An Act To Protect Moose Populations and Hunting Opportunities

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10262  is enacted to read:

§ 10262.  Moose Fund

The Moose Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established within the department as a nonlapsing fund to be used by the commissioner to fund or assist in funding research relating to moose. Five percent of the money raised from the public chance drawing for moose hunting permits pursuant to section 11154 must be deposited in the fund and used by the commissioner to develop and maintain an accurate estimate of the moose population. Ten percent of the money raised from the public chance drawing for moose hunting permits pursuant to section 11154 must be deposited in the fund and used by the commissioner for general research relating to moose, including, but not limited to, the health of the moose herd. The commissioner may accept and deposit into the fund monetary gifts, donations and other contributions from public or private sources for the purposes specified in this section. The fund must be held separate and apart from all other money, funds and accounts. Money in the fund may be used only for the purposes specified in this section.

summary

This bill establishes the Moose Fund in the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to be used to fund or assist in funding research relating to moose. Five percent of the money raised from the public chance drawing for moose hunting permits must be deposited in the fund and used to develop and maintain an accurate estimate of the moose population. Ten percent of the money raised from the public chance drawing for moose hunting permits must be deposited in the fund and used for general research relating to moose, including, but not limited to, the health of the moose herd.