An Act To Increase Participation in Funding the Activities of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10253, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:
1. Fund established. The Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund, referred to in this section as the "fund," is established. The fund receives money deposited by the Treasurer of State pursuant to section sections 10255 and 13074, subsection 2 and Title 36, section 5284, revenues generated in accordance with this section and any money contributed voluntarily to the fund. All money deposited in the fund and the earnings on that money remain in the fund to be used for the management of nongame wildlife and for necessary administrative and personnel costs associated with the management of nongame wildlife and may not be deposited in the General Fund or any other fund, except as specifically provided by law.
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §10253, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is repealed.
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §13074 is enacted to read:
1. License required to operate a nonmotorized watercraft on inland waters. A person 16 years of age or older may not operate a nonmotorized watercraft on inland waters unless that person holds a valid hunting, fishing or trapping license or a valid Wildlife Enthusiast's Conservation Appreciation, Recreation and Enjoyment or WE CARE license issued pursuant to this section.
2. Fee. The fee for the WE CARE license under subsection 1 is $19 annually. Revenue raised by the department from the sale of this license must be deposited in the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund under section 10253.
3. Penalty. The penalties set out in this subsection apply to violations of this section. A. A person who violates subsection 1 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500 may be adjudged.
B. A person who violates subsection 1 after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.
summary
This bill prohibits a person 16 years of age or older from operating a nonmotorized watercraft on inland waters without possessing a hunting, fishing or trapping license or a Wildlife Enthusiast's Conservation Appreciation, Recreation and Enjoyment or WE CARE license. The bill repeals the current voluntary WE CARE support program. The fee for the WE CARE license is $19 annually, and revenues generated from the sale of the license must be deposited in the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund.