An Act Regarding the Disposition of Certain Funds Received by the Attorney General Pursuant to a Court Order or Settlement
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1414
Committee: Judiciary
Sponsors: FREDETTE
Amends: 5 MRSA §203-A

Legislative Document 
No. 1414 
H.P. 961 
House of Representatives, May 14, 2015 
An Act Regarding the Disposition of Certain Funds Received by the 
Attorney General Pursuant to a Court Order or Settlement 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative FREDETTE of Newport.  (GOVERNOR'S BILL) 
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 people of this State acting through their elected representatives in the 
Legislature should have the authority to decide how to spend money that accrues to the 
State due to certain court orders and settlements; and 
Whereas, the provisions in this legislation for the Attorney General to apply for 
reimbursement of costs incurred by the Attorney General in connection with these court 
orders and settlements must take effect as soon as possible; 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.  5 MRSA §203-A, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 532, §1 and affected by §2, is 
amended to read: 
§203-A.  Accounts established due to court orders or other settlements 
Unless specifically ordered by the court to do otherwise, the Attorney General shall 
work with the Treasurer of State to deposit any revenue or money received as a result of 
any court order, court settlement or other agreement into an other special revenue account 
of the State and all interest must be credited to the General Fund.  When, pursuant to a 
court order or settlement, the Attorney General receives money on behalf of the State that 
is specifically designated for antitrust enforcement or for enforcement of the Maine 
Unfair Trade Practices Act, the Attorney General is authorized to expend such funds for 
expert witness fees, copying of documents, transcripts and any other purpose in 
accordance with the court order may make a request to the State Budget Officer for 
reimbursement for costs incurred by the Attorney General in connection with that court 
order or settlement.  These costs are strictly limited to expenditures for expert witness 
fees, copying of documents and transcripts.  Any interest on such funds, unless otherwise 
ordered by the court, must be credited to the General Fund.  The Attorney General shall 
provide an accounting of such funds to the Legislature in a form and as determined by the 
Office of Fiscal and Program Review. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill provides that when, pursuant to a court order or settlement, the Attorney 
General receives money on behalf of the State that is specifically designated for antitrust 
enforcement or for enforcement of the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act, the Attorney 
General may make a request to the State Budget Officer for reimbursement for costs 
incurred by the Attorney General in connection with that court order or settlement.  These 
costs are strictly limited to expenditures for expert witness fees, copying of documents 
and transcripts.  Current law provides that when, pursuant to a court order or settlement, 
the Attorney General receives money that is specifically designated for antitrust 
enforcement or for enforcement of the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act, the Attorney 
General is authorized to expend these funds for expert witness fees, copying of 
documents and transcripts and any other purpose in accordance with the court order.