12 M.R.S. § 13155 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 939 / Section 13155
12 §13155. Registration
Status: in_force

1. Operating unregistered ATV. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §405 (RP); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

1-A. Operating unregistered ATV. Except as provided in paragraph A and subsection 5‑B , a person may not operate an ATV that is not registered in accordance with subsection 3 . A. The following exceptions apply. (1) Registration is not required for an ATV operated on land that the ATV operator owns or leases, regardless of where that ATV operator is domiciled, as long as the ATV is not operated elsewhere within the jurisdiction of the State. (2) Registration is not required for an ATV operated by a commercial ski area for the purpose of packing snow or for rescue operations on the commercial ski area, unless the ATV is required to cross a public way during that operation. (3) An ATV owned and operated in the State by the Federal Government, the State or a political subdivision of the State is exempt from registration fees but must be registered and is required to display registration numbers. (4) An ATV registration for the farm use specified in Title 29‑A, section 501, subsection 8, paragraph E is not required for a vehicle registered with the Secretary of State under Title 29‑A, section 501, subsection 8 . (5) An ATV registered in another state or in a Canadian province may be operated without being registered pursuant to this section at a special event organized to occur in this State if the special event organizer submits a request in writing to the commissioner 60 days prior to the special event and provides the commissioner with a map of the trails to be used during the special event and the commissioner approves the request. (6) An ATV owned or under the control of an ATV manufacturer may be operated without a Maine registration at a demonstration event organized to occur in this State if such operation is approved by the commissioner. An ATV manufacturer or a representative of an ATV manufacturer must submit a request in writing to the commissioner at least 60 days prior to the demonstration event and shall include a description and the location of the event. (7) The commissioner may annually establish one 3-consecutive-day period, 2 days of which are weekend days, during which a nonresident may operate in the State an ATV that is not registered in this State if the nonresident's ATV has a valid registration from another state or a Canadian province. [PL 2021, c. 215, §5 (AMD).] B. The following penalties apply to violations of this subsection. (1) A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. (2) A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, §21 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 526, §1 (AMD).]

2. Reciprocity. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §407 (RP); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

3. Application and issuance. The commissioner, or an agent designated by the commissioner, may register and assign a registration number to an ATV upon application and payment of a fee by the owner. The commissioner shall charge a fee of $1 in addition to the fee for each registration issued by an employee of the department. The registration number in the form of stickers issued by the commissioner must be clearly displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle. An annual registration is valid for one year commencing July 1st of each year, except that any registration issued prior to July 1st but after May 1st is valid from the date of issuance until June 30th of the following year. A registration agent shall provide to the person who requests to register an oversized ATV under subsection 5‑B a written form developed and provided by the department explaining the size and weight restrictions for registering that ATV, including whether it qualifies for registration, and explaining the provisions of section 13157‑A regarding the operation of oversized ATVs on designated state-approved ATV trails. The department shall develop a form for use by registration agents under this subsection. [PL 2021, c. 215, §6 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 411, §8 (AMD).]

4. Form of registration. An ATV registration must be in such form as the commissioner may determine. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

5. Fees. The ATV registration fee is: A. For a resident, $70 annually. The registration for an ATV owned by a resident is valid for one year, beginning on July 1st of each year; and [PL 2021, c. 215, §7 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 215, §15 (AFF).] B. For a nonresident: (1) One hundred dollars for a registration valid for 7 consecutive days. A person may purchase more than one 7-day registration in any season; and (2) One hundred fifteen dollars for a registration valid for one year. The registration for an ATV owned by a nonresident must specify the dates for which the registration is valid. [PL 2021, c. 215, §7 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 215, §15 (AFF).] Thirty-seven dollars of each fee collected pursuant to this subsection must be deposited in the ATV Recreational Management Fund established in section 1893, subsection 2 and must be used to maintain designated state-approved ATV trails. Ten dollars of each fee collected pursuant to paragraph B must be deposited in the ATV Enforcement Fund established in section 10267 . [PL 2021, c. 215, §7 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 215, §15 (AFF).]

5-A. Temporary fee. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §408 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF); MRSA T. 12 §13155, sub-§5-A (RP).]

5-B. Oversized ATV; exception. A person may not register an oversized ATV except as provided in this subsection. A resident who has registered an oversized ATV prior to January 1, 2022 may continue to register that oversized ATV upon payment of the fee specified in subsection 5, paragraph A , and upon a transfer of ownership of that registered oversized ATV, the new owner may also register that oversized ATV upon payment of the fee specified in subsection 5, paragraph A . Registration is not required for an oversized ATV operated by a person on the land of another if written permission is received from the landowner, lessee of the land or landowner's representative and the person is engaged solely in a business activity, other than a business activity involving recreational use of the oversized ATV. For purposes of this subsection, "oversized ATV" means an ATV that is wider than 65 inches or weighs more than 2,000 pounds according to the manufacturer's specifications. [PL 2025, c. 267, §4 (AMD).]

5-C. Antique ATV. A person who owns an antique ATV may register that ATV under this subsection as an antique ATV. Notwithstanding subsection 5 , the fee for an antique ATV registration is $45. An antique ATV registration is valid until the ownership of the ATV is transferred to another person. Upon the transfer of ownership, the new owner may reregister that ATV as an antique ATV by paying the $45 antique ATV registration fee. Notwithstanding section 10206 , all registration fees for antique ATVs must be deposited in the General Fund. [PL 2021, c. 215, §9 (NEW).]

6. Duplicate registration certificate. The holder of a registration certificate issued under this section may obtain a duplicate from the commissioner upon application and payment of a fee of $1. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

7. Transfer of ownership, discontinuance of use. A transfer of ownership or discontinuance of use of an all-terrain vehicle is subject to this subsection. A. Whoever transfers the ownership or discontinues the use of a registered all-terrain vehicle shall, within 10 days, properly sign the registration, indicate the disposition of the all-terrain vehicle and return the registration to the commissioner. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. An all-terrain vehicle owner who transfers ownership or discontinues its use may, within 10 days from the date of transfer or discontinuance, apply to the commissioner for registration of another all-terrain vehicle. The fee for the transfer is $4, and the registration is valid for the remainder of the registration year for which the previous all-terrain vehicle had been registered. [PL 2007, c. 651, §20 (AMD).] C. When there is a change of ownership of an all-terrain vehicle for which a registration has previously been issued, the new owner shall apply for a new registration and shall pay the applicable fee under subsection 5 . [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] [PL 2007, c. 651, §20 (AMD).]

