Sec. 1. 18-A MRSA §1-607 is enacted to read:

§1-607.__Surcharge for restoration, storage and preservation

of records

(1)__In addition to any other fees required by law, a register of probate shall collect a surcharge of $10 per petition, application or complaint filed in the Probate Court.

(2)__The surcharge imposed in subsection (1) must be transferred to the county treasurer, who shall deposit it in a separate, nonlapsing account within 30 days of receipt.__Money in the account is not available for use as general revenue of the county.__Interest earned on the account must be credited to the account.

(3)__The money in the account established in subsection (2) must be used for the restoration, storage and preservation of the records filed in the office of the register of probate and in Probate Court.__No withdrawals from this account may be made without the express written request or approval of the register of probate.

SUMMARY

This bill imposes a surcharge of $10 per petition, application or complaint filed in the Probate Court. The money collected as a result of the surcharge must be deposited in a separate, nonlapsing account and used for the restoration, storage and preservation of the records filed in the office of the register of probate and in Probate Court.