Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Simplify Maine's Fishing Rules

Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission To Simplify Maine's Fishing Rules, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of the following 10 members:

1. Two members of the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, one member appointed by the President of the Senate and one member appointed by the Speaker of the House;

2. Two licensed anglers, one member appointed by the President of the Senate and one member appointed by the Speaker of the House;

3. The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife or the commissioner's designee;

4. The director of the fisheries division within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife;

5. One member of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council, appointed by the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife;

6. One member representing a fish and game club, appointed by the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife;

7. One member of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine, nominated by the executive director of that organization and appointed by the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; and

8. One member of the Maine Professional Guides Association, nominated by the executive director of that organization and appointed by the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; and be it further

Sec. 3. Appointments; meetings. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities must notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council upon making their appointments. When the appointment of all members is complete, the chair of the Legislative Council shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission no later than October 16, 2017. The commission shall select a chair from among its legislative members; and be it further

Sec. 4. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall study, assess and evaluate fishing laws and rules in the State to determine ways in which these laws and rules may be simplified. In carrying out this study, the commission shall develop recommendations designed to simplify the fishing laws and rules; and be it further

Sec. 5. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the commission shall request staffing assistance from the Legislative Council; and be it further

Sec. 6. Reimbursement. Resolved: That the members of the commission are entitled to reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses upon application to the Legislative Council. The Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall administer the commission's budget; and be it further

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That the commission shall submit a report, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife no later than January 16, 2018.

summary

This resolve creates the Commission To Simplify Maine's Fishing Rules. The commission is required to submit its report and any accompanying legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife by January 16, 2018.