8. Restrictions. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §409 (RP); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

8-A. Registration inspection. An owner or operator of an ATV shall present a registration certificate or an online registration receipt for inspection by any law enforcement officer on demand. An owner or operator of an ATV may present a registration certificate or an online registration receipt in electronic form. A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §410 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §410 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] [PL 2021, c. 130, §4 (AMD).]

8-B. Notification of destroyed, abandoned, stolen or permanently removed ATV. The registrant shall notify the commissioner if an ATV is destroyed, abandoned, stolen or permanently removed from the State. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §410 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

9. Display of registration numbers. Each new ATV sold in the State must have a space 6 inches in width by 3 1/2 inches in height provided on the front and rear of the machine, as high above the tires as possible, for the vertical display of the registration numbers. A person may not operate an ATV that is required to be registered under this section unless registration numbers in the form of stickers are displayed in these spaces or as otherwise required by the department. A person may operate an ATV registered online without displaying a registration number until that person receives the registration certificate from the department or for 30 days after registering the ATV online, whichever occurs first. A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §411 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §411 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] [PL 2015, c. 281, Pt. B, §1 (AMD).]

10. Training and education. The department shall provide training and education relating to ATVs. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

11. Members of armed forces permanently stationed in State. The following persons are eligible to register an ATV owned by them at the resident fee: A. A person serving in the Armed Forces of the United States who is permanently stationed at a military or naval post, station or base in the State; and [PL 2021, c. 184, §16 (AMD).] B. The spouse and children of the person described in paragraph A if the spouse and children permanently reside with that person. [PL 2021, c. 184, §16 (AMD).] A member of the armed forces described in paragraph A or the spouse or child of that member who desires to register an ATV shall present certification from the commander of the post, station or base, or from the commander's designated agent, that the member is permanently stationed at that post, station or base. Registration fees for registrations pursuant to this subsection must be allocated as if the person registering the ATV was a resident of the municipality in which the post, station or base is situated. [PL 2021, c. 184, §16 (AMD).]

12. Review of ATV registration fees and trail maintenance needs. In consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the department shall review ATV registration fees and maintenance needs of designated state-approved ATV trails in 2022 and 2023 and every 2 years thereafter. The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall report the findings and recommendations from the review to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over inland fisheries and wildlife matters by February 1st each year a review is required. The committee may report out legislation related to ATV registration fees and maintenance needs of ATV trails to the session of the Legislature in which the report is received. [PL 2021, c. 215, §10 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 6801-A — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 623 / Section 6801-A
12 §6801-A. Sea cucumber drag license
Status: in_force

1. License required. A person may not engage in the activities authorized under this section without a current sea cucumber drag license. A sea cucumber drag license must list the documentation or registration number of the vessel to be used by the licensee when dragging. [PL 2005, c. 27, §1 (NEW).]

2. Licensed activities. The holder of a sea cucumber drag license may use the vessel named on the holder's license to drag for sea cucumbers. The license also authorizes the captain and crew members aboard the vessel named on the license to drag for and possess, ship, transport and sell sea cucumbers, except that the captain and crew members may not drag for sea cucumbers if the license holder is not aboard the vessel. [PL 2005, c. 27, §1 (NEW).]

3. Exemptions. Notwithstanding subsection 2 , the commissioner may authorize a person to fish for or take sea cucumbers from a vessel when the person holding a sea cucumber drag license that contains the name of that vessel is not on board if: A. The holder of the sea cucumber drag license documents to the commissioner that an illness or disability temporarily prevents the license holder from fishing for or taking sea cucumbers from that vessel and requests in writing to the commissioner that the commissioner authorize another person to use that vessel to fish for or take sea cucumbers from the vessel; or [PL 2005, c. 27, §1 (NEW).] B. The vessel named on the license of a license holder is temporarily inoperable because of an accident or a mechanical failure and the license holder requests in writing to the commissioner that the commissioner authorize the license holder to use another vessel to fish for or take sea cucumbers. [PL 2005, c. 27, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2005, c. 27, §1 (NEW).]

4. Eligibility. A sea cucumber drag license may be issued only to an individual. [PL 2005, c. 27, §1 (NEW).]

5. Fee. The fee for a sea cucumber drag license is $128. [PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. G, §28 (AMD).]

6. Violation. A person who commits a violation under this section commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not less than $100 may be adjudged. [PL 2005, c. 27, §1 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 6752 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 623 / Section 6752
12 §6752. Exception for personal use
Status: in_force

Any person may take or possess not more than 50 marine worms in any one day for personal use without a marine worm digger's license or a marine worm dealer's license. [PL 2013, c. 301, §18 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 5 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 1 / Chapter 1 / Section 5
12 §5. Cooperation of state agencies
Status: in_force

Agencies of this State which shall have jurisdiction over, or be charged with the administration of, any publicly owned lands, lying within the boundaries of any district organized under this chapter, shall cooperate to the fullest extent with the supervisors of such districts in the effectuation of programs and operations undertaken by the supervisors. Public lands used for research purposes shall comply with this section only to the extent that it does not interfere with existing research work.
12 M.R.S. § 6748-A — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 623 / Section 6748-A
12 §6748-A. Sea urchin draggers license
Status: in_force

1. License required. A person may not engage in the activities authorized under this section without a current sea urchin dragging license. [PL 2001, c. 667, Pt. A, §8 (RPR).]

2. Licensed activity. The holder of a sea urchin dragging license may use the vessel named on the holder's license to drag for sea urchins. The license also authorizes the captain and crew members aboard the vessel named on the license to drag for and possess, ship, transport and sell sea urchins, except that the captain and crew members may not drag for sea urchins if the license holder is not aboard the vessel. [PL 2001, c. 327, §6 (RPR); PL 2001, c. 327, §21 (AFF).]

