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This week, your League's expedited foreclosure bill, L.D. 846 - An Act to Refine and Streamline the Foreclosure Mediation Program, was enacted by both the Maine House and Senate. The bill now awaits action by Governor LePage.
Your League has committed significant resources and time working on L.D. 846 during the legislative session. This work included an amendment drafted by your League's Legislative Counsel, Attorney Ben Marcus of Drummond Woodsum, which replaced the bill's original language. "Many in Augusta felt our bill was 'Dead on Arrival' but due to the excellent work of our legislative team which included numerous meetings with legislative leadership, representatives of the Judiciary branch, housing advocates and others, we have a bill that will help expedite the foreclosure process for those who want to do so," stated your League's President John Murphy.
Among the changes this legislation would provide is a process for a plaintiff in a foreclosure by civil action to seek an expedited final hearing. The request for an expedited final hearing must indicate that mediation did not result in the settlement or dismissal of the action or indicate that the defendant has not filed an answer to the complaint and all parties that have filed an answer in the action have consented.
Murphy said your League remains focused on having this legislation become law. "We are now meeting with legislative leaders in both chambers to reinforce the fact that this legislation is a priority for us. Our communications and work are preparing for various scenarios."
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