chapter 375 / Section 8003
5 §8003. Inconsistent provisions
Status: in_force

Except where expressly authorized by statute, any statutory provision now existing or hereafter adopted which is inconsistent with the express provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act shall yield and the applicable provisions of this Act shall govern in its stead. [PL 1977, c. 694, §33 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 24052 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 30 / Chapter 623 / Section 24052
5 §24052. Duties
Status: in_force

1. Duties. The duties of the council include, but are not limited to: A. Reviewing and addressing recommendations of the cabinet regarding young children in the following areas: (1) Early childhood policy implementation to ensure an effective public and private service delivery system and reporting recommendations based upon the review to the cabinet; and (2) The delivery of early childhood services by the departments of the cabinet and recommending improvements to increase efficiencies in the delivery of services; [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).] B. Advising the Department of Health and Human Services regarding: (1) The coordination of child care services in the State; and (2) The preparation of any application, amendment, waiver request, plan or other document submitted by the department to the Federal Government regarding child care funding or other early childhood services grants; [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).] C. Reviewing and commenting on initiatives and plans of the cabinet related to early childhood; [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).] D. Submitting annually to the cabinet and the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs and health and human services matters recommendations for changes to laws and rules to reduce barriers to collaboration and coordination among federally funded and state-funded programs and services for young children and the children's families and to improve the quality of programs and services for young children statewide. Recommendations must include, but are not limited to, methods to: (1) Promote the availability of services and programs for young children and the children's families across the State; (2) Promote innovative programs for young children and the children's families including funding models for early childhood and education programs and services; and (3) Enhance and improve quality and outcomes of early childhood and education programs and services, including child development services, home visitation, child care, education services, supervision services, health services and social services; and [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).] E. Developing and periodically updating a process for evaluating the council's effectiveness in performing the council's duties, including advising the cabinet. [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 450, §11 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 3004 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 7 / Chapter 309 / Section 3004
5 §3004. Status of employees of this State
Status: in_force

Employees of a sending agency participating in an exchange of personnel as authorized in section 3003 may be considered during such participation to be on detail to regular work assignments of the sending agency, or in a status of leave of absence from their positions in the sending agency. [PL 1967, c. 266 (NEW).]

Employees who are on detail shall be entitled to the same salary and benefits to which they would otherwise be entitled and shall remain employees of the sending agency for all other purposes, except that the supervision of their duties during the period of detail may be governed by agreement between the sending agency and the receiving agency. [PL 1967, c. 266 (NEW).]

Employees who are in a leave of absence status shall be carried on leave without pay. They may be granted annual leave or other time off with pay to the extent authorized by law and may be granted authorized sick leave in circumstances considered by the sending agency to justify such leave. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, employees who are in a leave of absence status shall have the same rights, benefits and obligations as employees generally who are in such leave status but notwithstanding any other provision of law such employees may be entitled to credit the period of such assignment toward all regular benefits as employees of the sending agency, such as retirement, seniority, longevity and insurance coverage. [PL 1967, c. 266 (NEW).]

An employee who participates in an exchange under the terms of this section who suffers disability or death as a result of personal injury arising out of and in the course of an exchange, or sustained in performance of duties in connection therewith, must be treated, for the purposes of the sending agency's employee compensation program, as an employee, as defined in such Act, who has sustained such injury in the performance of such duty, but may not receive benefits under that Act for any period for which the employee is entitled to and elects to receive similar benefits under the receiving agency's employee compensation program. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §62 (COR).]
5 M.R.S. § 9063 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18 / Chapter 375 / Section 9063
5 §9063. Bias of presiding officer or agency member
Status: in_force

1. Hearings; impartial. Hearings must be conducted in an impartial manner. Upon the filing in good faith by a party of a timely charge of bias or of personal or financial interest, direct or indirect, of a presiding officer or agency member in the proceeding requesting that the presiding officer or agency member be disqualified, that presiding officer or agency member shall determine the matter as a part of the record. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §84 (COR).]

2. Counsel. Notwithstanding section 9055 , the person involved may consult with private counsel concerning the charge. [PL 1977, c. 551, §3 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 1501 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 141 / Section 1501
5 §1501. Uniform fiscal year
Status: in_force

The fiscal year of the State Government shall commence on the first day of July and end on the 30th day of June each year. The fiscal year shall be followed in making appropriations and in financial reporting, and shall be uniformly adopted by all departments and agencies of the State Government.
5 M.R.S. § 26 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 1 / Chapter 2 / Section 26
5 §26. Nonpartisan legislative staff
Status: in_force

Nonpartisan staff of the Legislature shall be subject to the policies and rules of the Legislative Council as these policies and rules relate to testifying or providing information to legislative committees. [PL 1985, c. 167 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 17751 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 423 / Section 17751
5 §17751. Determination of one-year's service credit
Status: in_force

The determination of one-year's service credit shall be governed as follows. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]

1. All service in one calendar year. The board may not allow more than one year's service credit for all the service: A. In one calendar year for state employees; or [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).] B. In one school contract year for teachers or state employees employed as teachers. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).] [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]

2. Absence without pay. Except as provided in section 17766 , the board may not allow service credit for a period of absence without pay of more than a month's duration for a full-time position. [RR 1997, c. 1, §3 (COR).]

3. Board determination. The board shall determine by appropriate rules how much service in any year qualifies for one year's service credit. Service rendered for the full normal working time in any year qualifies for one year's service credit. The board shall provide in its rule related to the determination of creditable service for state employees that any part-time or seasonal state employee who was employed during the period beginning January 1, 1989 and ending June 30, 1991 is credited with a full year of creditable service for each year in which that employee is employed for 1,000 or more hours, for as long as that employee is employed by the State. The board's rule must also treat in the same manner any employee first employed before July 1, 1991 who is employed in a position that is in a career ladder in which the employee is required to move from full-time status to seasonal status when accepting a promotion in the employee's career ladder. Section 17001, subsection 13, paragraph E does not apply to an employee who is credited with a full year of creditable service under this provision. Each state department or agency shall submit to the retirement system a list of all employees to whom this provision applies, in the manner and time provided by board rule. [PL 1991, c. 878, §1 (AMD).]

4. Special provision for certain legislative employees. A legislative employee receives a full year of service credit for the period of January 1, 1978 to January 1, 1984 for each year of the legislative biennium in a position that may be full-time under Title 3, sections 22 and 42 . [RR 2013, c. 2, §7 (COR).]
5 M.R.S. § 471 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 1 / Chapter 20 / Section 471
5 §471. Creation
Status: in_force

The County and Local Government Internship Program, referred to in this chapter as "the program," is established to attract and place qualified undergraduate and graduate college students temporarily within county and local governments. [PL 2007, c. 466, Pt. A, §7 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 17061 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 421 / Section 17061
5 §17061. Termination of interest in retirement system
Status: in_force

The death of an alternate payee as defined in section 17001, subsection 3‑B terminates the interest of the alternate payee in the retirement system. This section does not affect an interest in the retirement system accrued to an individual as a member of a retirement program of the retirement system. [PL 2007, c. 491, §72 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 13037 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18-A / Chapter 381 / Section 13037
5 §13037. Funding
Status: in_force

The commission shall provide the funds to the administrative unit in an expeditious manner. The administrative unit is responsible for providing the funds to eligible business development centers for the purpose of providing direct business counseling, technical assistance, training and other services to small businesses in accordance with the contract pursuant to this chapter. [PL 1989, c. 875, Pt. L, §§2, 4 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 1660-C — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 148-C / Section 1660-C
5 §1660-C. Short title
Status: in_force

This chapter may be known and cited as the "Maine Uniform Accounting and Auditing Practices Act for Community Agencies." [PL 1995, c. 402, Pt. C, §2 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 8009 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18 / Chapter 375 / Section 8009
5 §8009. Insurance of loans (REALLOCATED TO TITLE 5, SECTION 15009)
Status: in_force

(REALLOCATED TO TITLE 5, SECTION 15009)
5 M.R.S. § 3251 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 8 / Chapter 310-B / Section 3251
5 §3251. Commission established
Status: in_force

There is established the Maine Commission for Community Service, referred to in this subchapter as "the commission," to foster the State's ethic of community service; encourage community service and volunteerism as a means of meeting critical human, environmental, educational and public safety needs throughout the State; address climate challenges through community service and volunteerism; serve as the State's liaison regarding national and community service and volunteer activities; foster collaboration among service agencies; and receive gifts and grants, implement statewide service programs and make subgrants to state and local entities in accordance with the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, 42 United States Code, Sections 12501 to 12682 (1994). [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §14 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 19002 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 21 / Chapter 431 / Section 19002
5 §19002. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms shall have the following meanings. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]

1. Civilian employees of the Maine National Guard. The phrase "the civilian employees of the Maine National Guard who are employed pursuant to section 90 of the National Defense Act of June 3, 1916 (32 U.S.C., Sec. 42)" means the civilian employees of the Maine National Guard who are employed pursuant to section 90 of the National Defense Act of June 3, 1916 (32 U.S.C., Sec. 42) and paid from funds allotted to the Maine National Guard by the Department of Defense and such employees shall, for the purpose of this chapter, be deemed to be employees of the State of Maine; provided that this chapter shall apply to the Maine National Guard, with respect to such employees, as if it constituted a "political subdivision" within the meaning of this section. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]

2. Employee. The term "employee" includes an officer of a political subdivision of the State. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]

3. Employment. The term "employment" means any service performed by an employee in the employ of any political subdivision of the State, for such employer, except service which in the absence of an agreement entered into under this chapter would constitute "employment" as defined in the Social Security Act; or service which under the Social Security Act may not be included in an agreement between the State and the Federal Security Administrator entered into under this chapter. Employment in positions covered by any retirement system supported wholly or in part by the State or any of its subdivisions may not be included in such agreement. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]

4. Federal Insurance Contributions Act. The term "Federal Insurance Contributions Act" means the Federal Internal Revenue Code, chapter 9, subchapter A, as such Code has been and may from time to time be amended. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]

5. Federal Security Administrator. The term "Federal Security Administrator" includes an individual to whom the Federal Security Administrator has delegated any of the Federal Security Administrator's functions under the Social Security Act with respect to coverage under that Act of employees of states and their political subdivisions. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §160 (COR).]

6. Political subdivision. The term "political subdivision" includes an instrumentality of the State of Maine, of one or more of its political subdivisions, the University of Maine System, academies, water, sewer and school districts and associations of municipalities, or an instrumentality of the State and one or more of its political subdivisions, but only if such instrumentality is a juristic entity which is legally separate and distinct from the State or subdivision and only if its employees are not by virtue of their relation to such juristic entity employees of the State or subdivision. [PL 1987, c. 402, Pt. A, §75 (AMD).]

7. Social Security Act. The term "Social Security Act" means the Act of Congress approved August 14, 1935, chapter 531, 49 Stat. 620 officially cited as the "Social Security Act," including regulations and requirements issued pursuant thereto, as such Act has been and may from time to time be amended. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]

8. State agency. The term "state agency" means the Maine Public Employees Retirement System. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 58, §3 (REV).]

9. Wages. The term "wages" means all remuneration for employment as defined, including the cash value of all remuneration paid in any medium other than cash, except that such term shall not include that part of such remuneration which, even if it were for "employment" within the meaning of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, would not constitute "wages" within the meaning of that Act. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 17433 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 421 / Section 17433
5 §17433. Statutory references
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding that Article 9 is placed in the Maine Revised Statutes in Part 20, chapter 421, subchapter 4 , any reference to "Part," "in this Part," "under this Part" or similar wording in Part 20 is inapplicable to every provision in this article. Article 9 stands apart from all other provisions of this Part except by explicit reference. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. RRR, §2 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 18511 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 425 / Section 18511
5 §18511. Presumption of disability for active firefighters
Status: in_force

1. Definition. For purposes of this section, a person is considered to be an active member of a municipal fire department or of a volunteer fire department or volunteer firefighters' association if the person aids in the extinguishment of fires, whether or not the person has administrative duties or other duties as a member of the department or association. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§ 5, 7 (NEW).]

2. Presumption. It is presumed that a member incurred a disability in the line of duty that occurred while in actual performance of duty at some definite time and place and that was not caused by the willful negligence of the member if: A. The disability is the result of a cardiovascular injury that occurred, or a cardiovascular or pulmonary disease that developed, within 6 months of having participated in firefighting or in a training or drill that involved firefighting; and [PL 2009, c. 322, §10 (AMD).] B. The member was an active member of a municipal fire department or of a volunteer fire association, as defined in Title 30-A, section 3151 , for at least 2 years before the injury or the onset of the disease. [PL 2009, c. 322, §10 (AMD).] C. [PL 2009, c. 322, §10 (RP).] [PL 2009, c. 322, §10 (AMD).]

3. Rebuttal. This presumption is subject to rebuttal in accordance with the Maine Rules of Evidence, Rule 301. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§ 5, 7 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 1676 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 149 / Section 1676
5 §1676. Transfer from salary plan
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding section 1585 , available balances in the General Fund Salary Plan program in the Department of Administrative and Financial Services that are no longer required for the purposes for which they were appropriated may be made available by financial order upon the recommendation of the State Budget Officer and approval of the Governor to be used to meet the fixed obligation of the General Fund for the unfunded actuarial liability in each fiscal year. Any other available balances in the General Fund Salary Plan may only be used or made available in accordance with legislative authorization. [PL 2001, c. 219, §1 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 7072 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 17-A / Chapter 372 / Section 7072
5 §7072. Training and apprenticeship programs
Status: in_force

The officer shall devise plans for and cooperate with appointing authorities and other supervising officials in the development and conduct of employee training and registered apprenticeship programs to recruit and develop well qualified employees, to aid in meeting affirmative action requirements and to otherwise carry out the State's role as a responsible and effective employer. [RR 2023, c. 1, Pt. B, §46 (COR); RR 2023, c. 1, Pt. B, §50 (AFF).]

The Department of Labor, Bureau of Employment Services shall assist the officer in determining which classifications are apprenticeable and in encouraging and assisting state agencies to utilize the benefits of registered apprenticeship programs or other training programs. [RR 2023, c. 1, Pt. B, §46 (COR); RR 2023, c. 1, Pt. B, §50 (AFF).]

1. Listing of apprenticeable classifications. [PL 2011, c. 491, §4 (RP).]

2. Agency review. [PL 2011, c. 491, §5 (RP).]

3. Annual report. The officer shall include in the annual report of the Bureau of Human Resources the following information: A. A review of the development and operation of training and registered apprenticeship programs; [PL 1993, c. 630, Pt. B, §4 (AMD).] B. [PL 2011, c. 491, §6 (RP).] C. A summary of the agencies and types of positions involved; [PL 1985, c. 785, Pt. B, §38 (NEW).] D. A summary of registered apprenticeships; [PL 1985, c. 785, Pt. B, §38 (NEW).] E. The number of persons who applied for registered apprenticeship positions under this chapter; [PL 1993, c. 630, Pt. B, §4 (AMD).] F. The number of persons who were accepted into the registered apprenticeship program under this chapter; [PL 1993, c. 630, Pt. B, §4 (AMD).] G. The number of persons, under this chapter, who successfully completed and the number of persons who failed to complete the program established under this chapter; [PL 1985, c. 785, Pt. B, §38 (NEW).] H. The number of persons who, following the successful completion of the program, remain employed; [PL 1985, c. 785, Pt. B, §38 (NEW).] I. A summary of other training programs established; and [PL 1985, c. 785, Pt. B, §38 (NEW).] J. A breakdown of the total number of persons, defined in paragraphs E , F and G , by sex, race and any other characteristics considered by the officer to be pertinent to the intent of this chapter. [RR 2023, c. 1, Pt. B, §46 (COR); RR 2023, c. 1, Pt. B, §50 (AFF).] [RR 2023, c. 1, Pt. B, §46 (COR); RR 2023, c. 1, Pt. B, §50 (AFF).]

4. Bargaining agreements. Nothing in this section may operate to invalidate or supersede the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement between an employee organization and the State. [PL 1985, c. 785, Pt. B, §38 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 18405 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 425 / Section 18405
5 §18405. Remarriage after retirement
Status: in_force

If the recipient of a reduced service retirement benefit under section 18404, subsection 3 , 4 , 5‑A or 5‑B remarries after the recipient's spouse dies, the following provisions apply. [PL 1999, c. 744, §15 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 744, §17 (AFF).]

1. Election of benefit for new spouse. The recipient may elect to have the reduced retirement benefit paid under the same option to the new spouse after the recipient's death instead of continuing the original reduced retirement benefit to the recipient during the recipient's lifetime, under the following conditions. A. The original spouse must have been the sole beneficiary of the reduced retirement benefit under section 18404, subsection 3 , 4 , 5‑A or 5‑B ; and [PL 2001, c. 118, §9 (AMD).] B. [PL 1987, c. 612, §8 (RP).] C. [PL 1987, c. 612, §8 (RP).] D. The recipient must have been married to the new spouse for at least 6 months. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §140 (COR).] [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §140 (COR).]

2. Time and manner of election. The recipient may make the election under subsection 1 at any time after the death of the original spouse and remarriage to the new spouse by: A. Sending a written request to the chief executive officer; and [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).] B. [PL 1987, c. 612, §10 (RP).] C. Submitting evidence of the death of the former spouse and date of marriage to the new spouse. [PL 1987, c. 612, §10 (NEW).] [PL 1987, c. 612, §10 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).]

3. Amount of benefit. The amount of the benefit payable under the option elected shall be the actuarial equivalent, at the date of the beginning of payment of benefits under this section, of the amount of reduced retirement benefits the qualifying member has been receiving. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]

4. Effective date of coverage of new spouse. The effective date of the designation of the new spouse as the recipient's new beneficiary will be the date the request is received or 6 months after the date of remarriage, whichever comes later. The recipient's retirement benefit shall be adjusted on the first day of the month following the effective date of the new designation of beneficiary. [PL 1987, c. 612, §11 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 934 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 2 / Chapter 71 / Section 934
5 §934. Department of Professional and Financial Regulation
Status: in_force

1. Major policy-influencing positions. The following positions are major policy-influencing positions within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, these positions and their successor positions are subject to this chapter: A. Superintendent, Bureau of Financial Institutions; [PL 1983, c. 729, §4 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 44, §11 (AMD); PL 2001, c. 44, §14 (AFF).] B. Superintendent, Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection; [PL 1995, c. 309, §3 (RPR); PL 1995, c. 309, §29 (AFF); PL 2007, c. 273, Pt. B, §6 (REV); PL 2007, c. 695, Pt. A, §47 (AFF).] C. Superintendent, Bureau of Insurance; [PL 2001, c. 182, §2 (AMD).] D. Deputy Commissioner; and [PL 2023, c. 625, §2 (AMD).] E. Administrator, Office of Securities. [PL 2001, c. 182, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 625, §2 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 2002 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 163 / Section 2002
5 §2002. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).]

1. Association. "Association" means an organization: A. Whose membership is identifiable by regular payment of organizational dues and regularly maintained membership lists; [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).] B. That is registered with the State or is a corporation in the State; and [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).] C. That exists for the purpose of advancing the common occupation or profession of its membership. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).] [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).]

2. Data custodian. "Data custodian" means a federal data custodian, state data custodian or nonstate data custodian. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).]

3. Federal data custodian. "Federal data custodian" means any branch, agency or instrumentality of the Federal Government. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).]

4. Geographic information board. "Geographic information board" means the Maine Library of Geographic Information Board. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).]

5. Geographic information system. "Geographic information system" or "GIS" means a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, analyzing and displaying information identified according to locations. A GIS includes operating personnel, hardware, software and the data that go into the system. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).]

6. Maine Library of Geographic Information. "Maine Library of Geographic Information" or "library" means the statewide network created pursuant to this subchapter by which data custodians or their designees organize and catalog public geographic information and provide access to that information to all levels of government and to the public. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).]

7. Nonstate data custodian. "Nonstate data custodian" means any agency or instrumentality of a political subdivision of the State. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).]

8. Public geographic information. "Public geographic information" means public information that is referenced to a physical location. Public geographic information includes, but is not limited to, physical, legal, economic or environmental information or characteristics concerning land, water, groundwater, subsurface resources or air in this State relating to: A. Topography, soil, soil erosion, geology, minerals, vegetation, land cover, wildlife and associated natural resources; [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).] B. Land ownership, land use, land use controls and restrictions, jurisdictional boundaries, tax assessments, land value and land survey records and references; and [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).] C. Geodetic control networks, aerial photographs, maps, planimetric data, remote sensing data, historic and prehistoric sites and economic projections. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).] [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).]

9. Public information. "Public information" means information that is stored, gathered, generated, maintained or financed by a data custodian. Information of state and nonstate data custodians is public information only if it is either: A. A public record under Title 1, section 402, subsection 3 ; or [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).] B. Otherwise expressly authorized by law to be released. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).] The presence of data in the library does not, by itself, make that information a public record. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).]

10. State data custodian. "State data custodian" means any branch, agency or instrumentality of State Government. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. SS, §16 (NEW).]

11. State funds. "State funds" means bond revenues and General Fund money appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of this chapter. [PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. YYY, §1 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 13090-L — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18-A / Chapter 383 / Section 13090-L
5 §13090-L. Visual media production certification
Status: in_force

1. Generally. A visual media production company that intends to undertake a visual media production in this State may apply to the department to have the production, or a portion of the production, certified under subsection 3 for purposes of the visual media production reimbursement pursuant to Title 36, chapter 919‑A and the credit under Title 36, section 5219‑Y . [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (AMD).]

2. Definitions. [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (RP).]

2-A. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Digital media project" means visual and audio content on an electronic, digital medium and created, referred to and distributed electronically. "Digital media project" includes publicly accessible websites, computer multimedia, video and computer games and digital video discs. [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (NEW).] B. "Maine State Film Office" means the Maine State Film Office established in the Office of Tourism pursuant to section 13090‑I . [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (NEW).] C. "Person" has the same meaning as in Title 36, section 111, subsection 3 . [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (NEW).] D. "Visual media production" means a single-medium or multimedia feature film, television show or series, video, digital media project or photographic project intended for a local, regional, national or international audience and fixed on film, videotape, computer disk, laser disc or other delivery medium that can be viewed or reproduced and that is exhibited in theaters or by individual television stations or groups of stations, television networks or cable television stations or via other means or licensed for home viewing or use. "Visual media production" does not include: (1) A news, current events or public programming show or a program that includes weather or market reports; (2) A talk show; (3) A sports event or activity; (4) A gala presentation or awards show; (5) A finished production that solicits funds; (6) A production for which records are required to be maintained by 18 United States Code, Section 2257; (7) A commercial or promotional production intended to advance a product or service to the benefit of an individual or organization; or (8) A production produced primarily for industrial, corporate or institutional purposes or for internal use. [PL 2025, c. 421, §§1-4 (AMD).] E. "Visual media production company" means a person engaged in the business of producing a visual media production. [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (NEW).] F. "Visual media production expense" means an expense directly incurred in this State for preproduction, production or postproduction of a visual media production certified under this section. "Visual media production expense" includes wages and salaries of individuals employed in the production on which taxes have been paid or accrued if those wages do not exceed $50,000 per individual and payments to a temporary employee-leasing company, as defined in Title 36, section 6901, subsection 3‑A , and other contractual payments for the services of individuals working in the State if those payments do not exceed $50,000 per individual providing services in the production. "Visual media production expense" includes the cost of construction; operations; editing and related services; music, photography and film processing, including transferring film to tape or a digital format; sound recording, mixing and synchronization; lighting, makeup, wardrobe and accessories; transportation; food and lodging for cast and crew; insurance and bonding; and the rental of facilities and equipment, including location fees. "Visual media production expense" does not include expenses incurred in marketing or advertising a visual media production or in printing or disseminating a visual media production. [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 421, §§1-4 (AMD).]

3. Requirements for visual media production certificate. Applications for a visual media production certificate must be made on a form prescribed and furnished by the department. The applicant must: A. Provide the names of the principals involved in the visual media production and contact information for them; [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (AMD).] B. Provide a certificate of insurance for the visual media production; [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (AMD).] C. Provide financial information that demonstrates that the visual media production is fully financed and that at least $75,000 of visual media production expense will be incurred for the visual media production certified in accordance with this subsection; [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (AMD).] D. Provide data demonstrating that the visual media production will benefit the people of the State by increasing opportunities for employment and will strengthen the economy of the State; [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (AMD).] E. Agree to include, in the certified visual media production, an on-screen credit for the State of Maine. The exact wording and size of that credit must be determined in rules adopted by the Maine State Film Office and the department. The Maine State Film Office or the department may, at its discretion, exempt visual media productions from this requirement. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A ; [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (AMD).] F. Provide evidence that the visual media production company is not owned by, affiliated with or controlled by, in whole or in part, a person that is in default on a loan made by the State or a loan guaranteed by the State; [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (AMD).] G. Provide any other information required by the department; and [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (AMD).] H. Provide a projected schedule for preproduction, production and postproduction of the visual media production that shows that the production will begin within 60 days after certification pursuant to this subsection. [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (NEW).] To qualify for a visual media production certificate, a visual media production company must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the commissioner that the visual media production company has met, or will meet, the requirements of this subsection. If the department determines that the applicant does not qualify for a visual media production certificate, it must inform the applicant of that determination in writing within 4 weeks of receiving the application. As soon as practicable, the department shall issue a visual media production certificate for a visual media production that qualifies. The department shall include with the certificate information regarding the tax credit report under subsection 4 and procedures for claiming reimbursement under Title 36, chapter 919‑A and the credit under Title 36, section 5219‑Y . [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (AMD).]

4. Certified visual media production report. No later than 4 weeks after completion of a certified visual media production, the visual media production company shall report, in a format specified by the Maine State Film Office or the department, its compliance with the requirements of subsection 3 with respect to the certified visual media production to the Maine State Film Office. [PL 2011, c. 285, §1 (AMD).]

5. Department to provide information to State Tax Assessor. The department shall provide to the State Tax Assessor copies of the visual media production certificate issued pursuant to subsection 3 , together with any other information reasonably required by the State Tax Assessor for the administration of visual media production reimbursement under Title 36, chapter 919‑A and the credit under Title 36, section 5219‑Y . [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (AMD).]

6. Rulemaking. The department shall develop rules as necessary to administer this section in cooperation with the State Tax Assessor. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2005, c. 519, Pt. GG, §1 (NEW).]

