Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §3922, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1997, c. 704, §7 and PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §7, is further amended to read:

3. Proof of immunization. Except as provided in subsection 3-A, a municipal clerk may not issue a license for a dog until the applicant has filed with the clerk proof that the dog has been immunized against rabies in accordance with rules adopted by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, except that the requirement of immunization may be waived by the clerk under conditions set forth by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services.

A dog owner shall pay the license fee specified in section 3923-A to the veterinarian who immunizes the owner's dog against rabies.__ Unless the veterinarian serves as a dog licensing agent pursuant to section 3923-F, the veterinarian shall issue the owner a voucher stating that the dog owner paid the license fee that the dog owner shall present to the appropriate municipal clerk or unorganized territory dog recorder to obtain a dog license.__The veterinarian shall remit the fee to the appropriate municipal clerk or unorganized territory dog recorder.

The commissioner shall adopt rules that allow the clerk and the commissioner to accept valid proof of immunization against rabies provided by another state.

Sec. 2. 7 MRSA §3923-A, sub-§§1 and 2, as amended by PL 2003, c. 405, §13, are further amended to read:

1. Dogs capable of producing young. A dog owner or keeper shall pay a fee of $10 to the municipal clerk or to a veterinarian for each dog 6 months of age or older and capable of producing young. A dog is considered capable of producing young unless certification under subsection 2 is provided.

The municipal clerk shall retain a $1 recording fee and pay the remaining $9 to the department for deposit in the Animal Welfare Fund.

2. Dogs incapable of producing young. A dog owner shall pay a fee of $6 to the municipal clerk or, to a veterinary licensing agent or to a veterinarian for each dog 6 months of age or older and incapable of producing young. A dog is considered incapable of producing young when the owner provides the following: