PART A

Sec. A-1. 4 MRSA §122 is enacted to read:

§122.__Consumer and Commercial Division; pilot project

1.__Establishment; jurisdiction.__Beginning January 1, 2006, there is established within the Superior Court a Consumer and Commercial Division pilot project to administer business and technology disputes in a coordinated, efficient and responsive manner and to afford convenient access for consumers, entrepreneurs, attorneys, litigants and any person involved in business activities.__The Consumer and Commercial Division pilot project, referred to in this section as "the division," has jurisdiction over:

A.__Notwithstanding section 152, subsection 4 and any other provision of law to the contrary, all small claims proceedings pursuant to Title 14, chapter 738; and

B.__If at least one party is a business entity organized under the laws of this State or is a business entity with its principal place of business in this State, actions relating to, but not limited to:

(1)__The rights, duties and liabilities of equity owners, managers, officers, trustees and partners of a business entity;

(2)__The formation, sale or purchase or merger or conversion of a business entity;

(3)__Conduct invoking antitrust laws or laws governing unfair competition or interference with business or contractual relations, or agreements or arrangements among businesses or between businesses and their agents or employees restraining competition;

(4)__Commercial transactions of all kinds, including those between businesses and consumers;

(5)__Environmental claims that involve a business entity;

(6)__All matters regarding state regulatory issues of business and industry brought by any party, including consumers;