2-A. Change of named individual. A person who is the owner of a vessel named on a sea urchin dragging license in 2000 but not the individual named on that license may apply to the commissioner to be the individual named on that sea urchin dragging license in 2002. The person must provide written notarized documentation to the commissioner authorizing the change in license name by the individual who was named on that license in 2000. If no such request is received by the commissioner by December 1, 2001, then the individual named on the 2002 sea urchin dragging license will be the same as the individual named on the 2001 sea urchin dragging license and no future changes of the named individual will be permitted. [PL 2001, c. 327, §7 (NEW).]

2-B. Exemptions. Notwithstanding subsection 2 , the commissioner may authorize a person to fish for or take sea urchins from a vessel when the person holding a sea urchin dragging license that contains the name of that vessel is not on board if: A. [PL 2017, c. 222, §4 (AMD); MRSA T. 12 §6748-A, sub-2-B, A (RP).] B. [PL 2017, c. 222, §4 (AMD); MRSA T. 12 §6748-A, sub-2-B, B (RP).] C. An individual documents to the commissioner that the individual has held or leased more than one sea urchin dragging license for 3 consecutive years, was the owner of the vessels named on those licenses during those same years and is currently the owner of the vessels named on those licenses. Under this paragraph, the commissioner may renew each license held by the eligible individual if the vessel named on that license is unchanged from the vessel named on the license in 2000. [PL 2001, c. 327, §7 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 327, §21 (AFF).] [PL 2017, c. 222, §4 (AMD).]

3. Eligibility. A sea urchin dragging license may be issued only to an individual who is a resident. [PL 2001, c. 421, Pt. B, §47 (AMD); PL 2001, c. 421, Pt. C, §1 (AFF).]

4. Zone 2 fee. The fee for a Zone 2 sea urchin dragging license is $152. [PL 2011, c. 598, §38 (AMD).]

4-A. Temporary Zone 1 fee. [PL 2009, c. 396, §9 (NEW); MRSA T. 12 §6748-A, sub-§4A (RP).]

4-B. Zone 1 fee. The fee for a Zone 1 sea urchin dragging license is $25 per year when the season is no longer than 10 days. If the Zone 1 season is longer than 10 days, the department may by rule increase the sea urchin dragging license fee to an amount no higher than the amount specified in subsection 4 . Rules adopted under this subsection are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A . [PL 2011, c. 598, §39 (NEW).]

5. Violation. A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2001, c. 421, Pt. B, §47 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 421, Pt. C, §1 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 6851 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 625 / Section 6851
12 §6851. Wholesale seafood license; wholesale seafood license with lobster permit; wholesale seafood license with urchin permit; wholesale seafood license with shrimp permit
Status: in_force

1. License required. A person may not engage in the activities authorized under this section without a current: A. Wholesale seafood license; [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. F, §26 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).] B. Supplemental wholesale seafood license; or [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. F, §26 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).] C. Other license issued under this Part authorizing the activities. [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. F, §26 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. F, §26 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

2. License activities. The holder of a wholesale seafood license may, in the wholesale or retail trade: A. Within or beyond the state limits, buy, sell, process, ship or transport any marine species or their parts, except lobsters and sea urchins; scallops purchased directly from harvesters; and shrimp purchased directly from harvesters; [PL 2015, c. 201, §5 (AMD).] B. Within or beyond the state limits, buy, sell, shuck, pack, ship or, within the state limits, transport fresh or frozen shellfish, except lobsters, to the extent these activities are expressly authorized by a shellfish certificate issued under section 6856 ; [PL 2013, c. 492, §12 (AMD).] C. [PL 1991, c. 523, §3 (RP).] D. Buy, sell, process, ship or, within the state limits, transport crayfish; and [PL 2013, c. 492, §12 (AMD).] E. Within or beyond the state limits, buy, possess, ship, transport or sell green crabs without a commercial green crab only license issued under section 6808 . [PL 2013, c. 492, §12 (NEW).] A holder of a wholesale seafood license when buying directly from a harvester may buy only from a harvester who possesses the license or permit for that species as required under this Part. The harvester shall make the applicable marine resources license or permit available for inspection upon the wholesale seafood license holder’s request. [PL 2015, c. 201, §5 (AMD).]

2-A. Wholesale seafood license with lobster permit. At the request of the applicant, the commissioner shall issue a wholesale seafood license with a lobster permit. A person holding a wholesale seafood license with a lobster permit may engage in all the activities in subsection 2 and may buy, sell, process or ship lobster or properly licensed or lawfully imported lobster meat or parts. A person holding a wholesale seafood license with a lobster permit may transport lobster or properly licensed or lawfully imported lobster meat or parts anywhere within the state limits. A license under this subsection does not authorize a person to possess or transport lobster that person has taken unless that person is in possession of a license issued under section 6421, subsection 3‑A, paragraph A , B, C or E . A license under this subsection does not authorize a person to remove lobster meat from the shell unless a license under section 6851‑B or 6857 is held. [PL 2019, c. 642, §8 (AMD).]

2-B. Wholesale seafood license with a sea urchin buyer's permit. At the request of the applicant, the commissioner shall issue a wholesale seafood license with a sea urchin buyer's permit. A person holding a wholesale seafood license with a sea urchin buyer's permit may engage in all the activities in subsection 2 and may buy, sell, ship or transport whole sea urchins or sea urchin parts. A license under this subsection does not authorize a person to engage in the processing of sea urchins. [PL 2011, c. 266, Pt. A, §20 (AMD).]

2-C. Wholesale seafood license with a sea urchin processor's permit. At the request of the applicant, the commissioner shall issue a wholesale seafood license with a sea urchin processor's permit. A person holding a wholesale seafood license with a sea urchin processor's permit may engage in all the activities in subsection 2 and may buy, sell, process, ship or transport whole sea urchins or sea urchin parts processed under that license. [PL 2011, c. 266, Pt. A, §20 (AMD).]

