An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act
Sec. 1. 30 MRSA §6201, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is amended to read:
§ 6201. Short title
This Act shall be is known and may be cited as "AN ACT to Implement the Maine Indian Claims Settlement."
Sec. 2. 30 MRSA §6202, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is amended to read:
§ 6202. Legislative findings and declaration of policy
The Legislature finds and declares the following.
The Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians are asserting asserted claims for possession of large areas of land in the State and for damages alleging that the lands in question originally were transferred by treaty in violation of the Indian Trade and Intercourse Act of 1790, 1 Stat. 137, or subsequent reenactments or versions thereof.
Substantial At the time, the prospect that these claims would not be promptly resolved threatened to create substantial economic and social hardship could be created for large numbers of landowners, citizens and communities in the State, and therefore to the State as a whole , if these claims are not resolved promptly.
The claims also have produced disagreement between the Indian claimants and the State over the extent of the state's State's jurisdiction in the claimed areas. This disagreement has resulted in litigation and, if the claims are had not been resolved, further litigation on jurisdictional issues would be have been likely.
The In the late 1970s, the Indian claimants and the State, acting through the Attorney General, have reached certain agreements which represent that represented a good faith effort on the part of all parties to achieve a fair and just resolution of those claims which that, in the absence of agreement, would be have been pursued through the courts for many years to the ultimate detriment of the State and all its citizens, including the Indians. The resolution reached among the Indian claimants and the State affirmed the land transfers and the reservations of rights embodied within the specific treaties that gave rise to the claims at issue, and sought to definitively eliminate any prospect that the claims brought by the Indian claimants would cloud private title to land in the State.
The foregoing agreement between the Indian claimants and the State also represents a good faith effort by the Indian claimants and the State to achieve a just and fair resolution of their disagreement over jurisdiction on the present Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Indian reservations and in the claimed areas. To that end, the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation have agreed to adopt the laws of the State as their own to the extent provided in this Act. The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and its lands will be wholly subject to the laws of the State.
It is the purpose of this Act to implement in part the foregoing agreement.
Sec. 3. 30 MRSA §6203, as amended by PL 2009, c. 636, Pt. B, §1 and affected by §2, is further amended to read:
§ 6203. Definitions
As used in this Act, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings.
The "Penobscot Indian Reservation " includes the following parcels of land that have been or may be acquired by the Penobscot Nation from Bangor Pacific Hydro Associates as compensation for flowage of reservation lands by the West Enfield dam: A parcel located on the Mattagamon Gate Road and on the East Branch of the Penobscot River in T.6 R.8 WELS W.E.L.S., which is a portion of the "Mattagamon Lake Dam Lot" and has an area of approximately 24.3 acres, and Smith Island in the Penobscot River, which has an area of approximately one acre.
The "Penobscot Indian Reservation " also includes a certain parcel of land located in Argyle, Penobscot County consisting of approximately 714 acres known as the Argyle East Parcel and more particularly described as Parcel One in a deed from the Penobscot Indian Nation to the United States of America dated November 22, 2005 and recorded at the Penobscot County Registry of Deeds in Book 10267, Page 265.
Sec. 4. 30 MRSA §6204, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is repealed.
