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An Act To Extend Native American Hunting Rights
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10853, sub-§8, as amended by PL 2007, c. 195, §1, is further amended to read:
 
8. Native American.   The commissioner shall issue a hunting, trapping and fishing license, including permits, stamps and other permission needed to hunt, trap and fish, to a Native American, 10 years of age or older, of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians or the Aroostook Band of Micmacs that is valid for the life of that Native American without any charge or fee if the Native American presents a certificate from the respective reservation governor, the Aroostook Micmac Council or "Wesget-Sipu" stating that the person described is a Native American and a member of that nation, band or tribe. The commissioner shall issue a hunting, trapping and fishing license, including permits, stamps and other permission needed to hunt, trap and fish, to a Native American, 10 years of age or older, who is a resident of this State and an enrolled member of any other federally recognized tribe, that is valid for the life of that Native American without any charge or fee if the Native American presents a certificate from an authorized official stating that the person described is a Native American and a member of that tribe. For purposes of this subsection, “authorized official” means a tribal official authorized by the tribe to certify that a person is an enrolled member of the tribe or, if the tribe does not maintain tribal enrollment records, the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs. Holders of these licenses are subject to this Part, including, but not limited to, a lottery or drawing system for issuing a particular license or permit.
 
SUMMARY
Under current law, a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians or the Aroostook Band of Micmacs over 10 years of age may obtain a free lifetime hunting, trapping and fishing license that includes all permits, stamps and other permission needed to hunt, trap and fish. Holders of such a license are subject to the same laws as other holders of hunting, trapping or fishing licenses with respect to trespassing on the land of others. This bill permits a member of any other federally recognized tribe who is a resident of this State to receive the same license.