| | Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become | effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as | emergencies; and |
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| | Whereas, Acts of this and previous Legislatures have resulted in | certain technical errors and inconsistencies in the laws of | Maine; and |
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| | Whereas, these errors and inconsistencies create uncertainties | and confusion in interpreting legislative intent; and |
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| | Whereas, it is vitally necessary that these uncertainties and | this confusion be resolved in order to prevent any injustice or | hardship to the citizens of Maine; and |
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| | 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, |
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| Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: |
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| | Sec. 1. 4 MRSA §157, sub-§1, ķA, as amended by PL 1997, c. 10, §1, is | further amended to read: |
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| A. The Governor, subject to review by the joint standing | committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over | judiciary matters and to confirmation by the Legislature, | shall appoint to the District Court 27 31 judges. At least | one judge must be appointed from each district who is a | resident of a county in which the district lies, except that | in District 3 there must be 2 judges appointed who are | residents of a county in which the district lies; in | District 6 there must be 2 judges appointed who are | residents of a county in which the district lies; and in | District 9 there must be 2 judges appointed who are | residents of a county in which the district lies. Each | District Court Judge has a term of office of 7 years. |
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| To be eligible for appointment as a District Judge, a person | must be a member of the bar of the State. The term | "District Judge" includes the Chief Judge and Deputy Chief | Judge. |
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| | Sec. 2. 10 MRSA §1320, sub-§2-B, as repealed by PL 1999, c. 150, §9 | and amended by c. 184, §11, is repealed. |
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