Bill > LD1491

This bill establishes a tax credit program designed to incentivize attorneys to practice in underserved areas of Maine. Specifically, the bill requires the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services to identify underserved legal areas and creates a tax credit of up to $18,000 per year for eligible attorneys who commit to practicing full-time in these areas for at least 5 years. To qualify, attorneys must either join an existing law practice, establish a new practice, or purchase an existing practice in an underserved area after January 1, 2026. The tax credit can be claimed in the first year the attorney meets eligibility requirements for at least 6 months and in each of the 4 subsequent years, though the credit is not refundable. The bill also mandates that the Commission submit an annual report to the Legislature's judiciary committee by January 15, 2027, analyzing the effectiveness of the credit in attracting attorneys to underserved areas and recommending whether the program should be retained, amended, or repealed. This initiative aims to address legal service shortages in certain regions of Maine by providing a financial incentive for new attorneys to practice in areas with limited access to legal representation.

Budget and Finance

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1491&snum=132