reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
21-A ME Rev Stat § 553 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 8: LIMITATION OF TERMS|21-A §553. Limitations on terms

 §553. Limitations on terms Notwithstanding any other provision of law, consecutive terms in office are limited as follows.   [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]1.  State Senate.  A person may not serve more than 4 consecutive terms as a state Senator.   [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).] 2.  State Representative.  A person may not serve more than 4 consecutive terms as a member of the state House of Representatives.   [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).] 3.  Secretary of State.  A person may not serve more than 4 consecutive terms as Secretary of State.   [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).] 4.  Treasurer of State.  A person may not serve more than 4 consecutive terms as Treasurer of State.   [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).] 5.  Attorney General.  A person may not serve more than 4 consecutive terms as Attorney General.   [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).] 6.  State Auditor.  A person may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms as State Auditor.   [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).] This section applies to terms of office that begin on or after December 3, 1996.   [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]SECTION HISTORY IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW). IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 554 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 8: LIMITATION OF TERMS|21-A §554. Exclusion from nomination, election and service

 §554. Exclusion from nomination, election and service Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who is prohibited from service in an office as set forth in section 553 may not be nominated for or elected to that office. A responsible electoral official may not accept or certify such a person's nomination or nomination petition for an office subject to this chapter. A responsible electoral official may not print or cause to be printed such a person's name on a ballot, ballot label, calendar or other similar instrument for election to an office subject to this chapter. This section applies to nominations occurring and ballots printed after January 1, 1996.   [IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW); IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).]SECTION HISTORY IB 1993, c. 1, §1 (NEW). IB 1993, c. 1, §2 (AFF).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 901-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 11: BALLOT QUESTIONS|21-A §901-A. Petition requirements for direct initiatives of legislation

 §901-A. Petition requirements for direct initiatives of legislation The following provisions apply to direct initiatives of legislation under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18.   [PL 2005, c. 356, §1 (NEW).]1.  Opportunity to read direct initiative summary.  A person circulating a petition must provide the voter the opportunity to read the proposed direct initiative summary and fiscal impact statement required by section 901 prior to that voter signing the petition. The summary presented to the voter must be as it appears on a publicly accessible website established by the Secretary of State.   [PL 2009, c. 341, §5 (AMD).] 2.  Required statements; placement of information.  On each page of a petition that contains space intended for voter signatures, the Secretary of State shall include a space at the top right or left corner of each such page to be submitted to the voters, which must be filled in with the name of the circulator collecting signatures on that petition and a unique identifying number, and include the fiscal impact of the initiative as described in Title 1, section 353 directly below the following statement at the top of the petition in a type size of no less than 16 points:"Freedom of Citizen Information: Before a registered voter signs any initiative petition, signature gatherers must offer the voter the opportunity to read the proposed initiative summary and fiscal impact statement prepared by the Secretary of State."  [PL 2009, c. 611, §1 (AMD).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2005, c. 356, §1 (NEW). PL 2007, c. 234, §4 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 341, §5 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 611, §1 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 902 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 11: BALLOT QUESTIONS|21-A §902. Verification and certification

 §902. Verification and certification The verification and certification of the petition as required by the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 20 must be worded so that a single verification or certification may cover one or more pages fastened together as a single petition.   [PL 2017, c. 277, §4 (AMD).]The petitions must be signed in the same manner as are nonparty nomination petitions under section 354, subsections 3 and 4. The circulator of a petition must sign the petition and verify by oath or affirmation before a notary public or other person authorized by law to administer oaths or affirmations that the circulator personally witnessed all of the signatures to the petition and that to the best of the circulator's knowledge and belief each signature is the signature of the person whose name it purports to be and that each signature authorized under section 153-A was made by the authorized signer in the presence and at the direction of the voter. After administering the oath to the circulator, the notary public or other authorized person must sign the notarial certificate on the petition while in the presence of the circulator. After the petition is signed and verified in this manner, the petition must be submitted to the registrar for certification in accordance with the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 20. If the petitions submitted to the registrar are not signed and verified in accordance with this paragraph, the registrar may not certify the petitions and is required only to return the petitions. The clerk or registrar shall keep a log of petitions submitted to the municipal office for verification. The log must contain the title of the petition, the name of the person submitting the petition, the date of submission, the number of petition forms submitted and the date and manner by which the petitions were returned. The notary public or other authorized person who administered the oath to the circulator must keep a log of petitions for which that person administered the circulator's oath, listing the title of the petition, the name of the circulator taking the oath, the date of the oath and the number of petition forms signed and verified by the circulator that day.   [PL 2017, c. 277, §4 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1997, c. 581, §5 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 611, §2 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 342, §31 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 277, §4 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 902-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 11: BALLOT QUESTIONS|21-A §902-A. Copies of petitions required

