PUBLIC Law, Chapter 563, An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Judicial Compensation Commission

An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Judicial Compensation Commission

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 remain among the lowest in the nation; and

Whereas, the cost-of-living adjustments should become effective July 1, 2014; 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-§2-A, as amended by PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. M, §3, is further amended to read:

2-A. Cost-of-living adjustment. Effective July 1, 1999 and every July 1st thereafter, the State Court Administrator shall adjust the salaries of the State's chief justices, chief judge, deputy chief judge, associate justices and associate judges by any percentage change in the Consumer Price Index from January 1st to December 31st of the previous year, but only to a maximum increase of 4% 3%. The State Court Administrator shall determine the cost of these adjustments; notify the State Budget Officer and the Director of the Office of Fiscal and Program Review of these costs; and include them in the Judicial Department's budget requests, as necessary. For purposes of this subsection, "Consumer Price Index" means the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: United States City Average, All items, 1967=100, as compiled by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics or, if the index is revised or superseded, the Consumer Price Index is the index represented by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as reflecting most accurately changes in the purchasing power of the dollar by consumers.

Sec. 2. 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.

Sec. 3. Judicial compensation; fiscal year 2014-15. In addition to the adjustments required in Public Law 2013, chapter 368, Part BB, section 1 and notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 4, section 4, the State Court Administrator shall adjust upward the salaries of the State's chief justices, chief judge, deputy chief judge, associate justices and associate judges by 2% on July 1, 2014.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect July 1, 2014.

Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 126th Legislature, Second Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.

SP0263 LD 725	PUBLIC Law, Chapter 563 on - Session - 126th Maine Legislature
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