Bulletin: ME2019002

Dear Associates:

2019 Legislative Session

The general effective date for nonemergency laws passed in the First Regular Session of the 129th Legislature is Thursday, September 19, 2019, unless otherwise indicated.

An Act to Amend the Maine Condominium Act by Extending the Lien Period for Nonpayment of Assessments.

Chapter 3 (LD 251) of the 2019 legislative session extends the lien period for nonpayment of assessments under the Maine Condominium Act from 5 years to 6 years. See the text of the bill below for more detailed information.

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?ld=251&PID=1456&snum=129

Resolve, Directing the Secretary of State to Review the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts

Chapter 11 (LD 384) of the 2019 legislative session - This resolve directs the Secretary of State to review uniform legislation governing notarial practice and to submit a report including a recommendation regarding adoption of the uniform law, along with any proposed implementing legislation, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters, which is authorized to report out a bill to the 130th Legislature. See the text of the bill below for more detailed information.

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?PID=1456&snum=129&paper=&paperld=l&ld=384

An Act to Require Disclosure at the Sale or Transfer whether Methamphetamine is Present or Has Been Removed from Real Estate.

Chapter 234 (LD 96) of the 2019 legislative session amends the law requiring disclosures by the seller of residential real property to require the seller to disclose whether the property has been used for the manufacture of methamphetamine. Current law requires the disclosure of the presence or prior removal of any hazardous materials. This law includes methamphetamine as a specific hazardous material, the presence or prior removal of which must be disclosed by the seller of residential real property. See the text of the bill below for more detailed information.

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?ld=96&PID=1456&snum=129

An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Foreclosure to Ensure Timely Completion.

Chapter 408 (LD 1405) of the 2019 legislative session amends the laws governing foreclosure proceedings in order to ensure timely completion of foreclosure sales. This bill: Extends the mortgagee’s time to sell the property following an adjournment of the sale and requires that additional extensions of time be approved by the court; provides that a mortgagee may execute a waiver of foreclosure only with the written consent of the mortgagor; and establishes a time frame for the mortgagee to file a report of sale. See the text of the bill below for more detailed information.

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?PID=1456&snum=129&paper=&paperld=l&ld=1405

An Act to Correct Errors and Inconsistencies Related to the Maine Uniform Probate Code and to Make Other Substantive Changes.

Chapter 417 (LD 1535) of the 2019 Legislative session changes the effective date of the Maine Uniform Probate Code, the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 18-C, enacted by Public Law 2017, chapter 402, from July 1, 2019, to September 1, 2019. This amendment also clarifies and corrects inconsistencies found in the original law. This law has an emergency clause and takes effect when approved. See the text of the bill below for more detailed information.

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?ld=1535&PID=1456&snum=129

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