Sec. 5. 30 MRSA §6205, as amended by PL 2013, c. 91, §§1 and 2 and affected by §3, is further amended to read:
§ 6205. Indian territory Passamaquoddy Tribal Lands and Penobscot Tribal Lands
The lands of Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation located in T.1, R.8, W.B.K.P. (Lowelltown), T.6, R.1, N.B.K.P. (Holeb), T.2, R.10, W.E.L.S. and T.2, R.9, W.E.L.S.; the land of Raymidga Company located in T.1, R.5, W.B.K.P. (Jim Pond), T.4, R.5, B.K.P.W.K.R. (King and Bartlett), T.5, R.6, B.K.P.W.K.R. and T.3, R.5, B.K.P.W.K.R.; the land of the heirs of David Pingree located in T.6, R.8, W.E.L.S.; any portion of Sugar Island in Moosehead Lake; the lands of Prentiss and Carlisle Company located in T.9, S.D.; any portion of T.24, M.D.B.P.P.; the lands of Bertram C. Tackeff or Northeastern Blueberry Company, Inc. in T.19, M.D.B.P.P.; any portion of T.2, R.8, N.W.P.; any portion of T.2, R.5, W.B.K.P. (Alder Stream); the lands of Dead River Company in T.3, R.9, N.W.P., T.2, R.9, N.W.P., T.5, R.1, N.B.P.P. and T.5, N.D.B.P.P.; any portion of T.3, R.1, N.B.P.P.; any portion of T.3, N.D.; any portion of T.4, N.D.; any portion of T.39, M.D.; any portion of T.40, M.D.; any portion of T.41, M.D.; any portion of T.42, M.D.B.P.P.; the lands of Diamond International Corporation, International Paper Company and Lincoln Pulp and Paper Company located in Argyle; and the lands of the Dyer Interests in T.A.R.7 W.E.L.S., T.3 R.9 N.W.P., T.3 R.3. N.B.K.P. (Alder Brook Township), T.3 R.4 N.B.K.P. (Hammond Township), T.2 R.4 N.B.K.P. (Pittston Academy Grant), T.2 R.3 N.B.K.P. (Soldiertown Township), and T.4 R.4 N.B.K.P. (Prentiss Township), and any lands in Albany Township acquired by the Passamaquoddy Tribe before January 1, 1991;
(1) The acquisition of the land by the tribe is approved by the legislative body of that city; and
(2) A tribal-state compact under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act is agreed to by the State and the Passamaquoddy Tribe or the State is ordered by a court to negotiate such a compact;
The lands of Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation located in T.1, R.8, W.B.K.P. (Lowelltown), T.6, R.1, N.B.K.P. (Holeb), T.2, R.10, W.E.L.S. and T.2, R.9, W.E.L.S.; the land of Raymidga Company located in T.1, R.5, W.B.K.P. (Jim Pond), T.4, R.5, B.K.P.W.K.R. (King and Bartlett), T.5, R.6, B.K.P.W.K.R. and T.3, R.5, B.K.P.W.K.R.; the land of the heirs of David Pingree located in T.6, R.8, W.E.L.S.; any portion of Sugar Island in Moosehead Lake; the lands of Prentiss and Carlisle Company located in T.9, S.D.; any portion of T.24, M.D.B.P.P.; the lands of Bertram C. Tackeff or Northeastern Blueberry Company, Inc. in T.19, M.D.B.P.P.; any portion of T.2, R.8, N.W.P.; any portion of T.2, R.5, W.B.K.P. (Alder Stream); the lands of Dead River Company in T.3, R.9, N.W.P., T.2, R.9, N.W.P., T.5, R.1, N.B.P.P. and T.5, N.D.B.P.P.; any portion of T.3, R.1, N.B.P.P.; any portion of T.3, N.D.; any portion of T.4, N.D.; any portion of T.39, M.D.; any portion of T.40, M.D.; any portion of T.41, M.D.; any portion of T.42, M.D.B.P.P.; the lands of Diamond International Corporation, International Paper Company and Lincoln Pulp and Paper Company located in Argyle; any land acquired in Williamsburg T.6, R.8, N.W.P.; any 300 acres in Old Town mutually agreed upon by the City of Old Town and the Penobscot Nation Tribal Government, provided that the mutual agreement must be finalized prior to August 31, 1991; any lands in Lakeville acquired by the Penobscot Nation before January 1, 1991; and all the property acquired by the Penobscot Indian Nation from Herbert C. Haynes, Jr., Herbert C. Haynes, Inc. and Five Islands Land Corporation located in Township 1, Range 6 W.E.L.S.
In the event of a taking of land for public uses within the Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation or the Penobscot Indian Reservation, the public entity or public utility making the taking shall, at the election of the affected tribe or nation, and with respect to individually allotted lands, at the election of the affected allottee or allottees, acquire by purchase or otherwise for the respective tribe, nation, allottee or allottees a parcel or parcels of land equal in value to that taken; contiguous to the affected Indian reservation; and as nearly adjacent to the parcel taken as practicable. The land so acquired shall must, upon written certification to the Secretary of State by the public entity or public utility acquiring such land describing the location and boundaries thereof, be included within the Indian Reservation reservation of the affected tribe or nation without further approval of the State. For purposes of this section, land along and adjacent to the Penobscot River shall be is deemed to be contiguous to the Penobscot Indian Reservation. The acquisition of land for the Passamaquoddy Tribe or the Penobscot Nation or any allottee under this subsection shall be is full compensation for any such taking. If the affected tribe, nation, allottee or allottees elect not to have a substitute parcel acquired in accordance with this subsection, the moneys money received for such taking shall must be reinvested in accordance with the provisions of paragraph B.
Any lands within the Passamaquoddy Indian territory or the Penobscot Indian territory, the fee to which is transferred to any person who is not a member of the respective tribe or nation, shall cease to constitute a portion of Indian territory and shall revert to its status prior to the inclusion thereof within Indian territory.
Sec. 6. 30 MRSA §6205-A, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 675, §§2 and 8, is amended to read:
§ 6205-A. Acquisition of Houlton Band Trust Land Tribal Lands
If the fee to the Houlton Band Trust Fund Land Tribal Lands is lawfully transferred to any person or entity, the land so transferred shall cease ceases to have the status of Houlton Band Trust Land Tribal Lands.
Sec. 7. 30 MRSA §6206, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is amended to read:
§ 6206. Powers and duties Rights, privileges, powers, duties and immunities of the Indian tribes within their respective Indian territories and the State
Sec. 8. 30 MRSA §6206-A, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 675, §§3 and 8, is repealed.
Sec. 9. 30 MRSA §6206-B, as amended by PL 2009, c. 384, Pt. A., §1 and affected by §4, is further amended to read:
§ 6206-B. Law enforcement powers of Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
Sec. 10. 30 MRSA §6207, as amended by PL 1997, c. 739, §12 and affected by §§13 and 14, is further amended to read:
§ 6207. Regulation of fish fishing and wildlife resources hunting
Such ordinances shall be equally applicable, on a nondiscriminatory basis, to all persons regardless of whether such person is a member of the respective tribe or nation provided, however, that subject to the limitations of subsection 6, such ordinances may include special provisions for the sustenance of the individual members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe or the Penobscot Nation. In addition to the authority provided by this subsection, the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation, subject to the limitations of subsection 6, may exercise within their respective Indian territories all the rights incident to ownership of land under the laws of the State.
In promulgating adopting such rules or regulations the commission shall consider and balance the need to preserve and protect existing and future sport and commercial fisheries, the historical non-Indian fishing interests, the needs or desires of the tribes to establish fishery practices for the sustenance of the tribes or to contribute to the economic independence of the tribes, the traditional fishing techniques employed by and ceremonial practices of Indians in Maine and the ecological interrelationship between the fishery regulated by the commission and other fisheries throughout the State. Such regulation may include without limitation provisions on the method, manner, bag and size limits and season for fishing.
Said The rules or regulations shall must be equally applicable on a nondiscriminatory basis to all persons regardless of whether such a person is a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe or , the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. Rules and regulations promulgated adopted by the commission may include the imposition of fees and permits or license requirements on users of such waters other than members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe and , the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. In adopting rules or regulations pursuant to this subsection, the commission shall comply with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act.
In order to provide an orderly transition of regulatory authority, all fishing laws and rules and regulations of the State shall remain applicable to all waters specified in this subsection until such time as the commission certifies to the commissioner Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that it has met and voted to adopt its own rules and regulations in substitution for such laws and rules and regulations of the State.
