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An Act To Require a Referee of a Land Dispute To Render a Decision within One Year
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 4 MRSA §501, as amended by PL 1977, c. 114, §§10 to 12, is further amended to read:
§ 501.Appointment; fees
In all cases in the Supreme Judicial or in the Superior Court in which the court appoints one or more persons, not exceeding 3, as referees, masters or auditors, to hear the same, their fees and necessary expenses, including stenographic services as determined by the Chief Justice or histhe Chief Justice's designee, shallmust be paid by the State on presentation of the proper certificate of the clerk of courts for the county in which such case is pending, or by such of the parties, or out of any fund or subject matter of the action, which is in the custody and control of the court, or by apportionment among such sources of payment, as the court shallmay direct. The amount thereof shallmust be fixed by the court upon the coming in of the report. These referees, masters and auditors shall notify the parties of the time and place of hearing and shall have power to adjourn. Witnesses may be summoned and compelled to attend and may be sworn by the referees, masters or auditors. When there is more than one referee, master or auditor, all must hear, but a majority may report, stating whether all did hear. Their report may be recommitted. They may be discharged and others appointed.
No fee or compensation other than his necessary expenses shallmay be paid any Justice of the Supreme Judicial or of the Superior Court for his services as referee, master or auditor, but this provision shalldoes not apply to an Active Retired Justice.
No per diem fee, other than necessary expenses, shallmay be paid any Official Court Reporter for his services in these cases.
A referee appointed to hear a dispute concerning real property must report the referee's decision within one year of appointment by the court.
Sec. 2.  14 MRSA §1153  is amended to read:
§ 1153.Authority of referees
All the referees must meet and hear the parties; but a majority may make the report, which shall beis as valid as if signed by all, if it appears by the report or certificate of the dissenting referee that all attended and heard the parties. They may allow costs or not to either party, unless special provision is made therefor in the submission, but the court may reduce their compensation. Any referee may swear witnesses.
A referee appointed to hear a dispute concerning real property must report the referee's decision within one year of appointment by the court.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires that a referee appointed by the court to hear a dispute involving real property must report the referee's decision within one year of appointment.