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LD 527

An Act To Establish Bail Officers To Administer The Maine Bail Code

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Adam Lee and 1 co-sponsor

The bill creates three Judicial Branch bail officers to set and execute bail under the Maine Bail Code, funded as ongoing General Fund positions.

Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 527

Summary of LD 527: An Act To Establish Bail Officers To Administer The Maine Bail Code

Purpose and intent

  • Create dedicated bail officers to administer the Maine Bail Code.
  • The bill envisions establishing a small cadre of officers responsible for setting and executing bail in accordance with the law, with oversight provided through the Judicial Branch.

Key provisions

  • Establishment of three bail officer positions specifically tasked with setting and executing bail under the Maine Bail Code.
  • These positions and their activities would be funded and carried out within the Judicial Branch, as indicated by the accompanying fiscal analysis.
  • The bill is designed to modernize or reorganize the handling of bail by introducing dedicated officers rather than relying solely on other components of the criminal justice system.

Fiscal impact

  • Net cost to the General Fund: ongoing appropriations to the Judicial Branch for staffing these bail officers.
    • FY 2025-26: $400,377
    • FY 2026-27: $409,398
    • FY 2027-28 (projection): $423,949
    • FY 2028-29 (projection): $439,025
  • Appropriations/Allocations: General Fund amounts aligned with the above totals to establish and sustain the three bail officer positions.
  • The fiscal note indicates these costs are ongoing, reflecting permanent positions intended to execute bail in accordance with law.

Affected parties and systems

  • Primary: Judicial Branch (creation of three bail officer positions).
  • Indirectly affects individuals involved in bail proceedings (defendants, prosecutors, defense counsel) by changing who sets and executes bail and how bail compliance is managed.
  • Implications for the Maine Bail Code administration and related criminal procedure workflows.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Introduced: February 11, 2025.
  • Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
  • March 26, 2025: Work session; divided report; committee amendment considered.
  • June 16–17, 2025: Bill advanced through standard readings with Committee Amendment "A" (H-715) adopted; passed to be engrossed as amended and sent for concurrence.
  • June 17, 2025: Passed to be enacted in concurrence; placed on the Special Appropriations Table pending enactment on concurrence.
  • June 25, 2025: Carried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
  • Status: The bill is carried over to any future special or regular session in the same posture, awaiting legislative action.

Notes

  • LR/LD designation: LR 527(02), LD 527.
  • The bill is classified as a “bail and recognizance, bail officers, criminal procedure” measure and is part of the 132nd Maine Legislature’s criminal justice/appropriations considerations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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