Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §1550-B is enacted to read:

§1550-B.__Officers liable for costs of collection of public funds

or property improperly withheld or transferred

A state officer or employee or any other custodian of public funds or property who improperly withholds the public funds from the state treasury or other authority whose duty it is to receive the funds or who fails to turn the property over to the proper custodian is liable for all costs of collection or recovery of funds or property, including interest on funds improperly withheld for the time the funds have been withheld and reasonable rental and damages when property belonging to the public is improperly withheld. A state officer or employee who unlawfully transfers to the officer or employee any public funds or property or who knowingly transfers public funds or property to any other person not entitled to the funds or property is liable for all costs of recovery of the funds or property.

Sec. 2. 30-A MRSA §9 is enacted to read:

§9.__Officers liable for costs of collection of public funds

or property improperly withheld or transferred

A county officer or employee or any other custodian of public funds or property who improperly withholds the public funds from the state or county treasury or other authority whose duty it is to receive the funds or who fails to turn the property over to the proper custodian is liable for all costs of collection or recovery of funds or property, including interest on funds improperly withheld for the time the funds have been withheld and reasonable rental and damages when property belonging to the public is improperly withheld. A county officer or employee who unlawfully transfers to the officer or employee any public funds or property or who knowingly transfers public funds or property to any other person not entitled to the funds or property is liable for all costs of recovery of the funds or property.

Sec. 3. 30-A MRSA §2608 is enacted to read:

§2608.__Officials liable for costs of collection of public funds

or property improperly withheld or transferred

A municipal official or employee or any other custodian of public funds or property who improperly withholds the public funds from the state or municipal treasury or other authority whose duty it is to receive the funds or who fails to turn the