7. Report. The Maine State Film Office shall submit a report by January 15th annually to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over taxation matters regarding the certification and reporting process pursuant to this section and the visual media production tax credit and reimbursement activities pursuant to Title 36, section 5219‑Y and Title 36, chapter 919‑A . The report must include a description of any rule-making activity related to the implementation of the credit and reimbursement activities, outreach efforts to visual media production companies, the number of applications for the visual media production credit and tax reimbursement, the number of credits and reimbursements granted, the revenue loss associated with the credit and reimbursement and the amount of visual media production expenses generated in the State as a result of the credit and reimbursement. [PL 2009, c. 470, §1 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 18355 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 425 / Section 18355
5 §18355. Disability retirement service credit
Status: in_force

A beneficiary shall receive service credit for the purpose of determining benefits under this Part for the period following termination of service for which the beneficiary receives disability retirement benefits under subchapter V, articles 3 and 3‑A . [PL 1989, c. 409, §§9, 12 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 18002 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 423 / Section 18002
5 §18002. Qualification for benefit
Status: in_force

The beneficiary of a qualifying member shall receive a benefit in accordance with section 18003 . [PL 1985, c. 801, §§ 5, 7 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 13083-T — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18-A / Chapter 383 / Section 13083-T
5 §13083-T. Riverfront Community Development Program
Status: in_force

1. Program established; administration. The Riverfront Community Development Program, referred to in this section as "the program," is established within the department to assist and encourage communities along the State's rivers to revitalize their riverfronts in an environmentally sustainable manner and to promote river-oriented community development and enhancement projects. The department shall administer the program in conjunction with the Municipal Investment Trust Fund established under the Maine Municipal Bond Bank to provide funding for the rehabilitation, revitalization and enhancement of riverfront communities and river ecosystems in the State. [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).]

2. Review panel. The Riverfront Community Development Review Panel, referred to in this section as "the panel," is established to evaluate proposals and determine funding under the program. The panel consists of: A. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development; [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] B. The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; and [PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. EE, §8 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. EE, §30 (AFF); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §6 (REV).] C. [PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. EE, §9 (RP); PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. EE, §30 (AFF).] D. Four members of the public, one with expertise in economic and community development, one with expertise in environmental conservation, one with expertise in tourism and ecotourism development and promotion and one with expertise in park and trail design and development. Two of these members are appointed by the President of the Senate and 2 by the Speaker of the House. [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] [PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. EE, §§8, 9 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. EE, §30 (AFF); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §6 (REV).]

3. Review process. The panel shall review proposals for funding under the program in accordance with this subsection. A. The panel shall establish the deadline by which proposals must be postmarked and received. [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] B. Department staff shall undertake the initial review and preliminary scoring of proposals. [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] C. A subcommittee appointed by the panel to score proposals shall review and determine the final score for the proposals. [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] D. A subcommittee appointed by the panel to nominate finalists shall review all of the proposals, identify issues for full review and discussion by the panel and recommend project finalists to the full panel for detailed review and consideration. [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] E. The panel shall review all the proposals submitted, select the finalists and allocate funding. [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] In reviewing proposals, the panel shall use the scoring system established in subsection 5 . [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).]

4. Applicant requirements. An applicant for funding under this section must: A. Have the sponsorship of a state agency. An applicant must contact the appropriate sponsoring state agency well in advance of submitting an application; and [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] B. Demonstrate the capacity to undertake the project with a reasonable prospect of bringing it to a successful conclusion. In assessing an applicant's ability to meet the requirements of this paragraph, the panel may consider all relevant factors, including but not limited to the applicant's level of debt; fund-raising ability; past economic and community development activities; grants from federal, state or local sources; previous environmental conservation, restoration or enhancement activity; organizational history; scope of economic or environmental vision; and evidence of success in previous efforts. [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).]

5. Scoring system. The department and the panel shall develop a scoring system for use by the panel in evaluating proposals under this section. The scoring system must be designed to identify those projects that are most aligned with the State's riverfront community development and river restoration and enhancement priorities. The scoring system must assign points according to the relative value or the following criteria associated with the proposal: A. The economic significance of the proposed project to the immediate vicinity and to the State as a whole; [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] B. The level of compatibility with clean and healthy river ecosystems; [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] C. The value of the proposed project with respect to downtown revitalization; [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] D. The value of the proposed project with respect to environmental protection and ecological restoration; [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] E. The value of the proposed project with respect to recreational uses; [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] F. The degree of community support for the proposed investment; and [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] G. The extent to which the proposed project involves partnerships and meets multiple criteria for benefits. [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).]

6. Additional criteria. In addition to evaluating the proposals using the scoring system established in subsection 5 , the panel shall consider the following criteria in reviewing a proposal: A. The level to which a proposal supports the open space or recreation objectives, or both, of a local comprehensive plan; [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] B. The extent to which a project is consistent with an adopted comprehensive plan that meets the standards of the laws governing growth management pursuant to Title 30‑A, chapter 187 ; [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] C. The current and anticipated demand for use and diversity of uses of the site; [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] D. The local and regional community planning and support for river protection, enhancement and restoration; and [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] E. Any additional benefits that contribute to scenic landscape values, including the character of the town or region in which the project is situated, the rehabilitation or renovation of riverfront mill and other buildings and the ability to secure public access for conservation, recreation, wildlife and education uses. [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).] [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).]

7. Rules. The department may adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted to implement this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 39, Pt. F, §2 (AFF).]
5 M.R.S. § 18363 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 425 / Section 18363
5 §18363. Law enforcement service
Status: in_force

Service credit for service in law enforcement is governed as follows. [PL 2019, c. 459, §3 (NEW).]

1. Service before becoming member. A member who served as a full-time law enforcement officer with a federal, state, county or local law enforcement agency before becoming a member is entitled under this subsection to purchase service credit for the period of time that the member served as a law enforcement officer if the member has at least 15 years of creditable service at the time of retirement by complying with the terms and conditions of this subsection and the applicable provisions of subsection 2 . Service credit purchased under this section is limited to 4 years. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, a member for which service credit under this section is to be granted must provide a certified statement from the appropriate retirement system that the service credit to be granted has not been and will not be used to obtain other retirement benefits. [PL 2019, c. 459, §3 (NEW).]

2. Members qualified for credit at actuarial cost. A member qualified under subsection 1 to purchase service credit at the cost set forth in this subsection is entitled to service credit if the member pays an amount that, together with regular interest on that amount, is the actuarial equivalent, at the effective date of the retirement benefit, of the portion of the retirement benefit based on the additional creditable service. A. Payment must be made before any retirement benefit becomes effective for that member. [PL 2019, c. 459, §3 (NEW).] B. Payment may be made to the retirement system by a single direct payment or by annual direct payments in accordance with section 18301, subsection 4 . [PL 2025, c. 221, §36 (AMD).] [PL 2025, c. 221, §36 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 1543-A — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 143 / Section 1543-A
5 §1543-A. Direct deposit of certain disbursements
Status: in_force

1. Electronic funds transfer system. The State Controller and the Treasurer of State shall establish an electronic funds transfer system for the purpose of transferring directly into payees' accounts held at accredited financial institutions the payment of any amount or obligation owed by the State. Beginning with the payroll after the effective date of this section that is closest to January 1, 2008, the State shall pay all state employees' wages and salaries through an electronic funds transfer system. Except as set forth in subsection 2 , all wages and salaries of state employees must be transferred by means of electronic funds transfer directly into an employee's account in an accredited financial institution designated by the employee, and each state employee shall complete a direct deposit application on such forms as the State Controller shall prescribe. The direct deposit application authorizes the State Controller to initiate credit and debit entries and to correct erroneous credit entries to the employee's designated account. The State Controller shall develop policies and procedures to allow the employee to change the designated account at any time. [PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. E, §1 (NEW).]

2. Waiver provisions. The State may waive the mandatory direct deposit of the wages or salary for a state employee in subsection 1 if the State Controller determines that: A. The employee has a physical or mental disability that would impede the employee's ability to gain access to electronically deposited funds; [PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. E, §1 (NEW).] B. The employee has religious convictions that preclude the use of direct deposits; or [PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. E, §1 (NEW).] C. The facts of the particular case warrant a waiver of the mandatory direct deposit of the employee's wages or salary. [PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. E, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. E, §1 (NEW).]

3. Transfers to multiple payees. A single transfer may contain payments to multiple payees. [PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. E, §1 (NEW).]

4. System administration. The State Controller and the Treasurer of State shall establish the standards and procedures for administering the electronic funds transfer system. [PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. E, §1 (NEW).]

5. Vendor payments. The State Controller and the Treasurer of State may adopt rules to require vendors with a significant volume of payments to receive payment by direct deposit. The rules must include the requirement that the State Controller provide to vendors that receive electronic payments information similar to the check advice information given to vendors that receive checks. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2011, c. 477, Pt. G, §1 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 8059 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18 / Chapter 375 / Section 8059
5 §8059. Inconsistent rules
Status: in_force

When 2 rules are inconsistent or in conflict with one another, so that compliance with both is impossible, then compliance with either rule shall be deemed to be compliance with the other. [PL 1985, c. 680, §7 (RPR).]
5 M.R.S. § 203-C — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 1 / Chapter 9 / Section 203-C
5 §203-C. Maine Recovery Council
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Approved uses" means the substance use disorder abatement purposes defined as "Approved Uses" in the Memoranda of Understanding. [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. HHHH, §2 (AMD).] B. "Maine Recovery Fund" means the fund described by the Memoranda of Understanding. [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. HHHH, §2 (AMD).] C. "Memoranda of Understanding" means the 2 agreements entitled "Maine State‑Subdivision Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement Regarding Use of Settlement Funds," dated and signed on January 26, 2022, and "Maine State‑Subdivision Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement Regarding Use of Settlement Funds‑2023," dated and signed on May 2, 2023, including subsequent amendments and Schedule A, Core Strategies and Schedule B, Approved Uses. [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. HHHH, §2 (AMD).] [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. HHHH, §2 (AMD).]

2. Maine Recovery Council established. The Maine Recovery Council, as established in section 12004‑I, subsection 94 and referred to in this section as "the council," shall direct the disbursement of funds within the Maine Recovery Fund for approved uses. [RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. A, §6 (COR).]

3. Membership. The council is composed of the 11 members identified by the Memoranda of Understanding and of 4 additional voting members as follows: A. One member who is a medical professional with direct experience providing medication-assisted treatment, appointed by the President of the Senate; [PL 2021, c. 661, §3 (NEW).] B. One member representing reentry services for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals and their families, appointed by the President of the Senate; [PL 2021, c. 661, §3 (NEW).] C. One member representing a nonprofit community-based provider of mental health treatment, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and [PL 2021, c. 661, §3 (NEW).] D. One member representing the harm reduction community, appointed by the Speaker of the House. [PL 2021, c. 661, §3 (NEW).] In making these appointments, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall endeavor to select individuals that reflect the racial, ethnic, gender and indigenous diversity of the State. [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. HHHH, §3 (AMD).]

4. Vacancy. In the event of a vacancy in the council membership, the vacancy must be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the remainder of the term. For the purposes of reappointment, any partial term filled after a vacancy must be considered a full term. [PL 2021, c. 661, §3 (NEW).]

5. Report. The Attorney General shall, by February 1st of each year, submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters describing the activities of the council and the status of the Maine Recovery Fund and listing information on disbursements from the fund and information related to the outcomes of funded activities. [PL 2021, c. 661, §3 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 891 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 2 / Chapter 68 / Section 891
5 §891. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1983, c. 791, §2 (NEW).]

1. Employee. "Employee" means any person whether appointed, elected or under contract, providing services for the State, county, municipality or other political subdivision, for which compensation is paid. [PL 1983, c. 791, §2 (NEW).]

2. Individual retirement account. "Individual retirement account" means an individual retirement account that is in compliance with the United States Internal Revenue Code. [PL 1983, c. 791, §2 (NEW).]

3. Simplified employee pension plan. "Simplified employee pension plan" means a simplified employee pension plan that is in compliance with the provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, as these provisions relate to simplified employee pension plans. [PL 1983, c. 791, §2 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 3232 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 8 / Chapter 310-B / Section 3232
5 §3232. Technical and financial assistance
Status: in_force

The office may enter into financial assistance grants under the program only to the extent that funds are available. In making grants, the office shall consider the need for planning in a municipality or multimunicipal region, the proximity of the municipality or multimunicipal region to other areas that are conducting or have completed the planning process and the economic and geographic role of the municipality or multimunicipal region within a regional context. The office shall give priority in making grants to any municipality or multimunicipal region that has adopted a local climate action plan and, if the municipality or multimunicipal region has adopted a comprehensive plan or growth management program, prepared a climate vulnerability assessment pursuant to Title 30‑A, section 4326, subsection 1 , paragraph L. The office may consider other criteria in making grants, as long as the criteria support the goal of encouraging and facilitating the adoption and implementation of local and multimunicipal growth management programs consistent with the procedures, goals and guidelines established in this subchapter. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).]

1. Financial assistance grants. A contract for a financial assistance grant must: A. Provide for the payment of a specific amount for the purposes of planning and preparing a comprehensive plan; [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] B. Provide for the payment of a specific amount for the purposes of implementing a comprehensive plan; and [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] C. Include specific timetables governing the preparation and submission of products by the municipality or multimunicipal region. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] The office may not require a municipality or multimunicipal region to provide matching funds in excess of 25% of the value of that municipality's or multimunicipal region's financial assistance contract for its first planning assistance grant and implementation assistance grant. The office may require a higher match for other grants, including, but not limited to, grants for the purpose of updating comprehensive plans. This match limitation does not apply to distribution of federal funds that the office may administer. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).]

