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An Act To Create an Advisory Committee To Review and Make Recommendations Regarding Hunting and Fishing Laws
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§49-D  is enacted to read:
 
49-D.    
Sec. 2.  12 MRSA §10158  is enacted to read:
§ 10158. Hunting and Fishing Law Review Advisory Committee
 
1.  Appointment and composition.     The Hunting and Fishing Law Review Advisory Committee, referred to in this section as "the advisory committee" and established by Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 49-D, consists of the following 14 members:
 
A.  A member of the Senate who sits on the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over inland fisheries and wildlife matters, appointed by the President of the Senate;
 
B.  A member of the House of Representatives who sits on the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over inland fisheries and wildlife matters, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
 
C.  The deputy commissioner or the deputy commissioner's designee; and
 
D.  Eleven members appointed by the commissioner:
 
(1) Two members of the advisory council;
 
(2) An active game warden;
 
(3) A member of the board or staff of a statewide organization of sportsmen;
 
(4) A member of the board or staff of a statewide association of professional guides;
 
(5) A member of the board or staff of a statewide association of owners of sporting camps;
 
(6) A member of the board or staff of a state chapter of a national organization dedicated to bird conservation; and
 
(7) Four members of fish and game clubs or associations located in the State.
 
2.  Chair and officers.     The advisory committee from among its members shall elect a chair, who shall preside over the advisory committee and set advisory committee meeting dates and times, and a secretary, who shall record the meetings and all recommendations of the advisory committee.
 
3.  Term; vacancy.     Except for the deputy commissioner or the deputy commissioner's designee, members of the advisory committee serve for 2 years. When a vacancy occurs, except for the deputy commissioner or the deputy commissioner's designee, a new member must be appointed from the same category pursuant to subsection 1 as the member who vacated the advisory committee, and that new member continues to serve for the remainder of the term.
 
4.  Staffing.     The department shall provide administrative and staff support to the advisory committee.
 
5.  Duties.     The advisory committee shall:
 
A.  Review inland fisheries and wildlife laws and rules and make recommendations to the commissioner regarding necessary new laws or rules or changes necessary to simplify, clarify or eliminate confusing, outdated or unnecessary laws or rules; and
 
B.  Conduct an annual survey of licensees and permittees under subpart 4 on various inland fisheries and wildlife issues in the State as determined by the advisory committee.
Sec. 3. Staggered terms. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 10158, subsection 3, of the 11 initial members appointed to the Hunting and Fishing Law Review Advisory Committee by the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the commissioner shall designate 7 appointees to serve one-year terms.
 
SUMMARY
This bill creates the Hunting and Fishing Law Review Advisory Committee under the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to review inland fisheries and wildlife laws and rules and make recommendations to the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife regarding any necessary changes and conduct an annual survey of holders of fishing and hunting licenses and permits on various inland fisheries and wildlife issues in the State.