2-D. Wholesale seafood license with shrimp permit. At the request of the applicant, the commissioner shall issue a wholesale seafood license with a shrimp permit. A person holding a wholesale seafood license with a shrimp permit may engage in all of the activities in subsection 2 , may buy shrimp from harvesters and may sell, process, ship or transport shrimp. [PL 2011, c. 598, §42 (AMD).]

2-E. Wholesale seafood license with a scallop permit. At the request of the applicant, the commissioner shall issue a wholesale seafood license with a scallop permit. A person holding a wholesale seafood license with a scallop permit may engage in all of the activities in subsection 2 , may buy scallops from harvesters and may sell, process, ship or transport scallops. [PL 2015, c. 201, §6 (NEW).]

3. Exceptions. This section does not apply to smoked herring or river herring. [PL 2011, c. 598, §43 (AMD).]

4. License limited. A license under this section authorizes activities at only one establishment or with only one vehicle, but not on a vessel rigged to fish, provided that this license also authorizes the sale and transportation of scallops from any vessel. The limitation in this subsection does not apply to holders of licenses issued under section 6421 when they are transporting lobsters on the vessel they have declared on their lobster license application. [PL 2005, c. 239, §9 (AMD).]

5. Supplemental license. A supplemental license must be obtained for each additional establishment or vehicle. [PL 1991, c. 523, §3 (AMD).]

6. Fees. The fees are as follows: A. For a wholesale seafood license or a wholesale seafood license with a lobster permit, sea urchin buyer's permit, shrimp permit or sea urchin processor's permit, $192.75; and [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. EEEEE, §26 (AMD).] B. For each supplemental license, $38.25. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. EEEEE, §26 (AMD).] [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. EEEEE, §26 (AMD).]

7. Violation. A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2001, c. 421, Pt. B, §54 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 421, Pt. C, §1 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 10252 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 903 / Section 10252
12 §10252. Fish hatchery maintenance fund
Status: in_force

The fish hatchery maintenance fund, referred to in this section as the "fund," is established in the department as a nonlapsing fund to be used by the commissioner to fund or assist in funding engineering designs for the Embden Hatchery, a statewide assessment of all other hatchery facilities and maintenance, repair and capital improvements at fish hatcheries and feeding stations owned by the State. The fund may not be used to fund personnel services costs or general operating costs of a fish hatchery. The commissioner may accept and deposit into the fund any monetary gifts, donations or other contributions from public or private sources and must use that money for the purposes specified in this section. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §51 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 12913 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 929 / Section 12913
12 §12913. Allocation system
Status: in_force

1. Goals. The goals of the allocation system are: A. To encourage a wide diversity of whitewater trip experiences and services; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. To provide a fair distribution of river use among existing and future users; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] C. To maximize competition within the recreational use limits; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] D. To allow for reasonable business stability for outfitters by allowing stable, well-qualified outfitters who are providing excellent service and meeting the conditions of their allocations to continue to do so, subject to periodic review; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] E. To encourage efficient use of the allocation system; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] F. To be flexible enough to adapt to changes in river use or river conditions; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] G. To prevent evasion of the system; and [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] H. To provide opportunity for public access. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

2. Allocation required. This subsection governs commercial whitewater trips on rivers subject to allocation requirements. A. Except as provided in this paragraph, a person may not operate a commercial whitewater trip on the Kennebec River between Harris Station and West Forks or on the West Branch Penobscot River between McKay Station and Pockwockamus Falls without an allocation or in excess of an allocation on any day for which allocations are established under this subsection or by the department by rule. (1) Allocations are not established and are not required for other rivers or for other stretches of the Kennebec River or the West Branch Penobscot River. (2) Allocations are required for Saturdays on the Kennebec River between Harris Station and West Forks for the period of July 1st to August 31st. Allocations are required for Saturdays on the West Branch Penobscot River between McKay Station and Pockwockamus Falls for the period of July 1st to August 31st. The commissioner may adopt rules establishing allocations for Sundays for the period of July 1st to August 31st. If the department determines that the recreational use limit will be reached on other days, the department shall provide by rule for allocations. Rules adopted under this subparagraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A . (3-A) Under extenuating circumstances as determined by the commissioner, the commissioner may allow the emergency transfer of a commercial whitewater rafting trip from a rapidly flowing river to another rapidly flowing river as long as sufficient water is available in the river to which the commercial whitewater rafting trip is to be transferred. Notwithstanding subsection 3 , the commissioner may allow the recreational use limits to be exceeded pursuant to this subparagraph. Under no circumstances is a transfer of a whitewater rafting trip allowed to the West Branch Penobscot River. The department shall report annually to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over inland fisheries and wildlife matters regarding the implementation of this subparagraph. A transfer authorized under this subparagraph is not restricted to an outfitter holding an allocation. (4) An outfitter may occasionally exceed the allocation by 2 passengers on a trip of up to 40 passengers, or 4 passengers on a trip of more than 40 passengers, to accommodate problems in booking, as long as the average of the number of passengers carried on an outfitter's 10 best allocated days for each river and for each allocated day of the week does not exceed the outfitter's allocation for that river and day. Abuse by an outfitter of the privilege to carry additional passengers results in the loss of the privilege for a period to be determined by the commissioner. (6) The following penalties apply to violations of this paragraph. (a) A person who violates this paragraph commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. (b) A person who violates this paragraph after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2013, c. 245, §6 (AMD).] B. [PL 2013, c. 245, §6 (RP).] C. [PL 2013, c. 245, §6 (RP).] [PL 2013, c. 245, §6 (AMD).]