2. Use of funds. A municipality or multimunicipal region may expend financial assistance grants for: A. The conduct of surveys, inventories and other data-gathering activities; [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] B. The hiring of planning and other technical staff; [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] C. The retention of planning consultants; [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] D. Contracts with regional councils for planning and related services; [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] E. Assistance in the development of ordinances; [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] F. Retention of technical and legal expertise; [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] G. The updating of growth management programs or components of a program; [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] H. Evaluation of growth management programs; and [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] I. Any other purpose agreed to by the office and the municipality or multimunicipal region that is directly related to the preparation of a comprehensive plan or the implementation of a comprehensive plan adopted in accordance with the procedures, goals and guidelines established in this subchapter. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).]

3. Program evaluation. Any recipient of a financial assistance grant shall cooperate with the office in performing program evaluations required under Title 30‑A, section 4331 . [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).]

4. Encumbered balances at year-end. Notwithstanding section 1589 , at the end of each fiscal year, all encumbered balances accounts for financial assistance and regional planning grants may be carried forward for 2 years beyond the year in which those balances are encumbered. [RR 2025, c. 1, Pt. A, §6 (COR).]

5. Technical assistance. Using its own staff, the staff of other state agencies, contractors and the resources of the regional councils, the office shall provide technical assistance to municipalities or multimunicipal regions in the development, administration and enforcement of growth management programs. The technical assistance component of the program must include a set of model land use ordinances or other implementation strategies developed by the office that are consistent with this subchapter. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).]

6. Regional council assistance. As part of the program, the office may develop and administer an initiative to develop regional education and training programs, regional policies to address state goals and regional assessments. Regional assessments may include, but are not limited to, public infrastructure, inventories of agricultural and commercial forest lands, housing needs, recreation and open space needs and projections of regional growth and economic development. The initiative may include guidelines to ensure methodological consistency among the State's regional councils. To implement this initiative, the office may contract with regional councils to assist the office in reviewing growth management programs, to develop necessary planning information at a regional level or to provide support for local planning efforts. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).]

7. Coordination. State agencies with regulatory or other authority affecting the goals established in this subchapter shall conduct their respective activities in a manner consistent with the goals established under this subchapter, including, but not limited to, coordinating with municipalities, regional councils and other state agencies in meeting the state goals; providing available information to regions and municipalities as described in Title 30‑A, section 4326, subsection 1 ; cooperating with efforts to integrate and provide access to geographic information system data; making state investments and awarding grant money as described in section 3234 ; and conducting reviews of growth management programs as provided in section 3233, subsection 3, paragraph A . Without limiting the application of this section to other state agencies, the following agencies shall comply with this subchapter: A. Department of Economic and Community Development; [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] B. Department of Environmental Protection; [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] C. Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] D. Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] E. Department of Marine Resources; [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] F. Department of Transportation; [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] G. Department of Health and Human Services; [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] H. Finance Authority of Maine; and [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] I. Maine State Housing Authority. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. D, §12 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 18403 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 425 / Section 18403
5 §18403. Election of methods of payment
Status: in_force

1. Definition. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise indicates, the term "qualifying member" means: A. A member; or [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).] B. A former member who is receiving a disability retirement benefit. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).] [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]

2. Election. In order to receive a benefit, a qualifying member must elect to have the qualifying member's service retirement benefit payable under any of the methods in section 18404. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §136 (COR).]

3. Time and manner of election. A qualifying member must elect a method of payment before the beginning of payment of a service retirement benefit. This election must be by written notice to the chief executive officer stating the date on which the qualifying member desires to retire. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §136 (COR).]

4. Change of election. A qualifying member may revoke the qualifying member's election of benefits and may elect another method of payment by giving written notice to the chief executive officer at any time before the first payment of the service retirement benefit. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §136 (COR).]
5 M.R.S. § 11002 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18 / Chapter 375 / Section 11002
5 §11002. Commencement of action
Status: in_force

1. Proceedings instituted. Proceedings for judicial review of final agency action or the failure or refusal of an agency to act shall be instituted by filing a petition for review in the Superior Court for the county where: A. One or more of the petitioners reside or have their principal place of business; [PL 1977, c. 551, §3 (NEW).] B. The agency has its principal office; or [PL 1977, c. 551, §3 (NEW).] C. The activity or property which is the subject of the proceeding is located. [PL 1977, c. 551, §3 (NEW).] The court may grant a change of venue for good cause shown. [PL 1977, c. 551, §3 (NEW).]

2. Petition; contents. The petition for review shall specify the persons seeking review, the manner in which they are aggrieved and the final agency action or agency inaction which they wish reviewed. It shall also contain a concise statement as to the nature of the action or inaction to be reviewed, the grounds upon which relief is sought and a demand for relief, which may be in the alternative. [PL 1977, c. 551, §3 (NEW).]

3. Petition filed. The petition for review shall be filed within 30 days after receipt of notice if taken by a party to the proceeding of which review is sought. Any other person aggrieved shall have 40 days from the date the decision was rendered to petition for review. If the review sought is from an agency's failure or refusal to act, the petition for review shall be filed within 6 months of the expiration of the time within which the action should reasonably have occurred. [PL 1977, c. 551, §3 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 1543 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 143 / Section 1543
5 §1543. Disbursements; exceptions
Status: in_force

Money may not be drawn from the State Treasury except in accordance with appropriations duly authorized by law. Every disbursement from the State Treasury must be upon the authorization of the State Controller and the Treasurer of State, as evidenced by their facsimile signatures, except that the Treasurer of State may authorize interbank and intrabank transfers for purposes of pooled investments. Disbursements must be in the form of a check or an electronic transfer of funds against a designated bank or trust company acting as a depository of the State Government. [PL 1993, c. 680, Pt. A, §9 (RPR).]

The State Controller and the Treasurer of State are authorized to issue rules, policies or procedures to limit the number of disbursements made for less than $5. [PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. UU, §1 (NEW).]

Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph, the Commissioner of Labor is authorized to prepare and sign warrants for the payment of benefits to eligible unemployed persons and allowances to persons eligible under federally sponsored human resources development programs that authorize the Department of Labor to designate the recipients of allowances from federal funds granted or allocated to the department under these programs, which warrants, upon being delivered to the payee, become a check against a designated bank or trust company acting as a depository of the State Government. The authority of the commissioner to prepare and sign the warrants is limited solely to the payment of benefits to eligible unemployed persons and to allowances to persons eligible under these federal programs. The facsimile signature of the commissioner who is leaving office is valid until a new signature plate for the signature authorized has been obtained for the commissioner's successor. [PL 1995, c. 462, Pt. B, §2 (AMD).]

Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraphs, the treasurer of the 3 Indian school committees is authorized to prepare and sign warrants for the payment of Indian school payrolls and bills. [PL 1973, c. 571, §3-A (NEW); PL 1973, c. 625, §29 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 4582-B — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 12 / Chapter 337 / Section 4582-B
5 §4582-B. Standards and certification
Status: in_force

1. Definition. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Builder" means the applicant for a building permit in a municipality that requires these permits or the owner of the property in a municipality that does not require building permits. [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).] B. "Design professional" means an architect or professional engineer registered to practice under Title 32 . [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).] C. "Standards of construction" means the 1986 standards set forth by the American National Standards Institute in the publication "Specifications for Making Buildings and Facilities Accessible to and Usable by Physically Handicapped People," ANSI A 117.1-1986. [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).] D. "Multifamily housing accommodation" means "covered multifamily dwelling" as defined in 42 United States Code, Section 3604. [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).] [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).]

2. Applicability. This section applies to multifamily housing accommodations constructed for first occupancy after March 13, 1991. [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).]

3. Standards. Facilities subject to this section must meet the following standards. A. Doors designed to allow passage into and within all premises within those accommodations must be sufficiently wide to allow passage by a person in a wheelchair. [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).] B. A route accessible to a person in a wheelchair into and through the dwelling unit must exist. [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).] C. Light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats and other environmental controls must be in locations accessible to a person in a wheelchair. [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).] D. Bathroom walls must have reinforcements to accommodate the installation of grab bars. [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).] E. Kitchens and bathrooms must be accessible to and usable by a person in a wheelchair. [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).] [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).]

4. Compliance with standards. Compliance with the standards of construction satisfies the requirements of this section. [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).]

5. Certification; inspection. The builder of a facility to which this section applies shall obtain a certification from a design professional that the plans of the facility meet the standards of construction required by this section. Prior to commencing construction of the facility, the builder shall submit the certification to: A. The municipal authority that reviews plans in the municipality where the facility is to be constructed; or [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).] B. If the municipality where the facility is to be constructed has no authority who reviews plans, the municipal officers of the municipality. [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).] If municipal officials of the municipality where the facility is to be constructed inspect buildings for compliance with construction standards, that inspection must include an inspection for compliance with the standards required by this section. The municipal officials shall require the facility inspected to meet the construction standards of this section before the municipal officials permit the facility to be occupied. [PL 1989, c. 779 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 1764 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 153 / Section 1764
5 §1764. Life-cycle costs
Status: in_force

1. Bureau of General Services to adopt rules and procedures. The Bureau of General Services shall adopt rules, including energy conservation guidelines that conform at a minimum to the energy efficiency building performance standards adopted by the Department of Public Safety for conducting an energy-related life-cycle costs analysis of alternative architectural or engineering designs, or both, and shall evaluate the efficiency of energy utilization for designs in the construction and lease of public improvements and public school facilities. [PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §8 (AMD).]

2. Life-cycle costs. Any life-cycle costs must include: A. The reasonably expected energy costs over the life of the building, as determined by the designer, that are required to maintain illumination, power, temperature, humidity and ventilation and all other energy-consuming equipment in a facility; [PL 1997, c. 541, §2 (AMD).] B. The reasonable energy-related costs of probable maintenance, including labor and materials and operation of the building, replacement costs over the expected life of the facility and any other ownership cost issues identified by the Bureau of General Services; and [PL 1997, c. 541, §2 (AMD).] C. A comparison of energy-related and economic-related design alternatives. The Bureau of General Services may direct the designer to select, include and develop life-cycle costs for any viable alternatives that should be considered. [PL 1997, c. 541, §2 (NEW).] [PL 1997, c. 541, §2 (AMD).]

3. Determination of life-cycle costs. To determine the life-cycle costs, the Bureau of General Services shall adopt rules that include but are not limited to: A. The orientation and integration of the facility with respect to its physical site; [PL 1977, c. 563, §2 (RPR).] B. The amount and type of glass employed in the facility and the directions of exposure; [PL 1977, c. 563, §2 (RPR).] C. The effect of insulation incorporated into the facility design and the effect on solar utilization to the properties of external surfaces; [PL 1977, c. 563, §2 (RPR).] D. The variable occupancy and operating conditions of the facility and subportions of the facility; [PL 2007, c. 671, §1 (AMD).] E. Energy consumption analysis of the major equipment of the facility's heating, ventilating and cooling system, lighting system, hot water system and all other major energy-consuming equipment and systems as appropriate. This analysis must include: (1) The comparison of alternative systems; (2) A projection of the annual energy consumption of major energy-consuming equipment and systems for a range of operations of the facility over the life of the facility; and (3) The evaluation of the energy consumption of component equipment in each system, considering operation of the components at other than full or rated outputs; and [PL 2007, c. 671, §2 (AMD).] F. The cost-effectiveness of integrating wind or solar electricity generating equipment into the design and construction of the facility. [PL 2007, c. 671, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 671, §§1-3 (AMD).]

4. Annual updating of rules. Rules must be based on the best currently available methods of analysis and provisions must be made for an annual updating of rules and standards as required. [PL 1997, c. 541, §2 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 19132 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 22 / Chapter 439 / Section 19132
5 §19132. Duties of the cabinet
Status: in_force

The cabinet shall collaborate to create, manage and promote coordinated policies, finances, programs and service delivery systems to support children, youth and families consistent with the purposes of this chapter. To accomplish these purposes, the cabinet shall carry out the following duties: [PL 2019, c. 450, §7 (AMD).]

1. Regional children's cabinets. Appoint regional children's cabinets to ensure that the purposes of this chapter are implemented at the regional and local levels; [PL 1999, c. 785, §3 (NEW).]

2. Subcommittees. [PL 2019, c. 450, §7 (RP).]

3. Coordinated funding; collaboration. Coordinate funding, grants and budgets among the departments of the cabinet related to child, youth and family services in order to carry out the purpose of this chapter, collaborate to share resources, remove barriers and support innovative initiatives, prevention and best practices that address health and behavioral problems in children and youth; [PL 2019, c. 450, §7 (AMD).]

4. Data collection, planning and policy development. Determine effective data sources to allow analysis leading to integrated and innovative approaches to identified priority areas of need of the cabinet and conduct long-range planning and policy development leading to a more effective public and private service delivery system; [PL 2019, c. 450, §7 (AMD).]

5. Coordinated service delivery. [PL 2019, c. 450, §7 (RP).]

6. Assessment. [PL 2019, c. 450, §7 (RP).]

7. Policy and program review. Update policies, statutes, rules and programs to ensure consistency across all departments in addressing the cabinet's priority areas; [PL 2019, c. 450, §7 (AMD).]

8. Communication. Broadly and transparently communicate the work of the cabinet through a variety of mechanisms; [PL 2019, c. 450, §7 (AMD).]

9. Program implementation and oversight. Initiate, implement and oversee programs, policies and services consistent with the purposes of this chapter; [PL 2023, c. 425, §1 (AMD).]

