An Act To Correct and Clarify Maine's Fish and Wildlife Laws
Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §3911-A, as amended by PL 2011, c. 100, §5, is further amended to read:
§ 3911-A. Abandonment of wolf hybrid
A person who abandons a wolf hybrid licensed under section 3922 commits a civil violation for which a fine not to exceed $1,000 may be adjudged. A person who abandons a wolf hybrid not licensed under section 3922 commits a civil violation for which a fine of $1,000 must be adjudged and may also be subject to a penalty under Title 12, section 12153. For the purposes of this section "abandon" means to desert. For enforcement purposes a wolf hybrid is abandoned if the animal is found a distance of more than 5 miles from the premises of the owner and is not under the control of any person.
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §10108, sub-§12 is enacted to read:
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §10152, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and amended by c. 655, Pt. B, §32 and affected by §422, is repealed.
Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §10266 is enacted to read:
§ 10266. Camp North Woods fund
The Camp North Woods 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 the Camp North Woods program established under section 10108, subsection 12. All funds collected by the department from the operation of the Camp North Woods program and any donations, grants or other funds presented to the department for the benefit of the Camp North Woods program must be deposited into the fund. All money deposited in the fund and the earnings on the money remain in the fund to be used for the operation of the Camp North Woods program. Unexpended balances in the fund at the end of the fiscal year are nonlapsing and must be carried forward to the next fiscal year to be used for the same purposes.
Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §10658 is enacted to read:
§ 10658. Unlawful possession of wild animals or wild birds
Sec. 6. 12 MRSA §10853, sub-§11, as amended by PL 2013, c. 408, §8, is further amended to read:
Each applicant's disability and needs must be reviewed in consultation with the disabled hunter, trapper and angler advisory committee established in section 10152 by the department and a determination made regarding the special authorization that may be made to enhance the applicant's access to fishing, hunting and trapping opportunities. A permit issued under this subsection must be signed by the commissioner and include a clear and specific description of the activities authorized by that permit. The disabled person with a disability shall carry the permit whenever that person is hunting, trapping or fishing, and the permit must be presented to a game warden or other law enforcement officer upon request. No laws or rules may be waived except as are necessary to effect this subsection.
The commissioner may authorize only the minimum special exceptions necessary to overcome the applicant's disability and allow that applicant to safely hunt, trap or fish. This does not authorize the commissioner to issue special exceptions that endanger public safety. A permit issued under this subsection does not authorize a person to exceed the allowable bag or size limits for any fish or wildlife species; to fish for or take a fish or wildlife species for which a license is not otherwise issued; to fish for, trap or hunt a fish or wildlife species more than 7 days before the opening or more than 7 days after the closing of the regular open season for that species; or to fish, trap or hunt in any area permanently closed to those activities by state law or rule.
Sec. 7. 12 MRSA §10952, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2013, c. 236, §1, is further amended to read:
Sec. 8. 12 MRSA §10953, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 419, §2 and affected by §12, is repealed.
Sec. 9. 12 MRSA §10953, sub-§3 is enacted to read:
A person who violates this subsection commits a Class E crime.
Sec. 10. 12 MRSA §11106, sub-§1, ¶A, as amended by PL 2013, c. 139, §2, is further amended to read:
Sec. 11. 12 MRSA §11108, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2015, c. 136, §6 and affected by §12, is further amended to read:
Sec. 12. 12 MRSA §11108-B, sub-§1-A, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2013, c. 538, §19, is amended to read:
Sec. 13. 12 MRSA §11109, sub-§3, ¶F, as amended by PL 2015, c. 136, §10 and affected by §12, is further amended to read:
Sec. 14. 12 MRSA §11110, as amended by PL 2005, c. 74, §1, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
§ 11110. Transfer of hunting areas or zones
Sec. 15. 12 MRSA §11214, sub-§1, ¶G, as amended by PL 2013, c. 538, §27, is further amended to read:
Sec. 16. 12 MRSA §11214, sub-§1, ¶¶N and O, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, are amended to read:
Sec. 17. 12 MRSA §11214, sub-§1, ¶P is enacted to read:
(1) For hunting deer and bear, the minimum draw weight of the bow is 35 pounds;
(2) For hunting moose, the minimum draw weight of the bow is 45 pounds; and
(3) The arrowhead, including mechanical broadheads when open, is at least 7/8 inch in width.
Sec. 18. 12 MRSA §11227, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:
Sec. 19. 12 MRSA §11305 is enacted to read:
§ 11305. Unlawful firearms for hunting bear
Sec. 20. 12 MRSA §11403, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is repealed.