3. Allocations, maximum, minimum. The department may allocate the privilege to conduct whitewater trips to licensed outfitters. The maximum allocation for an outfitter is 120 passengers per river per day. The minimum allocation to be awarded is 10 passengers per day on the Kennebec River and 16 passengers per day on the West Branch Penobscot River. The department is not authorized to issue a total number of allocations for an allocated day that exceeds the recreational use limits established in section 12911 . The department may declare a day to be an allocated day when the department determines that the regular and persistent use of the river on that day from year to year may exceed the recreational use limits for that day. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §338 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

4. Conditions for holding allocations. Allocations are a privilege extended by the State for the use of a limited public resource. The department may suspend, revoke or reduce the number of allocations when it is advisable to do so for better management of the resource or for protection of public safety and welfare. An outfitter's allocations are subject to forfeiture or suspension by the department if the outfitter fails to maintain the conditions of its license, fails to continue using its allocations productively or fails to maintain a quality of service consistent with the public interest. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

5. Allocation criteria; reports. The department may adopt rules specifying a schedule for reviewing outfitters who hold allocations and setting forth the criteria for awarding allocations. If the department determines that additional allocated days are required, the allocation of trips on any such additional day must be distributed among existing licensed outfitters, upon payment of the appropriate allocation fee, in accordance with their percentage of total use averaged over the rafting season on that rapidly flowing river on that particular day, up to the limit on allocations established in subsection 3 . Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A . A. An outfitter shall submit on a schedule determined by the department periodic public reports to the department documenting river use for both allocated and unallocated days. The following penalties apply to violations of this paragraph. (1) A person who violates this paragraph commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. (2) A person who violates this paragraph after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §339 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §339 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

6. Allocation fee. When allocations are required, an outfitter shall pay the department an annual allocation fee of $252 per unit of 20 passengers or less. Additional passengers over each increment of 20 constitute a new unit. The annual allocation fee may be paid in quarterly payments, beginning 30 days after the allocation is awarded. The maximum allocation fee an outfitter may pay is $2,627 annually. [PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. III, §33 (AMD).]

7. Exceptions. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §340 (RP); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

8. Noncommercial whitewater rafting trips; prior registration required. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §340 (RP); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

9. Noncommercial whitewater rafting trips; prior registration required. A person without a commercial whitewater outfitter's license using a whitewater craft on any stretch of river for which a specific allocation is required, including days for which an allocation is not required, shall file, prior to launching the craft, a noncommercial trip registration form with the department. The form must state that the person's use of whitewater craft on this river stretch does not constitute a commercial whitewater trip as defined in section 12901 and must be signed by all persons using the craft. A commercial whitewater outfitter may not use a whitewater craft on any stretch of river for which a specific allocation is required, including days for which an allocation is not required, to carry any person, other than a commercial passenger or commercial whitewater guide, unless the outfitter files a noncommercial passenger registration form with the department before launching the craft. The form must list the persons who are not commercial whitewater guides or commercial passengers, state that the persons listed are not commercial whitewater guides or commercial passengers and be signed by each person listed. A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §341 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §341 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §341 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 6438-A — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 619 / Section 6438-A
12 §6438-A. Artificial removal of eggs; prohibition
Status: in_force

1. Prohibition. It is unlawful to remove extruded eggs from any female lobster or to take, buy, sell, possess, transport or ship any female lobster from which extruded eggs have been removed by any means other than natural hatching. [PL 1995, c. 468, §7 (NEW).]

2. Penalty. A violation of this section is a Class D crime, except that the court shall impose a fine of $1,000 for each violation and, in addition, a fine of $300 for each lobster involved or, if the number of lobsters cannot be determined, a fine of not less than $1,000 or more than $5,000. [PL 2013, c. 468, §21 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 6978 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 631 / Section 6978
12 §6978. Endangered or Threatened Marine Species Fund
Status: in_force

The Endangered or Threatened Marine Species Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established within the department. [PL 2007, c. 25, §1 (NEW).]

1. Sources. The commissioner may receive donations and funding from any source on behalf of the fund. [PL 2007, c. 25, §1 (NEW).]

2. Purpose; use of fund. The purpose of the fund is to support activities related to the management of endangered or threatened marine species. All money received into the fund must be used for the purposes of the fund. [PL 2007, c. 25, §1 (NEW).]

3. Interest and balances credited to fund. Any interest earned on the money in the fund must be credited to the fund. Unexpended balances in the fund at the end of the fiscal year do not lapse but must be carried forward to the next fiscal year and credited to the fund to be used for the purposes of this section. [PL 2007, c. 25, §1 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 1891-C — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 2 / Chapter 220 / Section 1891-C
12 §1891-C. Limitations
Status: in_force

Projects to be carried out by the Corps are limited to projects on publicly owned lands or, if not on public lands, under the sponsorship and supervision of a public agency or nonprofit organization. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. NN, §2 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 6038 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 603 / Section 6038
12 §6038. Shellfish Advisory Council
Status: in_force

1. Appointment; composition. The Shellfish Advisory Council, referred to in this section as "the council" and established by Title 5, section 12004‑I, subsection 57‑G , consists of 14 members who are appointed by the commissioner as follows: A. Four members who are commercial shellfish license holders. In making the appointments under this paragraph, the commissioner shall consider up to 6 recommendations from associations representing the interests of persons who harvest shellfish commercially; [PL 2019, c. 600, §1 (AMD).] B. Two members who are shellfish aquaculture lease holders. In making the appointments under this paragraph, the commissioner shall consider up to 3 recommendations from associations representing the interests of persons who raise shellfish under aquaculture leases; [PL 2007, c. 606, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).] C. One member who is a municipal official involved in pollution permitting or mitigation; [PL 2019, c. 600, §1 (AMD).] D. Two members who are licensed wholesale seafood dealers who have been issued a shellfish sanitation certificate by the department pursuant to section 6856, subsection 1 . In making the appointments under this paragraph, the commissioner shall consider up to 3 recommendations from associations representing the interests of persons who buy and sell shellfish; [PL 2019, c. 600, §1 (AMD).] E. One public member with knowledge of and interest in coastal water quality; [PL 2007, c. 606, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).] F. Two members who are municipal shellfish officials, including, but not limited to, a municipal shellfish conservation warden or a member of a municipal shellfish management committee, as described in section 6671, subsection 2 ; [PL 2019, c. 600, §1 (AMD).] G. One member who has been issued a shellfish depuration certificate under section 6856, subsection 3 or who is designated by the department as an authorized representative of the holder of the shellfish depuration certificate; and [PL 2019, c. 600, §1 (AMD).] H. One member who has a demonstrated knowledge of biological science and, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree. The commissioner shall make a reasonable effort to appoint a member who has at least 5 years of relevant experience. [PL 2019, c. 600, §1 (NEW).] The commissioner shall make appointments so that the composition of the council reflects a geographic distribution along the coast of the State. [PL 2019, c. 600, §1 (AMD).]