10. Maine Children's Cabinet Early Childhood Advisory Council. Oversee the Maine Children's Cabinet Early Childhood Advisory Council, established under section 24051 , and direct a representative of the cabinet to meet at least once yearly with the Maine Children's Cabinet Early Childhood Advisory Council and consult with one or more state-designated groups representing youth issues regarding goals selected by the Maine Children's Cabinet Early Childhood Advisory Council; and [PL 2023, c. 425, §2 (AMD).]

11. Coordination across state agencies. Establish a working group that includes the Department of Corrections and the Department of Health and Human Services to promote coordinated policies, finances, programs and service delivery systems to support juveniles involved in the juvenile justice system. The working group shall conduct a review of other states in regard to best practices and organizational structures for juvenile justice services. [PL 2023, c. 425, §3 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 17802 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 423 / Section 17802
5 §17802. Eligibility for benefits
Status: in_force

Only members of the State Employee and Teacher Retirement Program, their spouses, surviving spouses, children, dependent children, parents or beneficiaries are eligible to receive benefits from the State Employee and Teacher Retirement Program. [PL 2007, c. 491, §146 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 12015 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18 / Chapter 379 / Section 12015
5 §12015. New boards
Status: in_force

Any boards established on or after July 25, 1984 shall conform to the following provisions. [RR 1997, c. 2, §16 (COR).]

1. Membership; terms; vacancies. Each board may have no fewer than 3 members. Boards established after September 1, 2000 to regulate professions or occupations may have no more than 9 members, including at least 2 public members. Law establishing the board must provide for appointments, terms of office, qualifications and removal of its members. In the event of the death, resignation or removal of any member, the vacancy for that member's unexpired term must be filled in the same manner as that member's original appointment. [PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §2 (AMD).]

2. Sunset. [PL 1999, c. 668, §49 (RP).]

3. Sunrise review required. Any joint standing committee of the Legislature that considers proposed legislation to establish a board to license or otherwise regulate an occupation or profession not previously regulated or to substantially expand regulation of an occupation or profession currently regulated shall evaluate whether the occupation or profession should be regulated or further regulated. For the purposes of this section, "substantially expand regulation" means to add a new regulatory category or to expand the scope of practice for current practitioners. In order to evaluate this legislation, the joint standing committee shall, without a public hearing, briefly and informally review legislation referred to the committee that proposes a new occupational or professional board or substantial expansion of regulation and an applicant's answers pertaining to evaluation criteria as required by Title 32, section 60‑J . Following this informal review, the committee shall: A. Immediately hold a public hearing to accept information addressing the evaluation criteria listed in Title 32, section 60‑J from any professional or occupational group or organization, any individual or any other interested party who is a proponent or opponent of the legislation; [PL 1995, c. 686, §1 (RPR).] B. Request that the Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation conduct an independent assessment of the applicant's answers to the evaluation criteria listed in Title 32, section 60‑J and report the commissioner's findings back to the committee by a specific date; or [PL 1995, c. 686, §1 (RPR).] C. Request that the Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation establish a technical committee to assess the applicant's answers to the evaluation criteria listed in Title 32, section 60‑J following the procedures of Title 32, chapter 1‑A, subchapter II and report its findings to the commissioner within 6 months of establishment of the committee. [PL 1995, c. 686, §1 (RPR).] D. [PL 1995, c. 686, §1 (RP).] E. [PL 1995, c. 686, §1 (RP).] F. [PL 1995, c. 686, §1 (RP).] G. [PL 1995, c. 686, §1 (RP).] Any recommendation by a joint standing committee to the full Legislature for the establishment or expansion of jurisdiction of an occupational or professional regulatory board must include a written statement describing the manner in which the assessment of answers to the evaluation criteria was conducted and a concise summary of the evaluation. [PL 1995, c. 686, §1 (RPR).]
5 M.R.S. § 3360-G — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 9 / Chapter 316-A / Section 3360-G
5 §3360-G. Appeal
Status: in_force

Only a claimant under this chapter may appeal a decision of the board. An appeal of the board's final decisions must be to the Superior Court as provided for other administrative actions under chapter 375, subchapter VII . Board decisions and the amount of awards must be upheld unless the court finds no rational basis for the decision or that the board abused its discretion. [PL 1997, c. 378, §11 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 18252-A — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 425 / Section 18252-A
5 §18252-A. Membership in district without Social Security coverage and with plan provided by the employer under section 18252-B
Status: in_force

1. Membership. An employee of a participating local district that does not have Social Security coverage and that has a plan provided by the employer under section 18252‑B may elect to be a member under the Participating Local District Retirement Program or to be covered under the plan provided by the employer in accordance with the following. A. Except as provided by section 18252‑C , a person hired by a participating local district, or rehired following a break in service, after the date on which the employer provides a plan under section 18252‑B must elect at the time of initial hiring or rehiring whether to be a member under the Participating Local District Retirement Program or to be covered under a plan provided by the employer under section 18252‑B . [PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §16 (RPR).] B. An employee of the participating local district who is a member under the Participating Local District Retirement Program on the date on which the employer provides a plan under section 18252‑B may elect to remain a member under that program or to become covered under a plan provided by the employer under section 18252‑B . Except as provided by section 18252‑C , a person must make an election within 90 days of the date on which the employer provides a plan under section 18252‑B . (1) If that person elects not to remain a member, the election is effective as of the first day of the month in which no contributions or pick-up contributions are made to the Participating Local District Retirement Program by that person. A person who elects not to remain a member may, at that person's discretion, withdraw accumulated contributions in accordance with section 18306‑A . [PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §17 (RPR).] C. [PL 2003, c. 630, Pt. A, §5 (RP).] D. If the participating local district does not have a plan provided under section 18252‑B , the employees do not have the elections provided under paragraphs A and B . [PL 2009, c. 415, Pt. A, §6 (RPR).] E. An election under paragraph A or B to not be a member or not remain a member is not irrevocable if: (1) The employee contribution rate for the plan provided by the employer under section 18252‑B is not lower than the employee contribution rate for the applicable plan under the Participating Local District Retirement Program; and (2) Employee contributions after joining or rejoining the Participating Local District Retirement Program qualify for treatment as pick-up contributions for federal tax purposes and the person's membership otherwise complies with the United States Internal Revenue Code as applicable to governmental qualified defined benefit plans. [PL 2021, c. 90, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §§16, 17 (AMD).]

2. District employer responsibilities. Responsibilities of the participating local district employer are as follows. A. The participating local district employer is responsible for ensuring that the plan provided by the employer under section 18252‑B meets the requirements of that section. [PL 1997, c. 709, §4 (NEW).] B. The participating local district employer is responsible for providing employees with information as to membership under the Participating Local District Retirement Program and as to coverage under the plan provided by the employer under section 18252‑B to assist the employee in making election decisions. The retirement system shall provide the employer with information as to the Participating Local District Retirement Program. [PL 2007, c. 491, §193 (AMD).] C. The participating local district employer is responsible for providing procedures by which employees make elections under this section, for maintaining all records relevant to the election process and each employee's elections, for informing the retirement system as to employee elections in accordance with procedures established by the chief executive officer and for making all administrative decisions, including the final administrative decision, in any dispute over the election process or an employee's elections or to any issue as to the plan provided by the employer under section 18252‑B . Neither the retirement system nor the system's board of trustees has responsibility or jurisdiction to make the final administrative decision with respect to any of these matters. The retirement system is responsible to ensure that its records accurately reflect the information provided by the employer, the employer's decision as to any of these matters and the legally cognizable outcome of any dispute related to any of these matters. [PL 2021, c. 548, §33 (AMD).] D. With respect to matters related to participation and membership other than those specified as the responsibility of the employer in paragraph C , the retirement system and the board retain responsibility and authority according to applicable retirement system law and rules as to the participating local districts and their employees to whom this section applies, including the authority to make final administrative decisions on membership eligibility based on employee membership elections as reported by the employer pursuant to this section, the applicable retirement system laws and rules and the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and United States Treasury regulations applicable to governmental qualified defined benefit plans. [PL 2021, c. 548, §34 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 548, §§33, 34 (AMD).]

3. Exclusions. This section does not apply to employees of participating local districts: A. Who are employed in part-time, seasonal or temporary positions; [PL 2003, c. 630, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] B. Whose membership in the Participating Local District Retirement Program is optional under section 18252 , section 18801, subsection 1 or section 18251, subsection 3, paragraph A , B or C ; [PL 2007, c. 491, §194 (AMD).] C. For whom membership in the Participating Local District Retirement Program is denied under section 18256 ; or [PL 2007, c. 491, §195 (AMD).] D. Who are excluded from membership under section 18201, subsection 3 . [PL 2003, c. 630, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 491, §§194, 195 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 4651 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 12 / Chapter 337-A / Section 4651
5 §4651. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1987, c. 515, §1 (NEW).]

1. Court. "Court" means any District Court and, with regard to section 4659 , the tribal court of the Passamaquoddy Tribe or the Penobscot Nation. [PL 1993, c. 469, §1 (AMD).]

2. Harassment. "Harassment" means: A. Three or more acts of intimidation, confrontation, physical force or the threat of physical force directed against any person, family or business that are made with the intention of causing fear, intimidation or damage to personal property and that do in fact cause fear, intimidation or damage to personal property; [PL 2025, c. 400, §1 (AMD).] B. [PL 2011, c. 559, Pt. C, §2 (RP).] C. A single act or course of conduct constituting a violation of section 4681 ; Title 14, section 9102 ; Title 17, section 2931 ; or Title 17‑A, section 201 , 202 , 203 , 204 , 207 , 208 , 209 , 210 , 210‑A , 211 , 253 , 254 , 255‑A , 256 , 258 , 259‑A , 259‑B , 260 , 261 , 282 , 283 , 301 , 302 , 303 , 506 , 506‑A , 511 , 511‑A , 556 , 802 , 805 , 806 , 852 or 853 ; or [PL 2025, c. 400, §1 (AMD); PL 2025, c. 417, §1 (AMD).] D. Communicating to a person a threat to commit, or to cause to be committed, a crime of unauthorized dissemination of certain private images as described in Title 17‑A, section 511‑A , consciously disregarding a substantial risk that the natural and probable consequence of such a threat is to place the person who is depicted or who appears to be depicted in the image in reasonable fear that the crime will be committed. [PL 2025, c. 400, §1 (NEW).] This definition does not include any act protected by law. [PL 2025, c. 400, §1 (AMD); PL 2025, c. 417, §1 (AMD).]

3. Law enforcement agency. "Law enforcement agency" means the State Police, a sheriff's department or a municipal police department. [PL 1987, c. 515, §1 (NEW).]

3-A. Military protective order. "Military protective order" means a protection order issued pursuant to 10 United States Code, Section 1567 by a commanding officer of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of any state, against a person under the officer's command. [PL 2025, c. 90, §1 (NEW).]

4. Business. "Business" means any corporation, partnership, limited liability corporation, professional corporation or any other legal business entity recognized under the laws of the State. [PL 1995, c. 265, §2 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 17858-B — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 423 / Section 17858-B
5 §17858-B. Retirement; creditable service
Status: in_force

1. Retirement incentive. Any state employee, as defined in section 17001, subsection 40 , except employees of the Maine Community College System, who, by April 1, 1996, has reached normal retirement age and has 10 or more years of creditable service and who gives notice to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System no later than February 1, 1996 and who retires effective no later than April 1, 1996 is entitled to receive, at the employee's option, either 3 months' base salary paid as a lump sum to be paid on July 1, 1996 or the equivalent amount in monthly cash payments toward retiree dependent medical insurance equal to the current percentage contribution rate for dependent coverage for state employees. Payment of the retirement incentive under this subsection must be made by the employing agencies and may not be made from the funds of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System. Payment of the retirement incentive under this subsection may not be used in the calculation of the employee's average final compensation or creditable service. [PL 1995, c. 502, Pt. R, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 20, Pt. OO, §2 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 20, Pt. OO, §4 (AFF); PL 2007, c. 58, §3 (REV).]

2. Vacant position. The department or agency from which any state employee retires under subsection 1 either may not fill the resulting vacant position or, if that position is filled, shall maintain a vacant position elsewhere within the department or agency until the State's costs associated with the retirement have been recovered. Alternatively, the Governor may recover these costs by maintaining an offsetting vacancy in another department or agency or by utilizing other salary savings. [PL 1995, c. 502, Pt. R, §1 (NEW).]

3. Payment of fixed costs. With respect to each employee who retires under subsection 1 , the State shall pay the amount of the State Employee and Teacher Retirement Program's unfunded liability payment, the Maine Public Employees Retirement System's administrative cost payment and the retiree health care payment associated with the employee. [PL 2007, c. 491, §173 (AMD).]

4. Policies and procedures. The Chief Executive Officer of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System shall establish policies and procedures for the implementation of this section, including notice and payment requirements, that ensure that no unfunded liability results to the State Employee and Teacher Retirement Program. [PL 2007, c. 491, §174 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).]
5 M.R.S. § 243-C — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 1 / Chapter 11 / Section 243-C
5 §243-C. Corrective action plans; report
Status: in_force

By January 1st of each year, the State Auditor shall submit a report to the Executive Director of the Legislative Council and to all joint standing committees of the Legislature regarding the administration of federal grants, programs and awards by state agencies. The report must be based on the most recent single audit conducted pursuant to section 243, subsection 9 and describe all disputed findings in the prior 5 years with regard to the administration of federal grants, programs and awards and any corrective action plans in the single audit reports in the prior 5 years that have not been implemented. [PL 2023, c. 500, §1 (NEW).]