In any administrative proceeding under this section the burden of proof shall be on the commissioner. The decision of the commissioner may be appealed in the manner provided by the laws of the State for judicial review of administrative action and shall be sustained only if supported by substantial evidence.
Sec. 11. 30 MRSA §6207-A is enacted to read:
§ 6207-A. Land use and natural resources
The State recognizes the rights of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to exercise regulation of natural resources and land use on their respective tribal lands to the extent provided in federal Indian law.
Sec. 12. 30 MRSA §6208, as amended by PL 2009, c. 384, Pt. A, §2 and affected by §4, is further amended to read:
§ 6208. Taxation
Any agreement between the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the municipality must be jointly executed by persons duly authorized by the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the municipality and must set forth the jointly agreed value of the funds or other things identified serving as replacement of payments in lieu of taxes and the time period over which such funds or other things may serve in lieu of the obligations of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians provided in this section.
Sec. 13. 30 MRSA §6208-A, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 675, §§7 and 8, is amended to read:
§ 6208-A. Houlton Band Tax Fund
Sec. 14. 30 MRSA §6209-A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 384, Pt. E, §1 and affected by §3, is further amended to read:
§ 6209-A. Jurisdiction of the Passamaquoddy Tribal Court
The governing body of the Passamaquoddy Tribe shall decide whether to exercise or terminate the exercise of the exclusive jurisdiction authorized by this subsection. If the Passamaquoddy Tribe chooses not to exercise, or chooses to terminate its exercise of, jurisdiction over the criminal, juvenile , or civil and domestic matters described in this subsection, the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those matters. Except as provided in paragraphs A and B, all laws of the State relating to criminal offenses and juvenile crimes apply within the Passamaquoddy Indian reservation and the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those offenses and crimes.
The governing body of the Passamaquoddy Tribe shall decide whether to exercise or terminate the exercise of the concurrent jurisdiction authorized by this subsection. If the Passamaquoddy Tribe chooses not to exercise, or chooses to terminate its exercise of, concurrent jurisdiction over the criminal or juvenile matters described in this subsection, the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those matters.
The definitions of the criminal offenses and juvenile crimes and the punishments applicable to those criminal offenses and juvenile crimes over which the State has exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction under this section are governed by the laws of the State. Issuance and execution of criminal process are also governed by the laws of the State.
Sec. 15. 30 MRSA §6209-B, as corrected by RR 2009, c. 1, §19, is further amended to read:
§ 6209-B. Jurisdiction of the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court
The governing body of the Penobscot Nation shall decide whether to exercise or terminate the exercise of the exclusive jurisdiction authorized by this subsection. If the Penobscot Nation chooses not to exercise, or chooses to terminate its exercise of, jurisdiction over the criminal, juvenile , or civil and domestic matters described in this subsection, the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those matters. Except as provided in paragraphs A and B, all laws of the State relating to criminal offenses and juvenile crimes apply within the Penobscot Indian reservation and the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those offenses and crimes.
The governing body of the Penobscot Nation shall decide whether to exercise or terminate the exercise of the concurrent jurisdiction authorized by this subsection. If the Penobscot Nation chooses not to exercise, or chooses to terminate its exercise of, concurrent jurisdiction over the criminal or juvenile matters described in this subsection, the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those matters.
The definitions of the criminal offenses and juvenile crimes and the punishments applicable to those criminal offenses and juvenile crimes over which the State has exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction under this section are governed by the laws of the State. Issuance and execution of criminal process are also governed by the laws of the State.