2. Purpose. The council shall make recommendations to the commissioner and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resources matters concerning: A. How best to utilize state agencies, municipal governments, the shellfish industry and citizen groups to make improvements to and maintain the quality of the State's coastal waters and to expedite the opening of closed shellfish flats; and [PL 2007, c. 606, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).] B. Matters of interest to the State's shellfish industry, including, but not limited to, shellfish resource management, public health protection and the activities and recommendations of a multistate organization that promotes shellfish sanitation. [PL 2007, c. 606, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).] The council is responsible for bringing forward to the commissioner matters of concern to the shellfish industry and for assisting the commissioner with the dissemination of information to members of the shellfish industry. [PL 2007, c. 606, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]

3. Term. The term of a member appointed to the council is 3 years, except that a vacancy during an unexpired term must be filled in the same manner as for the original member for the unexpired portion of the member's term. A member may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms. [PL 2007, c. 606, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]

4. Officers. The officers of the council are the chair and vice-chair. The term of the officers is one year. The council shall elect a member of the council for each officer position at the first regular meeting of each year. [PL 2023, c. 207, §5 (AMD).]

5. Meeting. The council shall meet at least once a year. It may also meet at other times at the call of the chair or the commissioner. In advance of a meeting of a multistate organization that promotes shellfish sanitation, the council shall meet to discuss matters of interest to the shellfish industry, the department and the multistate organization and to make recommendations as necessary. [PL 2007, c. 606, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]

6. Compensation. Council members are entitled to expenses according to Title 5, chapter 379 , which are paid from the Shellfish Fund established in section 6651 . [PL 2007, c. 606, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).] Revisor's Note: §6038. Watercraft Fund (As enacted by PL 2007, c. 615, §5 is REALLOCATED TO TITLE 12, SECTION 6040)
12 M.R.S. § 6525-A — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 621 / Section 6525-A
12 §6525-A. Setting near weirs or stop seines
Status: in_force

1. Setting nets or seines near weirs. A person, other than a weir owner or the weir owner's crew members, may not set or assist in setting a net or seine within 2,000 feet of the mouth of a weir that is: A. In operating condition; [PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §26 (NEW).] B. Licensed under Title 38, chapter 9 ; and [PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §26 (NEW).] C. Operated by an operator who is licensed under section 6501 . [PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §26 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §26 (RPR).]

2. Exception. Stop seining is permitted in any cove that does not have a weir even when the seine is less than 2,000 feet from a weir in another cove. [PL 1983, c. 731, §2 (NEW).]

3. Cove name and designation. The commissioner shall prepare a map of areas of the State where weirs are used as a method of fishing that fixes the location of each weir and designates the boundaries of each cove in which those weirs are located. The map must be provided to municipalities by the commissioner. Owners of licensed weirs and applicants for a license may receive a map at cost. When an applicant for a license finds no designation on the map of cove boundaries for the cove where the applicant wants to construct a weir, the municipal officers from the city or town within which the weir will be located shall notify the commissioner of the intended location of the weir on the map. The commissioner shall designate boundaries for the cove. [RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. B, §57 (COR).]

4. Limitation on location of weirs. Weirs shall be licensed according to the following. A. After the effective date of this Act, no weir may be licensed for construction which is less than 2,000 feet from an existing weir. [PL 1983, c. 731, §2 (NEW).] B. Weirs which were licensed in 1983 and preceding years may continue to be licensed even when they are located less than 2,000 feet from an existing weir. [PL 1983, c. 731, §2 (NEW).] C. Any weir licensed in 1983 and preceding years for which the license expired as provided in section 1023 shall be required to be licensed as a new weir as provided in paragraph A . [PL 1983, c. 731, §2 (NEW).] [PL 1983, c. 731, §2 (NEW).]

5. Limitation on purse seining. No person may purse seine within 2,000 feet of a licensed weir in operating condition, except that no person may purse seine for herring within one mile of a weir in operating condition that is licensed prior to the effective date of this section. [PL 1983, c. 731, §2 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 6125 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 605 / Section 6125
12 §6125. Rules
Status: in_force

The Department of Marine Resources and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall jointly make rules defining "fish kill." [PL 1989, c. 275, §1 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 4807-G — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 6 / Chapter 423-A / Section 4807-G
12 §4807-G. Violations
Status: in_force

Each day of violation of any provision of this chapter or the rules enacted under this chapter is considered a separate offense. Alternatively, and in addition to being an offense, any use of land in violation of this chapter is considered to be a nuisance and the Department of Health and Human Services may seek an injunction to prevent or abate a violation of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter. [PL 1995, c. 462, Pt. A, §31 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6 (REV).]
12 M.R.S. § 152 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 1 / Chapter 1 / Section 152
12 §152. Hearing; determination
Status: in_force

Within 30 days after such a petition has been filed with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, it shall cause due notice to be given of a proposed hearing upon the question of the desirability and necessity, in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare, of the creation of such district, upon the question of the appropriate boundaries to be assigned to such district and upon all questions relevant to such inquiries. All occupiers of land within the limits of the territory described in the petition, and of lands within any territory considered for addition to such described territory, and all other interested parties shall have the right to attend such hearings and to be heard. If it shall appear upon the hearing that it may be desirable to include within the proposed district territory outside of the area within which due notice of the hearing has been given, the hearing shall be adjourned and due notice of further hearing shall be given throughout the entire area considered for inclusion in the district, and such further hearing held. After such hearing, if the committee shall determine, upon the facts presented at such hearing and upon such other relevant facts and information as may be available, that there is need, in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare, for a soil and water conservation district to function in the territory considered at the hearing, it shall make and record such determination and shall define the boundaries of such district. In making such determination and in defining such boundaries, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall give due weight and consideration to the topography of the area considered and of the state, the composition of soils in the proposed district, the distribution of erosion, the prevailing land-use practices, the desirability and necessity of including within the boundaries the particular lands under consideration and the benefits such lands may receive from being included within such boundaries, the relation of the proposed area to existing watersheds and agricultural regions, and to other districts already organized under this chapter, and such other physical, geographical and economic factors as are relevant. The territory to be included within such boundaries need not be contiguous. If the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall determine after such hearing, after due consideration of the said relevant facts, that there is no need for a soil and water conservation district to function in the territory, or any part thereof, considered at the hearing, it shall make and record such determination and shall deny the petition. After 6 months shall have expired from the date of the denial of any such petition, subsequent petitions covering the same or substantially the same territory may be filed, new hearings held and determinations made thereon. [PL 1969, c. 477, §1 (AMD); PL 1995, c. 532, §17 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §5 (REV).]
12 M.R.S. § 6954 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 627 / Section 6954
12 §6954. Dragging in cable area
Status: in_force

1. Violation. It is unlawful to operate any watercraft when towing a drag or trawl in any waters that are identified or marked as underwater cable or pipeline areas, either as shown on the most recently published United States Government nautical chart or as shown or described by rule adopted by the commissioner. The commissioner may make rules showing or describing the locations of underwater cables or pipelines that are not identified on the most recent United States Government nautical charts. A drag or trawl must be lifted out of the water to transit the cable area. [PL 1997, c. 78, §1 (AMD).]

2. Penalty. A violation of this section is a Class D crime, except that the minimum fine shall be $500 and may not be suspended. [PL 1987, c. 1, §2 (RPR).]
12 M.R.S. § 4611 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 4 / Chapter 419 / Section 4611
12 §4611. Annual appropriation -- Article XI
Status: in_force

The states party hereto agree to make annual appropriations to the support of the commission in proportion to the primary market value of the products of their fisheries, exclusive of cod and haddock, as recorded in the most recent published reports of the Fish and Wildlife Service of the United States Department of the Interior, provided no state shall contribute less than $200 per year and the annual contribution of each state above the minimum shall be figured to the nearest $100.

Budgets shall be recommended by a majority of the commission and the cost thereof allocated equitably among the states in accordance with their respective interests and submitted to the compacting states.
12 M.R.S. § 6854 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 625 / Section 6854
12 §6854. Lobster transportation license
Status: in_force

1. License required. A person may not engage in the activities authorized under this section without a current: A. Lobster transportation license; or [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. F, §28 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).] B. Supplemental lobster transportation license. [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. F, §28 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. F, §28 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

2. License activity. The holder of a lobster transportation license may buy from a licensed wholesale seafood dealer and transport beyond the state limits lobsters or their parts or meat. Lobster parts or meat may be transported only if they are properly permitted under section 6851‑B or 6857 or have been lawfully imported. [PL 2009, c. 523, §12 (AMD).]

3. License limitations. A license authorizes these activities with only one vehicle owned, leased or rented by the license holder. [PL 2001, c. 421, Pt. B, §58 (AMD); PL 2001, c. 421, Pt. C, §1 (AFF).]

4. Supplemental license. A supplemental license must be obtained for each additional vehicle. [PL 2001, c. 421, Pt. B, §58 (AMD); PL 2001, c. 421, Pt. C, §1 (AFF).]

5. Information required. Each application must identify each vehicle or other mode of transportation to be used for transporting lobster. [PL 2001, c. 421, Pt. B, §58 (AMD); PL 2001, c. 421, Pt. C, §1 (AFF).]

6. Fees. The fee for a lobster transportation license is $312 and the fee for a supplemental license is $63. [PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. G, §40 (AMD).]

7. Violation. A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2001, c. 421, Pt. B, §58 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 421, Pt. C, §1 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 1803 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 2 / Chapter 220 / Section 1803
12 §1803. General powers and duties of the bureau
Status: reserved

The Bureau of Parks and Lands: [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).]

1. Jurisdiction. Has jurisdiction, custody and control over and responsibility for managing: A. All state parks and historic sites and national parks that are controlled and managed by the State, except Baxter State Park; [PL 2001, c. 604, §2 (AMD).] B. Public reserved lands, nonreserved public lands, submerged lands and intertidal lands; [PL 2001, c. 604, §2 (AMD).] C. The Allagash Wilderness Waterway; and [PL 2001, c. 604, §2 (NEW).] D. Public boating facilities acquired or constructed and maintained pursuant to subchapter IX . [PL 2001, c. 604, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2001, c. 604, §2 (AMD).]

2. Consultant services. Shall employ or retain expert and professional consultants, contract for research and development projects and make grants as it determines necessary within the limits of funds available and consistent with the purposes of this chapter; [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW).]

3. Lifeguard training. Shall oversee the existing lifeguard training being conducted by the Lifeguard Academy. The training procedures must be in compliance with the guidelines for open-water lifeguard training promulgated by the United States Lifesaving Association; [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW).]

4. Cooperative agreements. Is authorized and empowered, with the consent of the commissioner, to enter into agreements with the Federal Government and other agencies and organizations that will promote the objectives of its enabling laws; [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW).]

5. Distribution of information. At the expense of the State, may cause copies of sections or parts of sections of this chapter and of other laws of the State relating to the administration of public lands to be printed and freely distributed. The bureau may prepare tracts or circulars of information on the administration of public lands, which must be available for distribution; and [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).]

6. Rules. From time to time shall adopt, amend, repeal and enforce reasonable rules necessary to carry out the duties assigned to it, including, but not limited to, rules: A. For the protection and preservation of state parks, historic sites, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, public boating facilities owned or managed by the bureau, submerged lands, public reserved lands and nonreserved public lands; [PL 2001, c. 604, §3 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).] B. For the protection and safety of the public; [PL 2001, c. 604, §3 (AMD).] C. For observance of the conditions and restrictions, expressed in deeds of trust or otherwise, of the state parks, historic sites, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, public boating facilities owned or managed by the bureau, submerged lands, public reserved lands and nonreserved public lands of the State and of monuments thereon; and [PL 2001, c. 604, §3 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).] D. For preservation of the natural beauty, historic integrity and character of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. [PL 2001, c. 604, §3 (NEW).] All rules of the bureau must be adopted in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II . [PL 2001, c. 604, §3 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).]