By February 1st of each year, the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over the subject matter of any disputed finding or corrective action plan identified in the report submitted pursuant to this section and that has not been implemented shall invite the State Auditor to provide a briefing at a public meeting of the committee on the report. The committee may report out legislation related to the disputed findings and corrective action plans during the session of the Legislature in which the briefing is held. [PL 2023, c. 500, §1 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 4656 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 12 / Chapter 337-A / Section 4656
5 §4656. Identifying information sealed
Status: in_force

If a party alleges in an affidavit or a pleading under oath that the health, safety or liberty of a party or child would be jeopardized by disclosure of identifying information, the information must be sealed by the clerk and not disclosed to the other party or to the public unless the court orders the disclosure to be made after a hearing in which the court takes into consideration the health, safety or liberty of the party or child and determines that the disclosure is in the interest of justice. [PL 2001, c. 134, §4 (RPR).]
5 M.R.S. § 1812-D — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 155 / Section 1812-D
5 §1812-D. Coordination of procurement information and policies
Status: in_force

The Office of Procurement Services shall coordinate with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a central database of information including, but not limited to, procurement policies, market information, technical data and demonstration project results. This data must be compiled annually and provided to local public agencies by the Department of Environmental Protection. [PL 2023, c. 516, Pt. B, §9 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 18254 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 425 / Section 18254
5 §18254. Effect of district's withdrawal
Status: in_force

The withdrawal of a participating local district from the Participating Local District Retirement Program has the following effects on an employee of the district and on the district itself. [PL 2007, c. 491, §203 (AMD).]

1. Employee eligible to withdraw accumulated contributions. An employee of the district whose membership in the Participating Local District Retirement Program was compulsory under section 18251 must make an election to remain a member under that program or to withdraw accumulated contributions within 90 days of the effective date of the employer withdrawal from the program under section 18203, subsection 2 . An employee who elects to withdraw accumulated contributions under this subsection may not be a member of the program as an employee of that district. Once an election is made under this subsection, the election is irrevocable with respect to all subsequent employment with the same employer when membership in the program is not mandatory if the employer later resumes participation in the program pursuant to section 18254‑A unless the employee is electing to rejoin the Participating Local District Retirement Program and: A. The employee is covered by a plan provided by the employer under section 18252‑B with an employee contribution rate that is not lower than the employee contribution rate for the applicable plan under the Participating Local District Retirement Program; and [PL 2021, c. 90, §4 (NEW).] B. Employee contributions after rejoining the Participating Local District Retirement Program qualify for treatment as pick-up contributions for federal tax purposes and the person's membership otherwise complies with the United States Internal Revenue Code as applicable to governmental qualified defined benefit plans. [PL 2021, c. 90, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 90, §4 (AMD).]

2. Person employed after district withdrawal. A person who begins employment with the district after the effective date of withdrawal of the district from the Participating Local District Retirement Program may not be a member of that program as an employee of that district. [PL 2007, c. 491, §205 (AMD).]

3. Former employee receiving or eligible for retirement benefits. Except as provided in subsection 5 , for a former employee who is receiving retirement benefits or is eligible for retirement benefits, the district continues to be a participating local district and that person is subject to this Part. [PL 2001, c. 181, §9 (AMD).]

4. Former employee who has not withdrawn accumulated contributions. For a former employee who has not withdrawn accumulated contributions from the Participating Local District Retirement Program, the district continues to be a participating local district and that person is subject to this Part. [PL 2007, c. 491, §206 (AMD).]

5. Conditions under which withdrawn participating local district is no longer participating local district. A participating local district that has no former employees eligible for retirement benefits under subsection 3 and no former employees covered under subsection 4 is no longer a participating local district when: A. The participating local district's status as a participating local district is based solely on the existence of a former employee or employees who are retirees receiving retirement benefits or on the existence of current or potential beneficiaries of such retirees who are receiving or potentially entitled to receive benefits; and [PL 2001, c. 181, §10 (NEW).] B. The district satisfies fully all liabilities as measured by the retirement system for those to whom paragraph A applies: (1) In accordance with state and federal law; and (2) According to standards and procedures approved by the board as determined by the board to protect the interests of current and potential benefit recipients and any other affected or potentially affected person or entity. Such procedures may include, but are not limited to, the establishment by purchase or otherwise of an annuity or annuities as a means of satisfying the district's liabilities. [PL 2001, c. 181, §10 (NEW).] Having satisfied its liabilities in compliance with this subsection, a district is no longer a participating local district, and once the retirement plan is terminated in accordance with federal law, the retirement system must return to it any assets in the district's retirement system account exceeding the amount necessary to comply. Satisfaction of district liabilities pursuant to this subsection bars any future claim by any person against the retirement system for liability to or responsibility for any retiree, beneficiary or the district, and a retiree, beneficiary or the district is not thereafter subject to this Part. [PL 2009, c. 474, §36 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 205-A — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 1 / Chapter 10 / Section 205-A
5 §205-A. Short title
Status: in_force

This chapter will be known as and may be cited as the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act. [PL 1987, c. 307, §1 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 13210-A — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18-A / Chapter 393 / Section 13210-A
5 §13210-A. Operation, termination and dissolution of corporation
Status: in_force

1. Operation of corporation. Notwithstanding Title 13‑B, section 102, subsection 4, paragraph C , the corporation shall operate as a nonprofit corporation under Title 13‑B, section 202 consistent with its composition and broad public purposes. [PL 2025, c. 258, §5 (NEW).]

2. Prerequisites for dissolution. The corporation may not be dissolved until: A. It is terminated by the Legislature; and [PL 2025, c. 258, §5 (NEW).] B. The bonds, premium, if any, and interest have been paid or a sufficient amount for the payment of the bonds and interest to maturity or a prior redemption date have been irrevocably set aside in trust for the benefit of the bondholders. [PL 2025, c. 258, §5 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 258, §5 (NEW).]

3. Dedication of funds. The corporation's organizing document must contain a provision requiring that upon the dissolution of the corporation, all funds, assets and other property of the corporation must be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Section 501(c)(3) or distributed to the State for a public purpose. [PL 2025, c. 258, §5 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 8061 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18 / Chapter 375 / Section 8061
5 §8061. Style
Status: in_force

All rules and any other materials required by this subchapter to be provided to the public or to the Legislature shall, to the maximum extent feasible, use plain and clear English, which can readily be understood by the general public. The use of technical language shall be avoided to the greatest possible extent. [PL 1989, c. 574, §8 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 1536 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 142 / Section 1536
5 §1536. Excess General Fund revenues
Status: in_force

1. Final priority reserves. After the transfers to the State Contingent Account pursuant to section 1507 , the transfers to the Loan Insurance Reserve pursuant to section 1511 , the transfers pursuant to section 1522 , a transfer of $2,500,000 for the Reserve for General Fund Operating Capital and the transfers to the Retiree Health Insurance Internal Service Fund pursuant to section 1519 , the State Controller shall transfer at the close of each fiscal year from the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund an amount equal to the amount available from the unappropriated surplus after all required deductions of appropriations, budgeted financial commitments and adjustments considered necessary by the State Controller have been made as follows: A. Eighty percent to the stabilization fund; and [PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. L, §8 (AMD).] B. [PL 2013, c. 1, Pt. E, §2 (RP).] C. [PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. L, §8 (RP).] D. [PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. L, §8 (RP).] E. [PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. L, §8 (RP).] F. [PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. ZZZ, §2 (RP).] G. Twenty percent to the Highway and Bridge Capital program, Other Special Revenue Funds account. [PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. ZZZ, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. ZZZ, §§2, 3 (AMD).]

2. Additional transfer. At the close of each fiscal year, the State Controller shall transfer from the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund to the stabilization fund an amount equal to the balance remaining of the excess of total General Fund revenue received over accepted estimates in that fiscal year that would have been transferred to the Reserve for General Fund Operating Capital pursuant to subsection 1 had the Reserve for General Fund Operating Capital not been at its statutory limit of $50,000,000. [PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. L, §8 (AMD).]

3. Exceptions; stabilization fund at limit. If the stabilization fund is at its limit of 18% of General Fund revenue of the immediately preceding year, then amounts that would otherwise have been transferred to the stabilization fund pursuant to subsections 1 and 2 must be transferred to the Highway and Bridge Capital program, Other Special Revenue Funds account. [PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. ZZZ, §4 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 1748 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 153 / Section 1748
5 §1748. Procedure if answers unsatisfactory
Status: in_force

Whenever the public official is not satisfied with the sufficiency of the answers contained in such standard questionnaire and the financial statement of such persons, he may refuse to furnish such persons with plans and specifications on public work duly advertised, and the bid of any person to whom plans and specifications have not been issued may be disregarded.
5 M.R.S. § 20076-B — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 25 / Chapter 521 / Section 20076-B
5 §20076-B. Fees
Status: in_force

The department shall set fees in accordance with the cost of each program. All fees must be transferred to the General Fund. The department may waive all or part of any fee for a client who provides sufficient evidence of inability to pay. [PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. AA, §51 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 12011 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18 / Chapter 379 / Section 12011
5 §12011. Duty of Secretary of State
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State shall compile and maintain a current list of all boards in State Government, including the name of the board, the names of its members, positions in State Government held by any member, any vacancies, the date of the board's last reported meeting, its most recent reported expenditures on members' compensation and expenses and what other information the Secretary of State determines necessary. The list compiled under this section must at a minimum include all of the boards listed in this chapter. [PL 1991, c. 844, §4 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 18306-A — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 425 / Section 18306-A
5 §18306-A. Refund of accumulated contributions
Status: in_force

1. Conditions for refund. If the service of any member has terminated, except by death or by retirement under this Part, or if an employee of a district that withdraws from participation under section 18203 wishes to have accumulated contributions refunded, the member or employee must be paid the amount of the member's accumulated contributions under the following conditions: A. The member must have properly applied for a refund of accumulated contributions; [PL 2007, c. 137, §21 (NEW).] B. Payment must be made after termination of service and not more than 60 days after receipt of the application and receipt of the last payroll upon which the name of the member appears; [PL 2025, c. 221, §35 (AMD).] C. An application for refund is void if the member filing the application returns to membership in any retirement program administered by the retirement system before issuance of the payment; [PL 2007, c. 491, §218 (AMD).] D. Except when inclusion of a portion of employer contributions is required by paragraph E , only accumulated contributions made by the member or picked up by the employer may be refunded to that member under this section; and [PL 2007, c. 695, Pt. A, §9 (AMD).] E. The amount of the refund of accumulated contributions related to a member's compensation for service rendered as a part-time, seasonal or temporary employee after December 31, 1991 must be at least equal to 7.5% of the member's compensation for that service plus interest as provided by section 17156 . [PL 2007, c. 137, §21 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 221, §35 (AMD).]
5 M.R.S. § 13120-D — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18-A / Chapter 383 / Section 13120-D
5 §13120-D. Board of trustees; appointment; chair; employees
Status: in_force

1. Membership. The authority is governed by a board of trustees comprised of 7 voting members as follows: A. Five members appointed by the Governor and subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over economic development matters and to confirmation by the Senate; and [PL 2001, c. 703, §6 (NEW).] B. Two ex officio members: (1) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or the commissioner's designee; and (2) The Chief Executive Officer of the Finance Authority of Maine or the chief executive officer's designee. [PL 2005, c. 425, §13 (AMD).] [PL 2005, c. 425, §13 (AMD).]

2. Terms of office. Members appointed by the Governor are appointed for 4-year terms except that, for initial appointments, one member is appointed to a 2-year term, 2 members to 3-year terms and 2 members to 4-year terms. A member continues to hold office until a successor is appointed and qualified, but the term of the successor is not altered from the original expiration date of the holdover member's term. [PL 2001, c. 703, §6 (NEW).]

3. Limitation on terms; removal. Except for the ex officio members, a member of the authority may serve no more than 2 full consecutive terms. Any member of the board may be removed by the Governor for cause. [PL 2001, c. 703, §6 (NEW).]

4. Administration. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall serve as chair of the board of trustees. The board of trustees shall elect one member as vice-chair, who shall serve as secretary, one member as treasurer and such other officers as the board of trustees may from time to time consider necessary. [PL 2003, c. 281, §2 (AMD).]

5. Meetings; compensation. All the powers of the authority may be exercised by the board of trustees in lawful meeting and a majority of the members is necessary for a quorum. Regular meetings of the board of trustees may be established by bylaw and no notice need be given to the members of the regular meeting. Each member is compensated according to the provisions of chapter 379 . [PL 2001, c. 703, §6 (NEW).]

6. Limitation of liability. A member of the board of trustees of the authority or an employee of the authority may not be subject to any personal liability for having acted within the course and scope of that person's membership or employment to carry out any power or duty under this subchapter. The authority shall indemnify any member of the authority, any member of any board of the authority and any employee of the authority against expenses actually and necessarily incurred by that person in connection with the defense of any action or proceeding in which that person is made a party by reason of past or present association with the authority. [PL 2001, c. 703, §6 (NEW).]

7. Employees. The authority may employ an executive director and such other technical experts, agents and employees, permanent and temporary, that it requires and may determine their qualifications, duties and compensation. Permanent employees of the authority are eligible to elect to participate in the Maine Public Employees Retirement System, the state employee health plan under section 285 , any state-deferred compensation plan or any other plan or program adopted by the members to the extent the members may determine. For required legal services, the authority may employ or retain its own counsel and legal staff. [PL 2003, c. 281, §3 (AMD); PL 2007, c. 58, §3 (REV).]