Sec. 16. 30 MRSA §6209-C, as corrected by RR 2011, c. 1, §45, is further amended to read:
§ 6209-C. Jurisdiction of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Tribal Court
The governing body of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians shall decide whether to exercise or terminate the exercise of the exclusive jurisdiction authorized by this subsection. The decision to exercise, to terminate the exercise of or to reassert the exercise of jurisdiction under each of the subject areas described by paragraphs A to E may be made separately. Until the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians notifies the Attorney General that the band has decided to exercise exclusive jurisdiction set forth in any or all of the paragraphs in this subsection, the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those matters. If the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians chooses not to exercise , or chooses to terminate its exercise of exclusive , jurisdiction set forth in any or all of the paragraphs over the criminal, juvenile or civil matters described in this subsection, the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those matters until the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians chooses to exercise its exclusive jurisdiction. When the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians chooses to reassert the exercise of exclusive jurisdiction over any or all of the areas of the exclusive jurisdiction authorized by this subsection it must first provide 30 days' notice to the Attorney General. Except as provided in subsections 2 and 3, all laws of the State relating to criminal offenses and juvenile crimes apply within the Houlton Band Trust Land and the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those offenses and crimes.
The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians may assert, terminate or reassert exclusive jurisdiction over these areas as described in subsection 1.
The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians may assert, terminate or reassert exclusive jurisdiction over these areas as described in subsection 1.
The governing body of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians shall decide whether to exercise or terminate the exercise of the concurrent jurisdiction authorized by this subsection. If the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians chooses not to exercise, or chooses to terminate its exercise of, concurrent jurisdiction over the criminal or juvenile matters described in this subsection, the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those matters.
The definitions of the criminal offenses and juvenile crimes and the punishments applicable to those criminal offenses and juvenile crimes over which the State has exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction under this section are governed by the laws of the State. Issuance and execution of criminal process are also governed by the laws of the State.
The designation of Houlton Band Jurisdiction Land in this subsection in no way affects the acquisition of additional Houlton Band Trust Land pursuant to applicable federal and state law, nor limits the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians from making additional requests that portions of the trust land be included in this subsection.
Sec. 17. 30 MRSA §6209-D, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 384, Pt. C, §1 and affected by §2, is amended to read:
§ 6209-D. Full faith and credit
The Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the State shall give full faith and credit to the judicial proceedings of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.
The Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians shall give full faith and credit to the judicial proceedings of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the State.
The Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the State shall give full faith and credit to the judicial proceedings of the Passamaquoddy Tribe.
The Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the State shall give full faith and credit to the judicial proceedings of the Penobscot Nation.
Sec. 18. 30 MRSA §6210, as amended by PL 1995, c. 388, §7 and affected by §8, is further amended to read:
§ 6210. Law enforcement on Indian reservations and within Indian territory Passamaquoddy Tribal Lands and Penobscot Tribal Lands
Sec. 19. 30 MRSA §6211, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2009, c. 384, Pt. A, §3 and affected by §4, is further amended to read:
Sec. 20. 30 MRSA §6211, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2009, c. 384, Pt. A, §3 and affected by §4, is further amended to read:
Sec. 21. 30 MRSA §6213, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is amended to read:
§ 6213. Approval of prior transfers
Sec. 22. 30 MRSA §6214, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is amended to read:
§ 6214. Tribal school committees
The Passamaquoddy Tribe and , the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians are authorized to create respective tribal school committees, in substitution for the committees heretofore provided for under the laws of the State. Such tribal school committees shall operate under the laws of the State applicable to school administrative units. The presently constituted tribal school committee of the respective tribe or nation shall continue Passamaquoddy Tribe or Penobscot Nation constituted on October 10, 1980, continues in existence and shall exercise all the authority heretofore vested by law in it until such time as the respective tribe or nation creates the tribal school committee authorized by this section.
Sec. 23. 30 MRSA §6215 is enacted to read:
§ 6215. Civil legislative jurisdiction
The Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians have exclusive authority to exercise civil legislative jurisdiction within their respective tribal lands over members of any federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or other group as well as any person who is not a member of any federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or other group.
