‘Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §12262 is enacted to read:
§ 12262. Trapping bear prohibited
1. Unlawful trapping of bear. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person may not catch bear in a trap. A person who violates this subsection commits a Class E crime.
2. Research and public safety. The commissioner shall establish rules concerning bear trapping. These rules must provide for trapping bear only for purposes of scientific research, animal damage control or public safety. Rules established pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.’