ME LD1408

Enacts a new subchapter (5 MRSA c. 375, sub-c. 8) establishing a mandatory two-part test for courts reviewing agency interpretations of statutes or rules

Courts must apply plain meaning when a statute or rule is unambiguous, meaning it is not reasonably susceptible to different interpretations

Courts must defer to an agency's interpretation of ambiguous statutes or rules if the interpretation involves issues within the agency's expertise and the interpretation is reasonable

Preserves other forms of judicial deference to agency judgment or expertise beyond this two-part framework

Presented by Representative Sinclair of Bath and cosponsored by Senator Carney of Cumberland; referred to the Committee on Judiciary