Sec. 21. 12 MRSA §11403, sub-§2, ¶A, as amended by PL 2007, c. 163, §2 and affected by §3, is further amended to read:
(1) Bows must have a minimum draw weight of 35 pounds.
(2) Arrowheads, including mechanical broadheads when open, must be at least 7/8 inch in width.
Sec. 22. 12 MRSA §11605, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 253, §20, is amended to read:
(1) Standing crops; or
(2) Foods that are left as a result of normal agricultural operations or as a result of a natural occurrence ; or .
(3) Bear bait that is placed at a bear hunting stand or blind in accordance with section 11301, subsection 1.
Sec. 23. 12 MRSA §11801, sub-§2, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:
Sec. 24. 12 MRSA §11801, sub-§2, ¶C, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is repealed.
Sec. 25. 12 MRSA §11802 is enacted to read:
§ 11802. Baiting wild turkeys
(1) Standing crops; or
(2) Foods that are left as a result of normal agricultural operations or as a result of a natural occurrence.
Sec. 26. 12 MRSA §11851, as amended by PL 2013, c. 280, §8, is further amended to read:
§ 11851. Hunting or trapping wild birds
Sec. 27. 12 MRSA §12152, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2005, c. 117, §2, is further amended to read:
Sec. 28. 12 MRSA §12153, as repealed and replaced by c. 655, Pt. B, §202 and affected by §422, is repealed.
Sec. 29. 12 MRSA §12202, first ¶, as amended by PL 2013, c. 408, §18, is further amended to read:
A Notwithstanding section 12201, subsection 1 and subject to all other applicable laws and rules, a resident and a member of the resident's immediate family, as long as the trapper's license to trap is not under suspension or revocation, may trap for wild animals without a trapping license issued under section 12201 on land:
Sec. 30. 12 MRSA §12204, sub-§1, ¶B, as amended by PL 2013, c. 538, §34, is further amended to read:
Sec. 31. 12 MRSA §12252, sub-§2, ¶C, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:
Sec. 32. 12 MRSA §12255, sub-§1, ¶A, as amended by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §217 and affected by §422, is further amended to read:
(1) Check each trap, except killer-type traps or drowning sets, at least once in every calendar day; and
(2) Check each killer-type trap or drowning set at least once in every 3 calendar days , except that a drowning set placed within 1/2 mile of a city, town or village center must be checked at least once in every calendar day; and
Sec. 33. 12 MRSA §12456, sub-§1-A, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 214, §5, is amended to read:
Sec. 34. 12 MRSA §12502, as amended by PL 2009, c. 211, Pt. B, §7, is repealed.
Sec. 35. 12 MRSA §12503, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §249 and affected by §422, is further amended to read:
Sec. 36. 12 MRSA §12551-A, sub-§7, ¶A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 340, §16, is further amended to read:
(1) Take live smelts for resale from inland waters or private ponds. The taking of live smelts from inland waters must be in accordance with general rules adopted by the commissioner in regard to the taking of smelts. Except as provided in paragraph B, the holder of a smelt wholesaler's license shall comply with the same daily bag limit and the same tackle restrictions that apply to all other anglers and is subject to the same penalties for violations of those limits and restrictions. This subparagraph does not apply to a holder of a fish cultivator license as provided under section 12507;
(2) Use Beginning on the date the body of water on which the smelts are taken is open to ice fishing and ending March 31st annually, use a drop net, a lift net or hook and line to take up to 8 quarts of smelts through man-made openings in the ice while fishing on the ice from specific inland waters designated by the commissioner. A dip net may be used in conjunction with the above methods to assist with the handling and transporting of smelts. A licensee may keep the daily bag limit alive. The daily bag limit established under this subparagraph is for a 24-hour period, beginning at noon on a given day and ending at 11:59 a.m. the following day;
(2-A) In waters naturally free of ice, take smelts from noon to 2:00 a.m. by the use of a dip net in the usual and ordinary way. The commissioner may establish the daily bag limit by rule and a licensee may keep the daily bag limit of smelts alive. The daily bag limit established under this subparagraph is for a 24-hour period, beginning at noon on a given day and ending at 11:59 a.m. the following day. The commissioner may shorten the noon to 2:00 a.m. smelt fishing timeframe time frame by rule for enforcement or conservation purposes;
(3) Use artificial light for the purpose of luring smelts to a drop net or a lift net;
(4) Transport or possess at the holder's business facility more than the daily bag limit of smelts provided that the smelts were taken by the license holder in accordance with this section or acquired from a person licensed under this section to deal in live smelts;
(5) Designate others to assist in selling live smelts at the holder's business facility; and
(6) Transport or designate others to transport on the license holder's behalf live smelts in accordance with this subsection.
