PUBLIC Law, Chapter 668, An Act To Restore the Deer Herd in Certain Wildlife Management Districts in Maine

An Act To Restore the Deer Herd in Certain Wildlife Management Districts in Maine

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10105, sub-§14 is enacted to read:

14. Regulating the feeding of deer. The commissioner may by rule:

A. Prohibit the feeding of deer at any location if there is documented evidence of chronic wasting disease, as defined in Title 7, section 1821, subsection 1, in the State; and

B. Prohibit or otherwise limit the feeding of deer if the department has reason to believe that the type or location of feed is creating a public safety hazard or having a detrimental effect on the deer.

Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §10151, sub-§4, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:

B. The advisory council shall hold regular meetings with the commissioner or the commissioner's deputy in December and May of each year and may hold special meetings at such other times and places as are advisable. The commissioner may direct advisory council members to convene stakeholder groups in their respective geographic or management expertise areas to obtain information and advice on enhancing fisheries and wildlife resource management in the State. At least annually, the commissioner shall direct advisory council members to convene stakeholder group meetings in strategic areas of the State where deer populations need to be enhanced. Notwithstanding subsection 3, advisory council members are not eligible for compensation for meetings under this paragraph pursuant to Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 20.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §10264, as reallocated by RR 2011, c. 1, §14, is amended to read:

§ 10264. Maine Deer Management Fund

The Predator Control and Deer Habitat Fund Maine Deer Management 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 predator control and to enhance deer habitat. The commissioner shall establish on the department's online licensing system checkoff options that allow a person to donate money for predator control or deer habitat enhancement. The checkoff options must be prominently displayed and contain web links to information about how the checkoff revenues have been and will be used. The commissioner shall also print in a prominent place on every paper application for a hunting license checkoff options that allow a person to donate money to the fund for predator control or deer habitat enhancement. Revenues from the checkoffs must be deposited in the fund and used for purposes indicated by the checkoffs.

Notwithstanding section 10801, subsection 4, $2 of each deer registration fee collected under section 12301-A, subsection 3, paragraph C must be deposited in the fund. Fifty percent of the funds deposited in the fund from the deer registration fees must be used for predator control purposes and 50% of the deposited fees must be used to enhance deer habitat. The commissioner may accept and deposit into the fund monetary gifts, donations or 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. The department shall report annually to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over inland fisheries and wildlife matters on the fund and its utilization.

Sec. 4. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE, DEPARTMENT OF

Resource Management Services - Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 0534

Initiative: Allocates funding for deer predation control and enhancement of deer habitat.

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 2011-12 2012-13

All Other
$0 $38,000

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OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL $0 $38,000

Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 125th Legislature, Second Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.

HP0933 LD 1242	PUBLIC Law, Chapter 668 Signed on 2012-05-21 00:00:00.0 - Second Regular Session - 125th Maine Legislature
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OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2011-12	2012-13
All Other	$0	$38,000

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$0	$38,000