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Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 4 MRSA §157, sub-§1, ¶A, as amended by PL 2005, c. 519, Pt. III, §2, is further amended to read:
 
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 3640 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. Four judges must be appointed to the District Court and assigned in a manner that ensures geographic distribution and the ability of the court to address drug-related criminal matters expeditiously. Each District Court Judge has a term of office of 7 years.
 
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.
Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF THE
 
Administration - Attorney General 0310
 
Initiative: Provides ongoing funding for 4 Assistant Attorney General positions that will be dedicated to prosecuting drug crimes.

GENERAL FUND	2013-14	2014-15	
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT	0.000	4.000	
Personal Services	$0	$327,180	
All Other	$0	$19,764	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$346,944	

ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF THE			
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2013-14	2014-15	
			
GENERAL FUND	$0	$346,944	
			
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$0	$346,944	

JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
 
Courts - Supreme, Superior and District 0063
 
Initiative: Provides funding for 4 District Court Judge positions, 4 Deputy Marshal positions and 4 Assistant Clerk positions and related costs to address drug-related criminal matters.

GENERAL FUND	2013-14	2014-15	
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT	0.000	12.000	
Personal Services	$0	$1,167,132	
All Other	$0	$111,000	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$1,278,132	

JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT			
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2013-14	2014-15	
			
GENERAL FUND	$0	$1,278,132	
			
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$0	$1,278,132	

PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF
 
Drug Enforcement Agency 0388
 
Initiative: Provides funding for 14 Investigative Agent positions from the General Fund and funding for training and costs associated with conducting investigations from Other Special Revenue Funds.

GENERAL FUND	2013-14	2014-15	
All Other	$0	$1,465,090	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$1,465,090	

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2013-14	2014-15	
All Other	$0	$227,033	
			
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$0	$227,033	

PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF			
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2013-14	2014-15	
			
GENERAL FUND	$0	$1,465,090	
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	$0	$227,033	
			
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$0	$1,692,123	

SECTION TOTALS	2013-14	2014-15	
			
GENERAL FUND	$0	$3,090,166	
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	$0	$227,033	
			
SECTION TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$0	$3,317,199	
 
’
 
SUMMARY
This amendment is a minority report. It provides that the 4 new judge positions are appointed to the District Court and assigned in a manner that ensures geographic distribution and the ability of the court to address drug-related criminal matters expeditiously.
The amendment also adds a General Fund appropriation for the appointment of the 4 new judges and their support staff.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)