An Act To Modernize and Improve the Efficiency of Maine's Courts

Sec. 1. 4 MRSA §1610-G  is enacted to read:

§ 1610-G.  Additional securities; judicial branch

Notwithstanding any limitation on the amount of securities that may be issued pursuant to section 1606, subsection 2, the authority may issue additional securities in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 outstanding at any one time for paying the costs associated with planning, purchasing, customizing and implementing a case management, data storage and electronic filing system for the Supreme Judicial Court, Superior Court and District Court, including the violations bureau.

Sec. 2. Report. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, or the chief justice's designee, shall provide a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters during the first regular session of the Legislature following the initial issuance of securities to fund a case management, data storage and electronic filing system for the judicial branch pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 4, section 1610-G. The report must summarize the progress made on implementing the system, the system's usefulness and efficiencies realized within the judicial branch resulting from implementing the system.

SUMMARY

This bill authorizes the Maine Governmental Facilities Authority to issue additional securities in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 to fund the planning, purchasing, customizing and implementing of a case management, data storage and electronic filing system for the judicial branch in order to increase court efficiency and improve public service and safety. The bill requires the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court to provide a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters regarding this system.