Whereas, Acts of this and previous Legislatures have resulted in certain technical errors and inconsistencies in the laws of Maine; and

Whereas, these errors and inconsistencies create uncertainties and confusion in interpreting legislative intent; and

Whereas, it is vitally necessary that these uncertainties and this confusion be resolved in order to prevent any injustice or hardship to the citizens of Maine; 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 §157, sub-§1, ¶A, as amended by PL 1999, c. 547, Pt. A, §2 and Pt. B, §7 and affected by §80, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

A.__The Governor, subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters and to confirmation by the Legislature, shall appoint to the District Court 33 judges.__At least one judge must be appointed from each district who is a resident of a county in which the district lies, except that in District 3 there must be 2 judges appointed who are residents of a county in which the district lies; in District 6 there must be 2 judges appointed who are residents of a county in which the district lies; and in District 9 there must be 2 judges appointed who are residents of a county in which the district lies.__Each District Court Judge has a term of office of 7 years.

To be eligible for appointment as a District Judge, a person must be a member of the bar of the State.__The term "District Judge" includes the Chief Judge and Deputy Chief Judge.

Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §142, first and 2nd ¶¶, as amended by PL 1973, c. 585, §11, are further amended to read: