An Act To Provide for Equality before the Law

Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §1107  is enacted to read:

§ 1107.  Construction of law or rule

When a court must interpret or construe a statutory provision or rule, the court may not give any deference to the department's or agency's interpretation or construction of the statute or rule.

Sec. 2. 15 MRSA §1206  is enacted to read:

§ 1206.  Construction of law or rule

When a court must interpret or construe a statutory provision or rule, the court may not give any deference to the department's or agency's interpretation or construction of the statute or rule.

SUMMARY

This bill prohibits a court when interpreting a statute or rule in a civil or criminal proceeding from giving any deference to a state department's or agency's interpretation of the statute or rule.