Sec. 37. 12 MRSA §12553, sub-§1-A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §263 and affected by §422, is amended to read:
Nothing in this Title prohibits the use of commercially prepared eggs from species that do not naturally occur in the State for bait. A person may take baitfish from all inland waters of the State during the period that those waters are open to fishing and the commissioner may grant permits in accordance with section 12513 to take baitfish from certain waters at any time.
A person who violates this subsection commits a Class E crime. The court shall, in addition, impose a fine of $20, none of which may be suspended, for each fish illegally possessed.
Sec. 38. 12 MRSA §12611, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §273 and affected by Pt. B, §422, is amended to read:
§ 12611. Illegal possession of live fish
Except as otherwise provided in this Part, a person who legally takes a fish, other than baitfish or smelt, from inland waters pursuant to this Part shall immediately release that fish alive into the waters from which it was taken or immediately kill that fish. Any fish killed pursuant to this section becomes part of the daily bag limit. A person who possesses a fish in violation of this section commits a Class E crime.
Sec. 39. 12 MRSA §12661, sub-§1, ¶A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 214, §11, is further amended to read:
Sec. 40. 12 MRSA §12804, sub-§5 is enacted to read:
Sec. 41. 12 MRSA §12952, sub-§2-A, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §343 and affected by §422, is amended to read:
(1) Keep a true and complete record, in such form as required by the commissioner, of all activities conducted by virtue of the taxidermist license; and
(2) File a copy of the record with the commissioner no later than 10 days after the end of the year during which the license is valid . ; and
(3) Retain a record of taxidermy work completed for a period of 4 years after the date of completion of the work.
Sec. 42. 12 MRSA §12952, sub-§3, as repealed and replaced by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §344 and affected by §422, is amended to read:
Sec. 43. 12 MRSA §13051, sub-§2, ¶C, as amended by PL 2011, c. 533, §7, is further amended to read:
(2) If the agent has not paid the amount owed by the 60th day after the agent becomes delinquent, the commissioner shall assess a surcharge of 5% of the principal amount owed.
(3) If an agent is delinquent for more than 150 days or is delinquent 3 or more times in one year, the commissioner shall:
(a) Terminate the agency for the balance of the year; and
(b) Order that the agency not be renewed for the next year;
Sec. 44. 12 MRSA §13069-B, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 436, §4, is amended to read:
Sec. 45. 12 MRSA §13069-C, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 436, §4, is amended to read:
Sec. 46. 12 MRSA §13105, sub-§1, ¶C, as amended by PL 2011, c. 533, §10, is further amended to read:
(2) If the agent has not paid the amount owed by the 60th day after the agent becomes delinquent, the commissioner shall assess a surcharge of 5% of the principal amount owed.
(3) If an agent is delinquent for more than 150 days or is delinquent 3 or more times in one year, the commissioner shall:
(a) Terminate the agency for the balance of the year; and
(b) Order that the agency not be renewed for the next year.
Sec. 47. 12 MRSA §13156, sub-§2, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is repealed.
Sec. 48. 12 MRSA §13157-A, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §414 and affected by §422, is repealed.
Sec. 49. 12 MRSA §13157-A, sub-§15, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §414 and affected by §422, is repealed.
Sec. 50. 12 MRSA §13157-A, sub-§25, ¶A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 340, §24, is further amended to read:
(1) Operate an ATV that is not equipped at all times with an effective and suitable muffling device on its engine to effectively deaden or muffle the noise of the exhaust;
(2) Operate or modify an ATV with an exhaust system that has been modified in any manner that will increase the noise emitted above the following emission standard:
(a) Each ATV must meet noise emission standards of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and in no case exceed 96 decibels of sound pressure when measured from a distance of 20 inches using test procedures established by the commissioner; or
(3) Operate an ATV without a working spark arrester.
Sec. 51. 12 MRSA §13159, as repealed and replaced by PL 2005, c. 397, Pt. E, §27, is amended to read:
§ 13159. Racing meets
Notwithstanding section 13155 and section 13157-A, subsection 15, subsection 16, paragraph A, subsection 17 and subsection 25, ATVs used exclusively for scheduled racing meets and operated solely on predefined race courses are exempt from the provisions of this chapter concerning registration, mufflers, snorkel kits and lights during the time of operation at these meets and at all prerace practices at the location of the meets.
Sec. 52. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE, DEPARTMENT OF
Camp North Woods Fund N216
Initiative: Provides allocations to establish the Camp North Woods Fund.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS | 2015-16 | 2016-17 |
All Other
|
$500 | $500 |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL | $500 | $500 |