APPROVED CHAPTER
JUNE 12, 2025 273
BY GOVERNOR PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE
_____
S.P. 60 - L.D. 129
An Act to Amend the Law Governing Dedimus Justices
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the Governor may appoint in every county persons to be designated as
dedimus justices, before whom the oath required by the Constitution of Maine to qualify
civil officers may be taken and subscribed; and
Whereas, the need for the services that dedimus justices perform is outpacing the
number of dedimus justices who can be found to perform the duties of that commission;
and
Whereas, keeping an accurate account of how many people in this State are
commissioned as dedimus justices and how to contact them is critical information for
communities across this State who need the service that a dedimus justice performs; and
Whereas, this legislation must take effect before the end of the 90-day period to
immediately address the shortage of dedimus justices available to qualify civil officers in
the State; 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Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §4, as amended by PL 1975, c. 771, §26, is repealed and the
following enacted in its place:
§4. Dedimus justices
1. Appointment; term. The Governor may appoint in each county persons who are
designated as dedimus justices, before whom the oath required by the Constitution of Maine
to qualify civil officers may be taken and subscribed. A person appointed under this
subsection shall exercise that person's powers and duties and is commissioned to act within
Page 1 - 132LR0560(03)
and for each county for a term of 7 years. A person already designated as a dedimus justice
prior to October 1, 2025 is exempt from the 7-year term.
2. Change of information of dedimus justice. Within 30 calendar days of the
occurrence of any of the following changes to a dedimus justice's status or information
previously submitted, a dedimus justice shall submit written notice to the Governor and the
Secretary of State:
A. A change of the dedimus justice's name by court order or marriage;
B. A change of the dedimus justice's residence or mailing address; or
C. A change of the dedimus justice's e-mail address or telephone number.
3. Resignation. A dedimus justice may resign the dedimus justice's commission at
any time by submitting written notice to the Governor and the Secretary of State of the
intent to resign. The resignation is effective as of the date of the written notice. Upon
resignation, a dedimus justice shall return the dedimus justice's certificate of commission
to the Secretary of State.
Sec. 2. Mailing from Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall send a
mailing to each person designated prior to October 1, 2025 as a dedimus justice pursuant
to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 4 to request in return the person's updated
contact information, including the person's residence or mailing address, e-mail address
and telephone number. The mailing must also include information about the changes to
Title 5, section 4 provided in this Act and make clear that a dedimus justice designated
prior to October 1, 2025 is exempt from the term length requirement. Additionally, the
mailing must explain how the changes provide the opportunity for a dedimus justice to
resign the dedimus justice's commission.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.
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Statutes affected:
Bill Text ACTPUB , Chapter 273: 5.4