The governing body of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, respectively, shall decide whether to exercise or terminate the exercise of the exclusive jurisdiction authorized by this section. If the governing body of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians chooses not to exercise, or chooses to terminate its exercise of, exclusive jurisdiction over the civil legislative matters described in this section, the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those matters.
Sec. 24. 30 MRSA §6216 is enacted to read:
§ 6216. Federal laws apply; do not affect or preempt the laws of this State
Except for laws that conflict with the criminal and juvenile jurisdiction described in this chapter:
Sec. 25. Contingent effective date. This Act takes effect 120 days after adjournment of the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature only if, within 90 days after the adjournment of the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature, the Secretary of State receives written certification from: the Joint Tribal Council of the Passamaquoddy Tribe that the tribe has agreed to the provisions of this Act; the Governor and the Council of the Penobscot Nation that the nation has agreed to the provisions of this Act; and the Houlton Band Council of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians that the band has agreed to the provisions of this Act, copies of which must be submitted by the Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Senate, the Clerk of the House and the Revisor of Statutes.
summary
This bill implements the consensus recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act, referred to in this summary as "the task force." The report was released on January 14, 2020 and is available online at http://legislature.maine.gov/maine-indian-claims-tf.
This bill does not address the relationship between the State and the Aroostook Band of Micmacs because that issue was specifically set aside by the task force.
In this summary, the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30, chapter 601, which is titled An Act to Implement the Maine Indian Claims Settlement, enacted by Public Law 1979, chapter 732, is referred to as the "Maine Implementing Act "and the federal Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980, Public Law 96-420, formerly codified at 25 United States Code, Sections 1721 to 1735, is referred to as "the Settlement Act." The federal Settlement Act ratified the Maine Implementing Act, and both have an effective date of October 10, 1980.
The task force voted, in Consensus Recommendation #1, to establish an enhanced process for tribal-state collaboration and consultation as well as a process for alternative dispute resolution, but left the contours of those processes to be developed by stakeholders. The bill therefore does not contain language implementing this recommendation, but the task force anticipated that language putting the recommendation into effect would be developed during the legislative process and would be added by amendment or in additional legislation.
The Settlement Act, in Section 6(e)(1), provides federal consent for the State and the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation to agree to amend the Maine Implementing Act with respect to the enforcement or application of civil, criminal or regulatory laws of the tribes and the State within their respective jurisdictions, the allocation or determination of governmental responsibility of the State and the tribe or nation over specified subject matters or specified geographical areas, or both, including provisions for concurrent jurisdiction between the State and the tribe or nation, and the allocation of jurisdiction between tribal courts and state courts. The federal law also provides, in Section 6(e)(2), federal consent for the State and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to execute agreements regarding the jurisdiction of the State over lands owned by or held in trust for the benefit of the band or its members. The task force, whose members represented the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Aroostook Band of Micmacs and the State, exercised the opportunity offered in the Settlement Act to reconsider the relationship between the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the State. The statutory changes contained in this bill are the result of a collaborative effort to determine how best to focus efforts to develop mutually beneficial solutions that allow all of the State's citizenry, including its tribal citizenry, to prosper and progress.
The purpose of the reconsideration and rewriting of the Maine Implementing Act is to establish that the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians enjoy the rights, privileges, powers, duties and immunities similar to those of other federally recognized Indian tribes within the United States. This is a significant change from the current law, which provides the State with significant authority over Indian affairs. To carry out this significant change, many provisions of chapter 601 are repealed or amended to recognize that federal Indian law governs the rights, privileges, powers, duties and immunities of the tribe, nation and band.