 §902-A. Copies of petitions required If the registrar or clerk suspects that a petition was submitted in violation of any provision of this chapter, the registrar or clerk shall immediately notify the Secretary of State and provide a copy of the petition to the Secretary of State.   [PL 2009, c. 611, §3 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 2009, c. 611, §3 (NEW).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 903 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 11: BALLOT QUESTIONS|21-A §903. Instructions to be printed on

 §903. Instructions to be printed on The Secretary of State shall prepare complete instructions to inform the clerk and the signer or circulator of a petition of the statutory and constitutional requirements. The instructions must specify the conditions which have been held to invalidate either individual signatures or complete petitions. The instructions must be printed in bold type or capital letters on the petition.   [PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 903-C (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 11: BALLOT QUESTIONS|21-A §903-C. Direct initiative and people's veto petition organization required to be registered

 §903-C. Direct initiative and people's veto petition organization required to be registered A petition organization shall register with the Secretary of State in accordance with this section. For the purposes of this section, "petition organization" means a business entity that receives compensation for organizing, supervising or managing the circulation of petitions for a direct initiative of legislation or a people's veto referendum.   [PL 2009, c. 611, §4 (NEW).]1.  Registration.  Prior to organizing, supervising or managing the circulation of petitions for a direct initiative of legislation or a people's veto referendum, a petition organization, in addition to meeting any other requirement to transact business in this State, shall register with the Secretary of State on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State. The registration form must include the following:   A. The ballot question or title of each direct initiative of legislation or people's veto referendum for which the petition organization will receive compensation;   [PL 2009, c. 611, §4 (NEW).]B. Contact information for the petition organization, including the name of the petition organization, street address or post office box, telephone number and e-mail address;   [PL 2015, c. 99, §2 (AMD).]C. The name and signature of a designated agent for the petition organization; and   [PL 2015, c. 99, §2 (AMD).]D. A list containing the names of all individuals hired by the petition organization to assist in circulating petitions or in organizing, supervising or managing the circulation. The list must include a statement indicating the method by which the individuals hired to assist in circulating petitions are being compensated. The list must be updated and resubmitted to the Secretary of State when the petitions are filed pursuant to the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 17 or 18.   [PL 2019, c. 456, §2 (AMD).]The information contained in the registration form must be made available for public inspection and must be posted on the publicly accessible website of the Secretary of State.   [PL 2019, c. 456, §2 (AMD).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2009, c. 611, §4 (NEW). PL 2015, c. 99, §2 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 456, §2 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 903-D (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 11: BALLOT QUESTIONS|21-A §903-D. Notaries public (REPEALED)

 §903-D. Notaries public (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 2017, c. 277, §5 (NEW). PL 2017, c. 418, §2 (RP).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 903-E (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 11: BALLOT QUESTIONS|21-A §903-E. Persons not authorized to administer an oath or affirmation to a petition circulator

 §903-E. Persons not authorized to administer an oath or affirmation to a petition circulator 1.  Certain notaries public and others.  A notary public or other person authorized by law to administer oaths or affirmations generally is not authorized to administer an oath or affirmation to the circulator of a petition under section 902 if the notary public or other generally authorized person is:   A. Providing any other services, regardless of compensation, to initiate the direct initiative or people's veto referendum for which the petition is being circulated. For the purposes of this paragraph, "initiate" has the same meaning as section 1052, subsection 4-B; or   [PL 2017, c. 418, §3 (NEW).]B. Providing services other than notarial acts, regardless of compensation, to promote the direct initiative or people's veto referendum for which the petition is being circulated.   [PL 2017, c. 418, §3 (NEW).][PL 2017, c. 418, §3 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2017, c. 418, §3 (NEW).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 904 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 11: BALLOT QUESTIONS|21-A §904. Violations and penalties

