An Act To Enhance Enforcement of Fish and Game Laws By Authorizing Maine To Enter into an Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10103, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:
2. Administration and enforcement. Except as provided by statute, the commissioner has general supervision of the administration and enforcement of the inland fisheries and wildlife laws and has the responsibility for the management of all inland fish and wildlife in the State. The commissioner has responsibility for investigations carried out on behalf of the State in matters related to the status and needs of any inland fisheries and wildlife species and is the representative of the State in providing information associated with the status and needs of these natural resources to municipalities, political subdivisions of the State and the Federal Government. The commissioner is authorized to enter into an interstate wildlife violator compact to promote compliance with the laws, regulations and rules that relate to the management of wildlife resources in the respective member states and may adopt rules necessary to implement certain provisions of the compact.
summary
This bill provides the authority for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to participate in an interstate wildlife violator compact, an agreement between member states designed to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of conservation law enforcement personnel and information, and to provide for the fair and impartial treatment of wildlife violators within the member states. It also authorizes adoption of rules to implement provisions of the compact.