Under the bill, except as otherwise specified in the Maine Implementing Act, federal Indian law applies with regard to the rights, privileges, powers, duties and immunities of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. "Federal Indian law" is the body of law that applies to almost all federally recognized Indian tribes, nations, bands or other groups in the United States and describes their relationship with the Federal Government and the states. Federal Indian law is defined in this bill as the United States Constitution and all federal statutes and regulations and subsequent amendments thereto or judicial interpretations thereof, relating to the rights, privileges, powers, duties and immunities of federally recognized Indian tribes within the United States, except those federally recognized Indian tribes subject to United States Public Law 83-280 or a specific treaty or settlement act. This definition explicitly recognizes that federal Indian law is not static, but evolves as federal laws are passed and amended and as federal courts interpret the relevant statutes and regulations and their application to federally recognized Indian tribes, nations, bands and other groups. Federal Indian law addresses myriad subjects, including criminal adjudicatory and legislative jurisdiction, civil adjudicatory and legislative jurisdiction, taxation, the right to sue and be sued, hunting and fishing rights, regulation of natural resources and land use, gaming and many other topics.
This bill newly defines the term "tribal lands" to describe the lands of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians over which the tribes may exert jurisdiction as described in Consensus Recommendation #2. Passamaquoddy Tribal Lands consist of the lands designated as Passamaquoddy reservation lands as well as all lands held in trust for the Passamaquoddy Tribe by the United States Secretary of the Interior. Penobscot Tribal Lands include the Penobscot reservation and all lands held in trust for the Penobscot Nation by the United States Secretary of the Interior. Houlton Band Tribal Lands include all lands held in trust by the United States Secretary of the Interior for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. In addition, for each tribe, nation and band, tribal lands include land that, after the effective date of this legislation, is acquired and held in trust by the United States Secretary of the Interior for the respective tribe, nation or band.
The Maine Implementing Act currently limits the criminal jurisdiction of the Passamaquoddy Tribal Court and the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court as well as the potential criminal jurisdiction of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Tribal Court. Federal Indian law provides broader jurisdiction for tribal courts. This bill repeals most of the state limitations and recognizes and adopts most of federal Indian law, including the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 and other federal laws addressing tribal court jurisdiction and the obligations of the tribal courts. This bill amends the Maine Implementing Act to make equal the exclusive criminal jurisdiction of the Passamaquoddy Tribal Court and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Tribal Court with the exclusive criminal jurisdiction of the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court over offenses committed by Indian defendants against Indian victims or for which there is no victim. This bill further amends the Maine Implementing Act to recognize the criminal jurisdiction of the Passamaquoddy Tribal Court, the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court and the Houlton Band Tribal Court to impose the maximum penalties other tribal courts are authorized to impose under the federal Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010, as long as the due process protections required by that Act are observed. This bill does not include the provisions regarding tribal court concurrent jurisdiction over criminal offenses committed by non-Indian defendants against Indian victims authorized under the Federal Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 because this jurisdiction is addressed in the 129th Legislature's L.D. 766, An Act Regarding the Penobscot Nation's and Passamaquoddy Tribe's Authority to Exercise Jurisdiction under the Federal Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 and the Federal Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013.
This bill amends state law to recognize tribal court jurisdiction, concurrent with the state courts, over offenses committed on tribal lands by Indian defendants against non-Indian victims, subject to the maximum penalty provisions and due process requirements of the federal Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010.
This bill retains current law providing that the exclusive authority of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to exercise criminal jurisdiction over Indians on tribal lands remains at the discretion of the tribe, nation and band. To the extent that the tribe, nation or band does not exercise, or terminates its exercise of, exclusive criminal jurisdiction, the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those matters.
Unlike current law, this bill recognizes each tribal government's authority to define all crimes and juvenile offenses committed on its tribal lands over which the tribal court has exclusive or concurrent criminal jurisdiction. This bill, however, retains the authority of the State to define all crimes and juvenile offenses committed on tribal lands over which state courts have exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction.
This bill repeals the language of the Maine Implementing Act regarding the procedure for members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe or the Penobscot Nation living in their respective Indian territory to petition for an extended reservation in relation to tribal court jurisdiction. Those provisions are no longer necessary because this bill ensures that the law as amended recognizes the tribe's and nation's tribal court jurisdiction to cover the entirety of their tribal lands, not just reservations.
