An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Judicial Compensation Commission
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0725
Committee: Judiciary
Amends: 4 MRSA §4, 4 MRSA §102, 4 MRSA §157, 4 MRSA §1701

Legislative Document 
No. 725 
S.P. 263 
In Senate, February 27, 2013 
An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Judicial 
Compensation Commission 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reported by [introducer] from the Judicial Compensation Commission pursuant to the 
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 4, section 1701. 
Reference to the Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed pursuant to Joint 
Rule 218. 
DAREK M. GRANT 
Secretary of the Senate 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the 90-day period may not terminate until after the beginning of the next 
fiscal year; and 
Whereas, current salaries for members of the State's judiciary are among the lowest 
in the nation; and 
Whereas, it is the recommendation of the Judicial Compensation Commission that 
increases to judicial salaries become effective July 1, 2013; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  4 MRSA §4, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. M, §1, is further 
amended to read: 
1.  Chief justice; salary. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court is entitled 
to receive a salary, for fiscal year 1998-99 2013-14 and thereafter, of $111,000 $157,475, 
to be paid biweekly. 
Sec. 2.  4 MRSA §4, sub-§2, ¶A, as repealed and replaced by PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. 
M, §2, is amended to read: 
A.    For fiscal year 1998-99 2013-14 and thereafter, $96,000 $136,214, to be paid 
biweekly. 
Sec. 3.  4 MRSA §102, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. M, §4, is 
further amended to read: 
1.  Chief justice; salary.  The Chief Justice of the Superior Court is entitled to 
receive a salary, for fiscal year 1998-99 2013-14 and thereafter, of $94,000 $133,374, to 
be paid biweekly. 
Sec. 4.  4 MRSA §102, sub-§2, ¶A, as repealed and replaced by PL 1997, c. 643, 
Pt. M, §5, is amended to read: 
A.    For fiscal year 1998-99 2013-14 and thereafter, $90,000 $127,629, to be paid 
biweekly. 
Sec. 5.  4 MRSA §157, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. M, §7, is 
further amended to read: 
2.  Chief Judge; salary.  The Chief Judge of the District Court is entitled to receive a 
salary, for fiscal year 1998-99 2013-14 and thereafter, of $94,000 $133,374, to be paid 
biweekly. 
Sec. 6.  4 MRSA §157, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. M, §8, is 
further amended to read: 
3.  Deputy Chief Judge; salary.  The Deputy Chief Judge of the District Court is 
entitled to receive a salary, for fiscal year 1998-99 2013-14 and thereafter, of $92,000 
$130,533, to be paid biweekly. 
Sec. 7.  4 MRSA §157, sub-§4, ¶A, as repealed and replaced by PL 1997, c. 643, 
Pt. M, §9, is amended to read: 
A.    For fiscal year 1998-99 2013-14 and thereafter, $90,000 $127,629, to be paid 
biweekly. 
Sec. 8.  4 MRSA §1701, sub-§13, as amended by PL 1995, c. 509, §1 and 
affected by §8, is further amended to read: 
13.  Biennial report required.  No later than December 1st 15th of each even-
numbered year, the commission shall make its biennial report to the joint standing 
committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations matters and judicial 
matters.  The biennial report must include findings, conclusions and recommendations as 
to the proper salary and benefits, including retirement, to be paid from the State Treasury 
and other sources for all justices and judges of this State.  The commission is authorized 
to submit with its report any proposed legislation the commission determines necessary to 
implement these recommendations. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect July 1, 2013. 
SUMMARY 
This bill implements the recommendations of the Judicial Compensation 
Commission.  It increases the salary of justices in the Supreme Judicial Court, Superior 
Court and District Court to provide a cost-of-living increase equal to the amount that 
would have been awarded had statutory increases been granted in fiscal year 2003-04, 
fiscal year 2004-05, fiscal year 2010-11, fiscal year 2011-12 and fiscal year 2012-13.  It 
also changes the reporting deadline for the Judicial Compensation Commission from 
December 1st to December 15th.