8. Establishment and operating expenses. The department shall pay the expenses that are reasonable and necessary to the establishment of the authority. Following its establishment, the operations and related expenses of the authority are subject to the availability of funding as provided in section 13120‑F . [PL 2001, c. 703, §6 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 131 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 1 / Chapter 7 / Section 131
5 §131. Departmental collections
Status: in_force

1. Departmental collections; immediate payment to State Treasury. A department or agency of the State collecting or receiving public money, or money from any source whatsoever, belonging to or for the use of the State, or for the use of any state department or agency, shall pay the money immediately into the State Treasury, without any deductions on account of salaries, fees, costs, charges, expenses, refunds, claims or demands of any description whatsoever. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands may refund daily use and camping fees based on the bureau's standard refund policies. A department or agency may deposit such money to the credit of the State upon communicating with the Treasurer of State and receiving from the Treasurer of State instructions as to what state depository may be used for that purpose, and in every such case the depositor shall send to the Treasurer of State a statement of the deposits certified by the bank receiving it. This section does not apply to county or town officers. [PL 2019, c. 326, §1 (NEW).]

2. Certain payments not immediate. Notwithstanding subsection 1 , payments from a department or agency of the State made to the State Treasury through the use of automated procedures, electronic processes and computer‑driven technology must be deposited in the State Treasury in accordance with the requirements established in rules adopted by the Treasurer of State and the State Controller. The Treasurer of State and the State Controller shall adopt rules to implement this subsection, including rules outlining procedures for the use of automated procedures, electronic processes and computer‑driven technology for the collection of these payments pursuant to this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection may not waive prohibitions against deductions on account of salaries, fees, costs, charges, expenses, refunds, claims or demands of any description whatsoever. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. VV, §1 (AMD).]

3. Private counsel contingent fee agreements. Notwithstanding subsection 1 or any provision of law to the contrary, the Attorney General may employ private counsel on a contingent fee basis and may deduct from funds recovered by private counsel on behalf of the State such amounts as the Attorney General determines are due and owed under the terms of a contingent fee agreement and remit such amounts to private counsel. [PL 2021, c. 392, §1 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 1541 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 143 / Section 1541
5 §1541. Powers and duties relating to accounting
Status: repealed

The Department of Administrative and Financial Services, through the Office of the State Controller, has authority: [PL 2003, c. 600, §2 (AMD).]

1. Official system of general accounts. To maintain an official system of general accounts, unless otherwise provided by law, embracing all the financial transactions of the State Government;

2. Approve contracts and orders. To examine and approve all contracts, orders and other documents, the purpose of which is to incur financial obligations against the State Government, to ascertain that moneys have been duly appropriated and allotted to meet such obligations and will be available when such obligations will become due and payable;

3. Audit. To audit and approve bills, invoices, accounts, payrolls and all other evidences of claims, demands or charges against the State Government; and to determine the regularity, legality and correctness of such claims, demands or charges. The State Controller may elect to audit electronically based systems for adequate safeguards and procedural controls. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Controller may engage through sole source contracts auditors, accountants and investigators the State Controller considers necessary for special audits, financial audits and investigations to monitor and ensure adherence to contracts and to ensure proper financial controls. This subsection may not be construed to limit the powers and duties conferred and imposed by law upon the State Auditor as provided in Title 5, chapter 11 ; [PL 2005, c. 3, Pt. L, §1 (AMD).]

4. Inspect materials and labor. To inquire into and cause an inspection to be made of articles and materials furnished, or work and labor performed, for the purpose of ascertaining that the prices, quality and amount of such articles or materials are fair, just and reasonable, and that all the requirements expressed or implied pertaining thereto have been complied with, and to reject or disallow any excess;

5. Reports. To make monthly reports on all receipts and expenditures of the State Government to the Governor and the State Auditor; to make monthly reports on appropriations, allotments, encumbrances and authorized payments to the Governor, to the State Auditor and to the head of the department or agency directly concerned;

6. Forms. To prescribe the forms of receipts, vouchers, bills or claims to be filed by departments and agencies with the Department of Administrative and Financial Services; [PL 2007, c. 466, Pt. A, §10 (AMD).]

7. Subsidiary accounts. To prescribe such subsidiary accounts, including cost accounts, for the various departments and agencies as may be desired for the purposes of administration, supervision and financial control;

8. Examine accounts. To examine the accounts of every department or agency receiving appropriations from the State;

9. Illegality of expenditures. To report to the Attorney General for such action, civil or criminal, as the Attorney General considers necessary, all facts showing illegality in the expenditure of public money or the misappropriation of public properties; [PL 2025, c. 390, Pt. A, §8 (AMD).]

10. Other rights, powers and duties. To exercise the rights, powers and duties conferred and imposed by law upon the State Auditor that were effective November 9, 1931 insofar as these relate to financial administration and general accounting control of the State Government, involving the keeping of general accounts, the auditing before payment of bills or vouchers and the authorizing of all claims against the State for which appropriations have been made. The State Controller may delegate authority for final approval of bills and vouchers to state agencies subject to adequate safeguards. This delegation of authority may be revoked by the State Controller at any time. The State Controller shall set up and maintain special accounts with respect to money received for designated purposes from the Federal Government. [PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. C, §1 (AMD).]

10-A. Internal control standards. To implement the following internal control standards that define the minimum level of quality acceptable for internal control systems in operation throughout the various state agencies and departments and constitute the criteria against which such internal control systems must be evaluated by the State Controller. Internal control systems for the various state agencies and departments must be developed in accordance with the following internal control guidelines established by the State Controller. A. Internal control systems of state agencies and departments are to be clearly documented and readily available for examination. Documentation of a state agency's or department's internal control systems must include internal control procedures, internal control accountability systems and identification of the operating cycles. Documentation of the state agency's or department's internal control systems must appear in management directives, administrative policy, procedures and manuals. [PL 2003, c. 451, Pt. F, §1 (NEW).] B. All transactions and other significant events involving state agencies or departments must be promptly recorded, clearly documented and properly classified as to amount, account, fund and fiscal year. Documentation of a transaction or event must include the entire process or life cycle of the transaction or event, including the initiation or authorization of the transaction or event, all aspects of the transaction while in process and the classification in the accounting records. [PL 2003, c. 451, Pt. F, §1 (NEW).] C. Transactions and other significant events involving state agencies or departments may be authorized and executed only by persons acting within the scope of their authority. Authorizations must be clearly communicated to managers and employees and must include the specific conditions and terms under which authorizations may be made. [PL 2003, c. 451, Pt. F, §1 (NEW).] D. Key duties and responsibilities involving state agencies or departments, including authorizing, approving and recording transactions; issuing and receiving assets; making payments; and reviewing or monitoring transactions, must be assigned systematically to a number of individuals to ensure that effective checks and balances exist. [PL 2003, c. 451, Pt. F, §1 (NEW).] E. Qualified and continuous supervision of all transactions and significant events must be provided by state agencies or departments to ensure that internal control objectives are achieved. The duties of a supervisor in carrying out this responsibility include clearly communicating the duties, responsibilities and accountabilities assigned to each staff member, systematically reviewing each member's work to the extent necessary and approving work at critical points to ensure that work flows as intended. [PL 2003, c. 451, Pt. F, §1 (NEW).] F. Access to resources and records must be limited to authorized individuals as determined by the state agency or department head, except that the powers and duties of the State Auditor may not be limited by this subsection. Restrictions on access to resources depend upon the vulnerability of the resource and the perceived risk of loss, both of which must be periodically assessed. The state agency or department head is responsible for maintaining accountability for the custody and use of resources and shall assign qualified individuals for that purpose. Periodic comparison must be made between the resources and the recorded accountability of the resources to reduce the risk of unauthorized use or loss and protect against waste and wrongful acts. The vulnerability and value of the state agency or department resources determine the frequency of this comparison. Within each state agency or department there must be a qualified employee whose responsibility, in addition to the employee's regularly assigned duties, is to ensure that the state agency or department has written documentation of its internal accounting and administrative control system on file. The employee shall, annually, or more often as conditions warrant, evaluate the effectiveness of the state agency's or department's internal control system and establish and implement changes necessary to ensure the continued integrity of the system. The employee shall: (1) Ensure that the documentation of all internal control systems is readily available for examination by the State Controller, Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services and State Auditor; (2) Certify to the State Controller that the appropriate updates have been made and implemented by the state agency or department; (3) Ensure that the results of audits and recommendations to improve state agency or department internal controls are promptly evaluated by the state agency or department management; (4) Ensure that timely and appropriate corrective actions are effected by the state agency or department management in response to an audit; (5) Ensure that all actions determined by the state agency or department management as necessary to correct or otherwise resolve matters are addressed by the state agency or department in its budgetary request to the Legislature; and (6) Immediately notify the State Controller when an auditor, inspector general or other representative from the Federal Government or another nonstate organization requests access to state agency resources and records related to internal controls. The State Controller shall notify the State Auditor, the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability and other interested parties of the audits and investigations in a timely manner. All unaccounted for variances, losses, shortages or thefts of funds or property must be immediately reported to the State Controller, who shall review the matter to determine the amount involved that must be reported to the appropriate state agency or department management, law enforcement officials and the State Auditor. The State Controller shall also determine the internal control weakness that contributed to or caused the condition. The State Controller shall then make recommendations to the state agency or department official overseeing the internal control system and other appropriate management officials. The recommendations of the State Controller must address the correction of the conditions found and the necessary internal control policies and procedures that must be modified. The state agency or department oversight official and the appropriate management officials shall immediately implement policies and procedures necessary to prevent a recurrence of the problems identified and report the steps taken to the State Controller. From time to time the State Controller shall examine the policies and procedures implemented to ensure that the relevant policies and procedures are functioning appropriately. [PL 2005, c. 490, §1 (AMD).] G. Notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to confidentiality of information, the State Controller is granted access to all information in the files of any department or agency of the State as necessary to carry out the duties of the State Controller under this subsection; [PL 2003, c. 451, Pt. F, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2005, c. 490, §1 (AMD).]

10-B. Confidentiality of internal audit working papers belonging to the Office of the State Controller. Prior to the release of a final audit or investigation report and in the sole discretion of the State Controller, to disclose internal audit working papers to the department, commission or agency subject to the audit or investigation and to other auditors or law enforcement when such disclosure will not prejudice the audit or investigation. Except as provided in this subsection, internal audit working papers are confidential and may not be disclosed to any person. After release of the final audit or investigation report, internal audit working papers may be released as necessary to: A. The department, commission or agency that was subject to the audit or investigation; [PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. S, §1 (NEW).] B. A federal agency providing a grant to the audited entity; [PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. S, §1 (NEW).] C. Law enforcement agencies for the purpose of criminal law enforcement or investigations; and [PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. S, §1 (NEW).] D. Other auditors in their work, including but not limited to the State Auditor; [PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. S, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. S, §1 (NEW).]

11. Definition. The words, "the State Government," as used in this section shall include the judiciary and the Executive Department of the Governor. [PL 1967, c. 427, §3 (NEW).]

12. Central data procession service. [PL 1975, c. 322, §2 (RP).]

12-A. Conference fee accounts. [PL 1995, c. 316, §1 (RP).]

13. Travel expense reimbursement. Through the State Controller, with the approval of the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services, to establish policies for travel expense reimbursement and carrying out this chapter. Those policies determining which expenses are reimbursable and levels of reimbursement are deemed rules, and must be adopted, modified and repealed, only in accordance with procedures set forth in the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title 5, chapter 375 . A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a state agency, as defined in section 8002, subsection 2 , may not authorize reimbursement for travel by any person at a rate greater than the rate established in section 8 for state employees, except that a community action agency as defined in Title 22, section 5321 and the Maine State Housing Authority may reimburse at a greater rate if: (1) The employee of the agency being reimbursed is not a state employee for the purpose of collective bargaining; (2) The source of funds to pay for the reimbursement for travel is a nonstate source, including funds from a federal agency that are passed through the State for distribution; and (3) The rate of reimbursement for travel does not exceed the standard mileage rate for that year, as established by the United States Department of Treasury. [PL 1997, c. 601, §1 (AMD).] [PL 1997, c. 601, §1 (AMD).]

14. Fixed assets. To maintain an official statewide system for fixed assets for all state agencies to update and reconcile annually. [PL 1997, c. 90, §1 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 2025 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 164 / Section 2025
5 §2025. Indirect transfer of state funds
Status: in_force

A local governmental entity, when purchasing information or communications technology or services or entering into a contract for goods or services, shall take all reasonable steps to ensure state funds are not indirectly transferred to a company on the list of prohibited companies maintained by the Chief Information Officer pursuant to section 2022, subsection 1 . [PL 2023, c. 681, §1 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 12002-B — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18 / Chapter 379 / Section 12002-B
5 §12002-B. Compensation of board members
Status: in_force

Members of boards shall be paid a legislative per diem, another specified daily rate of compensation, a salary, expenses only or no compensation, as established for each board in sections 12004‑A to 12004‑L . Any board for which a legislative per diem, another specified daily rate of compensation or a salary is specified shall also be authorized to receive expenses as provided in section 12002‑A . If the rate of compensation specifies expenses only, the member shall receive expenses as provided in section 12002‑A . If the rate of compensation specifies "not authorized," the member shall receive no compensation or expenses. [PL 1989, c. 503, Pt. B, §26 (AMD).]