This bill recognizes federal Indian law regarding the exclusive jurisdiction of tribes to regulate fishing and hunting by tribal citizens of all federally recognized Indian tribes on tribal lands. This bill amends the Maine Implementing Act to restore and affirm the exclusive jurisdiction of tribes to regulate fishing and hunting by nontribal citizens on tribal lands, but does not cede to the State any authority of the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission to regulate fishing on boundary waters under current law.
This bill relinquishes the State's jurisdiction with respect to the regulation of fishing and hunting by both tribal and nontribal citizens on tribal lands. The State, solely for conservation purposes, may regulate tribal members engaged in such activities off tribal lands to the extent permitted under general principles of federal Indian law and in a manner consistent with reserved tribal treaty rights.
This bill amends state law to recognize and adopt federal Indian law providing that: tribes have exclusive jurisdiction to tax tribal members and tribal entities on their respective tribal lands, including entities owned by a tribe or tribal member; tribes, tribal members and tribal entities are not subject to state and local sales taxation on tribal lands; tribal members who live on their respective tribal lands are not subject to state income tax for income earned on their respective tribal lands; tribal lands are not subject to state and local real property tax; tribes have concurrent jurisdiction to tax nonmembers on tribal lands; and the State and local governments have concurrent jurisdiction to tax nonmembers on tribal lands.
This bill amends state law to restore to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians the exclusive authority to exercise civil legislative jurisdiction over Indians and non-Indians on tribal lands. To the extent that the tribe, nation or band does not exercise, or terminates its exercise of, exclusive civil legislative jurisdiction, the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those matters.
This bill amends state law to restore to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians the exclusive authority to exercise civil adjudicatory jurisdiction over Indians and non-Indians on tribal lands. To the extent that the tribe, nation or band does not exercise, or terminates its exercise of, exclusive civil adjudicatory jurisdiction, the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those matters.
This bill amends state law to explicitly provide that, for the purposes of the Settlement Act, Section 6(h), any law or regulation of the United States that accords a special status or right to, or relates to a special status or right of, any Indian, Indian nation, tribe or band of Indians, Indian lands, Indian reservations, Indian country, Indian territory or land held in trust for Indians applies to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and their members and is deemed not to affect or preempt the civil, criminal or regulatory jurisdiction of this State, including, without limitation, laws of this State relating to land use or environmental matters. This bill amends state law to explicitly provide that for the purposes of the Settlement Act, Section 16(b), the provisions of any federal law enacted after October 10, 1980, for the benefit of Indians, Indian nations or tribes or bands of Indians, apply to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and their members and is deemed not to affect or preempt the application of the laws of this State, including application of the laws of this State to lands owned by or held in trust for Indians or Indian nations, tribes or bands of Indians, regardless of whether such federal law is specifically made applicable within this State. Although not separately mentioned in the bill, the task force specifically recognized and recommended that the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Public Law 100-497, 102 Stat. 2467 (October 17, 1990), should apply in Maine. The portion of the bill addressing the Settlement Act, Section 16(b), accomplishes this goal. For a list of other federal statutes enacted after October 10, 1980 that may be implicated by this portion of the bill, see the Report on Federal Laws Enacted After October 10, 1980 for the Benefit of Indians or Indian Nations, prepared by the Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples Clinic, Suffolk University Law School, which is reproduced in Appendix N of the Task Force Report.
This bill amends the Maine Implementing Act to recognize the ability of all Maine tribes to acquire trust land in accordance with their settlement acts and federal laws, such as the Indian Reorganization Act and its implementing regulations. This bill amends state law so that, consistent with federal Indian law, state and local governments do not have veto power over trust acquisitions. Finally, although the bill specifically preserves the portions of the Maine Implementing Act relating to the resolution of the land claims that led to the original enactment of the Maine Implementing Act, as the task force recommends, the bill eliminates the time constraints on trust land acquisitions that are included in the Maine Implementing Act.