Whereas, the Supreme Judicial and Superior Courts need the funds to lease, contract or make other arrangements with counties to maintain the facilities that the courts now occupy; 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 §115, first ¶, as amended by PL 1981, c. 647, §1, is further amended to read:

In each county, the place for holding court shall must be located in a building designated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court or his the Chief Justice's designee, who, with the advice and approval of the Bureau of Public Improvements, is empowered to negotiate, on behalf of the State, the leases, contracts and other arrangements he the Chief Justice or the Chief Justice's designee considers necessary, within the limits of appropriations and other funds available to the Supreme Judicial and Superior Courts, to provide suitable quarters, adequately furnished and equipped, for the Supreme Judicial or Superior Court in each county. The county commissioners in each county shall continue to provide for the use of the Supreme Judicial and Superior Courts such the quarters, facilities, furnishings and equipment in existing county buildings as were in use on January 1, 1976, without charge on terms negotiated under this section.

Sec. 2. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.

2001-02

JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT

Courts - Supreme, Superior,

District and Administrative

All Other $960,000

Provides funds for leases, contracts or other arrangements to compensate the