 §904. Violations and penalties A person commits a Class E crime if that person:   [PL 2007, c. 455, §53 (RPR).]1.  False swearing; signature.  Circulates an initiative or referendum petition and swears that a signature is that of a person whose name it purports to be when the circulator knows that the signature is not that of the person;   [PL 2007, c. 455, §53 (RPR).] 2.  False acknowledgement of oath.  Is authorized by law to administer oaths and willfully and falsely acknowledges the oath of a circulator of an initiative or referendum petition when that oath was not made in the presence of that person;   [PL 2007, c. 455, §53 (RPR).] 3.  False signature.  Knowingly signs an initiative or referendum petition with a name other than the person's own name;   [PL 2007, c. 455, §53 (RPR).] 4.  Duplicate signature.  Knowingly signs the person's name more than once on initiative or referendum petitions for the same measure;   [PL 2019, c. 456, §3 (AMD).] 5.  False swearing; signature made in circulator's presence.  Circulates an initiative or referendum petition and willfully swears that a signature to the petition was made in the circulator's presence when it was not; or   [PL 2019, c. 456, §4 (AMD).] 6.  Failure to truthfully execute and file circulator affidavit.  Knowingly fails to truthfully execute and timely file a circulator affidavit under section 903‑A, subsection 4.   [PL 2019, c. 456, §5 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 2007, c. 455, §53 (RPR). PL 2019, c. 456, §§3-5 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 904-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 11: BALLOT QUESTIONS|21-A §904-A. Payment per signature; prohibition (REPEALED)

 §904-A. Payment per signature; prohibition (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1993, c. 599, §1 (NEW). PL 1997, c. 61, §1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 516, §19 (RP).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 904-B (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 11: BALLOT QUESTIONS|21-A §904-B. Payment for signature; prohibition

 §904-B. Payment for signature; prohibition A circulator of an initiative or a referendum petition or a person who causes the circulation of an initiative or referendum petition may not pay or offer to pay any compensation to a person for the person's signature on the initiative or referendum petition.   [PL 1993, c. 599, §2 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1993, c. 599, §2 (NEW).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 905-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 11: BALLOT QUESTIONS|21-A §905-A. Public comment on initiative questions

 §905-A. Public comment on initiative questions No later than 10 business days after the Legislature adjourns sine die, the Secretary of State shall give public notice of a proposed ballot question for any initiative that will be submitted to the voters at the next statewide election or special election by posting all proposed ballot questions on the Secretary of State's publicly accessible website. The Secretary of State may also publish notice for one day in newspapers having general circulation in the State. After giving public notice of a proposed ballot question in accordance with this section, the Secretary of State shall provide a 30-day public comment period for the purpose of receiving comments on the content and form of proposed questions to be placed on the ballot for any pending initiatives. No later than 10 days after receiving public comments in accordance with this section and after review of those comments, the Secretary of State shall write the ballot question for any pending initiative.   [PL 2007, c. 234, §6 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 2007, c. 234, §6 (NEW).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 907 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 11: BALLOT QUESTIONS|21-A §907. Public hearing on direct initiatives

 §907. Public hearing on direct initiatives A petition for direct initiative of legislation under the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18 that is determined valid by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 905, subsection 1 and is submitted to the Legislature in accordance with the procedure established in the Constitution of Maine, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18, Subsection 1 must be afforded a public hearing conducted by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the petition or by a special legislative committee established for that purpose by the Legislative Council. The public hearing must be conducted in the same manner as other public hearings. The requirement to hold a public hearing may be waived by a vote of 2/3 of the members present in each House of the Legislature.   [PL 2019, c. 152, §1 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 2019, c. 152, §1 (NEW).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 1121 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 14: THE MAINE CLEAN ELECTION ACT|21-A §1121. Short title

 §1121. Short title This chapter may be known and cited as the "Maine Clean Election Act."   [IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 1123 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 14: THE MAINE CLEAN ELECTION ACT|21-A §1123. Alternative campaign financing option

 §1123. Alternative campaign financing option This chapter establishes an alternative campaign financing option available to candidates running for Governor, State Senator and State Representative. This alternative campaign financing option is available to candidates for elections to be held beginning in the year 2000. The commission shall administer this Act and the fund. Candidates participating in the Maine Clean Election Act must also comply with all other applicable election and campaign laws and regulations.   [IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 1126 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 14: THE MAINE CLEAN ELECTION ACT|21-A §1126. Commission to adopt rules