1. Payment of compensation. The legislative per diem or any other specified daily rate of compensation or annual rate of compensation, as specified in sections 12004‑A to 12004‑K , may be paid only for a member's: A. Actual attendance at meetings of the board within the State called by the chair or by a majority of the members of the board; [PL 1989, c. 503, Pt. B, §27 (AMD).] B. Actual attendance at public hearings held by the board within the State to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the board; [PL 1983, c. 812, §39 (NEW).] C. Actual attendance at meetings within the State of groups advisory to the board; or [PL 1983, c. 812, §39 (NEW).] D. Participation in official business of the board required by law or by rule of the board or a procedure which is necessary to fulfill the statutory responsibilities of the board, but shall not include any of the prohibited activities as defined in subsection 2 . [PL 1985, c. 295, §7 (RPR).] [PL 1989, c. 503, Pt. B, §27 (AMD).]

1-A. Payments of compensation for written decisions. A daily rate of compensation may be paid to the following persons for the preparation of a written decision of the board: A. The chair of any board who is required by law to prepare and issue a written decision of the board; and [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §88 (COR).] B. A member of the board who has been assigned to serve as a hearing examiner in an adjudicatory proceeding. [PL 1985, c. 295, §8 (NEW).] The payment of compensation as provided in this subsection shall be provided only in the event that a statutorily required written decision cannot be prepared at a meeting or hearing of the board and shall not exceed the payment of 5 days of compensation for the preparation and issue of a written decision. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §88 (COR).]

2. Prohibition of payment of compensation. No daily, hourly or annual rate of compensation may be paid to any board member for any of the following: A. Preparation or review of materials for any meetings or hearings of any board, unless the member is preparing or reviewing materials in the member's capacity as the assigned hearing examiner in an adjudicatory proceeding; [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §89 (COR).] B. Completion of work, except as provided in subsection 1‑A , following meetings or hearings of the board; [PL 1985, c. 295, §9 (NEW).] C. Lobbying activities; [PL 1985, c. 295, §9 (NEW).] D. Attendance at meetings or conferences held out of state, unless attendance is mandatory for training purposes or for maintaining qualifications in order to remain on the board, exclusive of a member's professional or occupational requirements and the required training is not available within the State. Compensation may be paid to any board member for attendance at meetings out of state for the purpose of securing an approval by the Federal Government or another state government which the board is required to seek and a rate of compensation is not paid by the Federal Government or other state government to the board member for attendance at these meetings; and [PL 1985, c. 295, §9 (NEW).] E. Any activity for which approval has not been granted by the chair, a person authorized by statute to give approval or a majority of the board members. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §90 (COR).] [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §§89, 90 (COR).]
5 M.R.S. § 178 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 1 / Chapter 7-A / Section 178
5 §178. Maine Retirement Savings Program Enterprise Fund
Status: in_force

1. Fund established. The Maine Retirement Savings Program Enterprise Fund is established as an enterprise fund. The board shall use funds deposited in the enterprise fund in accordance with this section. The enterprise fund may receive grants, gifts, donations, appropriations, loans or other funds designated for administrative expenses or otherwise transferred to the enterprise fund from or deposited in the enterprise fund by the State or a unit of federal, state or local government or any other person, firm, partnership or corporation, including appropriations to the enterprise fund by the Legislature and funds from the payment of application, account, administrative or other fees and the payment of other funds due the board. Interest or other investment earnings or returns that are attributable to funds in the enterprise fund must be deposited into or retained in the enterprise fund. The enterprise fund may not lapse but must be carried forward to carry out the purposes of this chapter. [PL 2023, c. 167, §11 (AMD).]

2. Borrowing. To enable or facilitate the start-up and continuing operation, maintenance, administration and management of the program until the program accumulates sufficient balances and can generate sufficient funding through fees assessed on program accounts for the program to become financially self-sustaining, the board may borrow from the State, any unit of federal, state or local government or any other person, firm, partnership or corporation working capital funds and other funds as may be necessary for this purpose, as long as such funds are borrowed in the name of the program and board only and that any such borrowing is repaid solely from the revenues of the program. The board may not borrow from the retirement system for any purpose. The board may enter into long-term procurement contracts with one or more financial or service providers that provide a fee structure that would assist the program in avoiding or minimizing the need to borrow or to rely upon general assets of the State. [PL 2021, c. 356, §1 (NEW).]

3. Administrative costs. Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, the State may pay administrative costs associated with the creation, maintenance, operation and management of the program and provide funding for the program until sufficient assets are available in the enterprise fund for that purpose. Thereafter, all administrative costs of the enterprise fund must be repaid only out of money on deposit in the enterprise fund. However, private funds or federal funding received in order to implement the program until the enterprise fund is self-sustaining may not be repaid unless those funds were offered contingent upon the promise of such repayment. [PL 2023, c. 167, §12 (AMD).]

4. Use of enterprise fund. The board shall use the money in the enterprise fund solely to pay the administrative costs and expenses of the program and the administrative costs and expenses the board incurs in the performance of its duties under this chapter. [PL 2021, c. 356, §1 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 17711-A — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 423 / Section 17711-A
5 §17711-A. Forest rangers; members hired after July 1, 1992
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding section 17711 , a forest ranger in the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Forestry hired after July 1, 1992 shall contribute to the State Employee and Teacher Retirement Program at a rate of 1% of earnable compensation in addition to the contribution required under section 17711 . [PL 2007, c. 491, §127 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §§5, 7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §23 (REV).]
5 M.R.S. § 1550 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 143 / Section 1550
5 §1550. Conference fee accounts
Status: in_force

If a state agency conducts a conference, workshop or seminar for which fees are charged to defray the costs of the conference, workshop or seminar, including information disseminated at these programs, the state agency must establish an account for the sole purpose of receiving and expending reasonable fees for the operation of the conference, workshop or seminar. Conference fee accounts are subject to the following. [PL 1995, c. 316, §2 (NEW).]

1. Prior approval required. Any conference fee account must receive prior approval by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services through the Office of the State Controller. [PL 1995, c. 316, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 600, §4 (REV).]

2. Certain uses prohibited. Expenditures from the personal services category and transfers to other accounts are not permitted from a conference fee account. Any item, equipment or other property purchased from the capital expenditure category is state property. [PL 1995, c. 316, §2 (NEW).]

3. Account balance to carry forward once. At the end of the fiscal year, any balance remaining for a given event may carry forward once and other balances lapse to the General Fund undedicated revenue. [PL 1995, c. 316, §2 (NEW).]

4. Misapplication from a conference fee account. A person is guilty of misapplication from a conference fee account if that person intentionally or knowingly violates any of the restrictions contained in this section. Misapplication from a conference fee account is a Class E crime. [PL 1995, c. 316, §2 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 18525 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 425 / Section 18525
5 §18525. Application
Status: in_force

1. Written application. In order to receive a benefit under this article, the person must apply in writing to the chief executive officer in the format specified by the chief executive officer. A. [PL 2021, c. 277, §35 (RP); PL 2021, c. 277, §45 (AFF).] B. [PL 1997, c. 393, Pt. A, §14 (RP).] [PL 2021, c. 277, §35 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 277, §45 (AFF); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).]

2. Workers' compensation. If the incapacity upon which the application is based is a result of an injury or accident received in the line of duty, the application must include proof that the member has made application for benefits under the workers' compensation laws. [PL 1995, c. 643, §21 (AMD).]

3. Social security. [PL 2025, c. 270, §3 (RP); PL 2025, c. 270, §5 (AFF).]

4. Approval. The written application must be approved by the chief executive officer upon finding that the member has met the requirements of section 18524 . [PL 1995, c. 643, §21 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).]

5. Reapplication. A member who has had a disability retirement benefit application denied may file a new application based on the same medical conditions only if that member has had a bona fide return to service with an employer whose employees are covered by this article or chapter 423, subchapter 5, article 3‑A . If the chief executive officer finds that the member has met the requirements of section 18524 , the new application must be approved notwithstanding the earlier denial. [PL 2015, c. 392, §2 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).]
5 M.R.S. § 17910 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 20 / Chapter 423 / Section 17910
5 §17910. Voluntary return to service
Status: in_force

1. Right to reinstatement. If the beneficiary of a disability retirement benefit decides that the beneficiary is no longer incapacitated and is able to perform the duties of the beneficiary's employment position, the employer for whom the beneficiary last worked prior to becoming disabled shall reinstate the person to the first available position for which the beneficiary is qualified and that is consistent with the beneficiary's prior work experience. If a collective bargaining agreement applies to such a position, the employer may offer only a position that the beneficiary could claim by virtue of the seniority accumulated at the time of the disability. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §127 (COR).]

2. Dispute over mental or physical capacity. In the event there is a dispute between the beneficiary and the former employer over the beneficiary's mental or physical capacity to perform a specific job, at the option of the beneficiary that dispute must be resolved by the majority decision of 3 medical providers, one appointed and reimbursed by the beneficiary, one appointed and reimbursed by the employer and one appointed by the chief executive officer and reimbursed by the Maine Public Employees Retirement System. [PL 2017, c. 88, §24 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 548, §45 (REV).]

3. Termination or reduction in benefits. At the option of the former beneficiary who has returned to an employment position, the disability retirement benefit may be terminated as of the end of the first month the former beneficiary is reinstated to a position or may be subject to section 17906, subsection 3. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §128 (COR).]

4. Reinstatement of benefits. If, during the first 5 years of reinstatement, the former beneficiary again becomes disabled as a result of the medical condition for which the initial disability retirement allowance was granted and terminates employment, the Maine Public Employees Retirement System shall resume paying the disability retirement benefit payable prior to the reinstatement with all applicable cost-of-living adjustments. The Maine Public Employees Retirement System may require examinations or tests to determine whether a member's medical condition is the same as that for which disability retirement was initially granted. This provision shall apply only to state employees and teachers. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§ 5, 7 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 58, §3 (REV).]
5 M.R.S. § 454-A — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 1 / Chapter 18 / Section 454-A
5 §454-A. Powers and duties of board
Status: in_force

1. Authorize expenditures. The board may authorize any expenditure of the fund. An expenditure of funds or transfer of responsibility may be made only with the concurrence of at least 3 members of the board. [PL 1991, c. 799, §5 (NEW).]

2. Employ staff as necessary. The board may employ staff necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. [PL 1991, c. 799, §5 (NEW).]

3. Reinvestment of funds. The board may direct the Treasurer of State to reinvest any portion of the income earned by the fund with the principal of the fund. Earned income that is reinvested is not considered principal of the fund under section 455, subsection 1, paragraph B . [PL 1991, c. 799, §5 (NEW).]

4. Expenditures from excise tax revenues. The board is responsible for expenditures from excise tax revenues in accordance with Title 36, chapter 371 . The board shall reimburse municipalities for any lost property taxes pursuant to this chapter and Title 36, chapter 371 . [PL 1991, c. 799, §5 (NEW).]

5. Biennial report and annual plan. Upon appointment of the board members pursuant to section 453‑A, subsection 1 , the board shall prepare: A. A biennial report to be submitted to the Governor, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over taxation matters and to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over mining and mineral extraction matters. The report must include an audited financial statement of the fund and a listing of activities undertaken by the board in the preceding biennium. The report must be submitted 30 days prior to the convening of each first regular session of the Legislature; [PL 2025, c. 469, §3 (AMD); PL 2025, c. 469, §44 (AFF).] B. An annual general plan of expenditures and activities of the coming year. The general plan must be submitted to the Legislature for approval 30 days prior to the convening of each regular session; and [PL 2025, c. 469, §3 (AMD); PL 2025, c. 469, §44 (AFF).] C. If an incident or event requires the response of the board and the expenditure of funds by the board, a report must be made to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over taxation matters and to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over mining and mineral extraction matters within 90 days of the expenditure. [PL 2025, c. 469, §3 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 469, §44 (AFF).] [PL 2025, c. 469, §3 (AMD); PL 2025, c. 469, §44 (AFF).]
5 M.R.S. § 1502-A — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 4 / Chapter 141 / Section 1502-A
5 §1502-A. Payment priority
Status: in_force

Payments made on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and for foster care have priority over other payments and must be made without delay whether or not they are pursuant to a state plan or contract under 45 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 23. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services shall cooperate with other state agencies to accomplish priority payments. [PL 1991, c. 747, §2 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 530, Pt. A, §34 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6 (REV).]
5 M.R.S. § 13213 — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 18-A / Chapter 393 / Section 13213
5 §13213. Exemption from property tax
Status: in_force

In addition to any other basis for exemption from taxation, the corporation is exempt from property taxation imposed pursuant to Title 36, Part 2 . [PL 2025, c. 258, §7 (NEW).]
5 M.R.S. § 3360-O — ME Code / Title 5 / Part 9 / Chapter 316-B / Section 3360-O
5 §3360-O. Duties
Status: in_force

The board shall advise and assist the State in promoting and supporting the statewide creation, growth and sustainability of sexual assault forensic examiner programs. The board shall provide advice and assistance regarding training, technical assistance, standards and resources to the sexual assault forensic examiner programs. [PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. Z, §1 (NEW).]

The board may establish prerequisites applicable to persons who wish to participate in sexual assault forensic examiner training and authorize the issuance of certificates to those who complete the training. The process of sexual assault forensic examiner training and issuance of certificates under this section does not constitute a license or licensing action under chapter 375, subchapter 5 . [PL 2013, c. 68, §1 (NEW).]