An Act To Amend The Laws Governing Bail
LD 1536 reverses the 2021 bail code changes by requiring that defendants in custody who cannot pay a $60 bail commissioner fee must be released on personal recognizance or unsecured bond. County sheriffs may establish a fund to cover this fee for indigent defendants, ensuring financial inability does not block release. The bill also modifies the factors judges consider when setting bail, adding domestic violence risk assessment results while removing prior provisions like probation status checks.
Bill status
failed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 8, 2025
Last action May 29, 2025
Floor votes · House May 29, 2025
How they voted
65–63
Passed · 8 other
Total votes 136
May 29, 2025
D
Democratic66
93% Yea
I
Independent3
100% Yea
R
Republican67
92% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
18
Key actions
3
Committee
4
May 29, 2025
Committee
On motion of Representative HASENFUS of Readfield, the Majority Ought Not to Pass Report was ACCEPTED.
lower
May 29, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (65-63-8)
house
May 23, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - ONTP/OTP
legislature
Apr 8, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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