 §1126. Commission to adopt rules The commission shall adopt rules to ensure effective administration of this chapter. These rules must include but must not be limited to procedures for obtaining qualifying contributions, certification as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate, circumstances involving special elections, vacancies, recounts, withdrawals or replacements, collection of revenues for the fund, distribution of fund revenue to certified candidates, return of unspent fund disbursements, disposition of equipment purchased with clean election funds and compliance with the Maine Clean Election Act. Rules of the commission required by this section are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.   [PL 2001, c. 465, §7 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW). PL 2001, c. 465, §7 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 1127 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 14: THE MAINE CLEAN ELECTION ACT|21-A §1127. Violations

 §1127. Violations 1.  Civil fine.  In addition to any other penalties that may be applicable, a person who violates any provision of this chapter or rules of the commission adopted pursuant to section 1126 is subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000 per violation payable to the fund. In addition to any fine, for good cause shown, a candidate, treasurer, consultant or other agent of the candidate or the political committee authorized by the candidate pursuant to section 1013‑A, subsection 1 found in violation of this chapter or rules of the commission may be required to return to the fund all amounts distributed to the candidate from the fund or any funds not used for campaign-related purposes. If the commission makes a determination that a violation of this chapter or rules of the commission has occurred, the commission shall assess a fine or transmit the finding to the Attorney General for prosecution. A final determination by the commission may be appealed to Superior Court in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 7 and the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 80C. Fines assessed or orders for return of funds issued by the commission pursuant to this subsection that are not paid in full within 30 days after issuance of a notice of the final determination may be enforced in accordance with section 1004-B. Fines paid under this section must be deposited in the fund. In determining whether or not a candidate is in violation of the expenditure limits of this chapter, the commission may consider as a mitigating factor any circumstances out of the candidate's control.   [PL 2011, c. 558, §10 (AMD).] 2.  Class E crime.  A person who willfully or knowingly violates this chapter or rules of the commission or who willfully or knowingly makes a false statement in any report required by this chapter commits a Class E crime and, if certified as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate, must return to the fund all amounts distributed to the candidate.   [IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 81, §1 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 301, §33 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 542, §6 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 302, §23 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 558, §10 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 1128 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 14: THE MAINE CLEAN ELECTION ACT|21-A §1128. Study report

 §1128. Study report By March 15, 2011 and every 4 years after that date, the commission shall prepare for the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over legal affairs a report documenting, evaluating and making recommendations relating to the administration, implementation and enforcement of the Maine Clean Election Act and Maine Clean Election Fund.   [PL 2009, c. 190, Pt. B, §3 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY IB 1995, c. 1, §17 (NEW). PL 2009, c. 190, Pt. B, §3 (AMD).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 1201 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 15: APPORTIONMENT|21-A §1201. Apportionment of the Maine Senate, Maine House of Representatives and Maine congressional districts (REPEALED)

 §1201. Apportionment of the Maine Senate, Maine House of Representatives and Maine congressional districts (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). PL 1985, c. 506, §A40 (AMD). PL 1985, c. 614, §25 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 7, §1 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 628, §1 (RP).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 1202 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 15: APPORTIONMENT|21-A §1202. Definitions

 §1202. Definitions As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.   [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).]1.  Block.  "Block" means an area defined as a block in the United States Census for 1990. A block is the smallest census unit used in this document.   [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).] 2.  Block group.  "Block group" means an area comprising all of the blocks within a tract or BNA whose census data labels begin with the same digit. There are one to 9 block groups in a tract or BNA.   [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).] 3.  Block numbering area.  "Block numbering area" or "BNA" means that area composed of blocks or block groups that is defined as a block numbering area in the United States Census for 1990.   [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).] 4.  Census unit.  "Census unit" means a block, block group, BNA or tract.   [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).] 5.  Tract.  "Tract" means that area composed of blocks or block groups that is defined as a tract in the United States Census for 1990.   [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).] 6.  United States Census for 1990.  "United States Census for 1990" means the population counts published in both printed and electronic media in March 1991 by the United States Census Bureau as the data for the State of Maine collected pursuant to Public Law 94-171.   [PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW).
21-A ME Rev Stat § 1203 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 21-A: ELECTIONS|Chapter 15: APPORTIONMENT|21-A §1203. State Senate districts (REPEALED)

 §1203. State Senate districts (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1993, c. 628, §2 (NEW). PL 1995, c. 285, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 62, §1 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 62, §§5,6 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 13, §1 (RP). PL 2005, c. 13, §3 (AFF).