7. Exceptions. Notwithstanding subsection 6 or any other rule-making authority, the bureau may not adopt rules that prohibit the following persons from carrying a concealed handgun in the buildings or parts of buildings and other public property that are under the bureau’s jurisdiction: A. A person to whom a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun has been issued under Title 25, chapter 252 . The person must have in that person's possession the valid permit; [PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. A, §4 (AMD).] B. A person to whom a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun has been issued by another state if a permit to carry a concealed handgun issued from that state has been granted reciprocity under Title 25, chapter 252 . The person must have in that person's possession the valid permit; [PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. A, §4 (AMD).] C. An authorized federal, state or local law enforcement officer in the performance of that officer's official duties; [PL 2011, c. 394, §1 (NEW).] D. A qualified law enforcement officer pursuant to 18 United States Code, Section 926B. The law enforcement officer must have in that law enforcement officer's possession photographic identification issued by the law enforcement agency by which the person is employed as a law enforcement officer; and [PL 2011, c. 394, §1 (NEW).] E. A qualified retired law enforcement officer pursuant to 18 United States Code, Section 926C. The retired law enforcement officer must have in the retired law enforcement officer's possession: (1) Photographic identification issued by the law enforcement agency from which the person retired from service as a law enforcement officer that indicates that the person has, not less recently than one year before the date the person carries the concealed handgun, been tested or otherwise found by the agency to meet the standards established by the agency for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a handgun of the same type as the concealed handgun; or (2) Photographic identification issued by the law enforcement agency from which the person retired from service as a law enforcement officer and a certification issued by the state in which the person resides that indicates that the person has, not less recently than one year before the date the person carries the concealed handgun, been tested or otherwise found by that state to meet the standards established by that state for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a handgun of the same type as the concealed handgun. [PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. A, §4 (AMD).] [PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV); PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. A, §4 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 6749 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 623 / Section 6749
12 §6749. Sea urchin harvesting season and open days
Status: in_force

1. Closed season. It is unlawful for a person to fish for or take sea urchins from May 1st to August 31st. [PL 2001, c. 327, §8 (NEW).]

2. Open days. The commissioner, in consultation with the Sea Urchin Zone Council under section 6749‑X , shall establish by rule, within that area designated Zone 1 and that area designated as Zone 2 under section 6749‑N , the open days for those zones during which a person may fish for or take sea urchins. Rules may specify the open days for gear type and may further define more than one time period. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II‑A . [PL 2001, c. 327, §8 (NEW).]

3. Prohibition. It is unlawful for a person to possess aboard a vessel, fish for or take sea urchins on any day not designated as open to sea urchin harvesting under this section. [PL 2001, c. 327, §8 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 6208 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 609 / Section 6208
12 §6208. Marine resources' citation form
Status: in_force

1. Form. The commissioner shall designate the Uniform Summons and Complaint as the citation form to be used by the Bureau of Marine Patrol, except that the commissioner may permit the use of any citation forms approved by the Chief Judge of the District Court before May 1, 1991 that are in current stock as of May 1, 1991 until those stocks are depleted. [PL 1991, c. 459, §1 (AMD).]

2. Responsibility for issuance and disposition. Responsibility for issuance and disposition is as follows. A. The commissioner is responsible for all marine resources' citation forms approved by the Chief Judge of the District Court prior to May 1, 1991. The Department of Public Safety is responsible for all Uniform Summons and Complaint forms issued by the Bureau of Marine Patrol. The commissioner or the commissioner's designee is responsible for the further issuance of Uniform Summons and Complaint books to individual law enforcement officers and the proper disposition of those books. [PL 1991, c. 459, §1 (AMD).] B. [PL 1991, c. 459, §1 (RP).] [PL 1991, c. 459, §1 (AMD).]

3. Illegal disposition; prohibited act. It is unlawful and official misconduct for any marine patrol officer or other public employee to dispose of an official citation form or Uniform Summons and Complaint, except in accordance with law and as provided for in any applicable official policy or procedure of the Bureau of Marine Patrol. [PL 1991, c. 459, §1 (AMD).]

4. When a lawful complaint. If the citation provided for in this section or a Uniform Summons and Complaint is duly sworn to as required by law and otherwise legally sufficient in respect to the form of a complaint and charging an offense, it may be filed in a court having jurisdiction and constitutes a lawful complaint for the purpose of the commencement of any criminal prosecution or civil violation proceeding. [PL 1991, c. 459, §1 (AMD).]

5. When a lawful summons. A citation as provided for in this section or a Uniform Summons and Complaint, when served upon a person by a law enforcement officer, acts as a summons to appear in court or to otherwise respond in accordance with law on or before the date specified in the summons. Any person who fails to appear in court as directed by the summons or to otherwise respond in accordance with law on or before the date specified in the summons commits a Class E crime. Upon that person's failure to appear or to respond in accordance with law, the court may issue a warrant of arrest. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this subsection that the failure to appear or to respond resulted from just cause. [PL 1991, c. 459, §1 (AMD).]

6. Refusal to sign; prohibited act. Any person who refuses to sign a citation or Uniform Summons and Complaint after having been ordered to do so by a law enforcement officer commits a Class E crime. [PL 1991, c. 459, §1 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 6311 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 615 / Section 6311
12 §6311. Active duty military members
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Active duty for a period of more than 30 days" has the same meaning as in 10 United States Code, Section 101(d)(2). [PL 2013, c. 319, §3 (NEW).] B. "Limited entry fishery" means a fishery in which licenses are limited to individuals who have held a license in the previous year or a fishery that is otherwise restricted by a limited entry system. [PL 2013, c. 319, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2013, c. 319, §3 (AMD).]

2. Partial waiver of lobster apprentice requirements. Notwithstanding Title 37‑B, section 390‑A or any other provision of this Part, the commissioner shall waive a portion of the number of days and hours of practical lobster fishing experience required under the apprentice program established pursuant to section 6422, subsection 1 for a person who is a member of the National Guard or the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces if: A. The person was under an order to active duty for a period of more than 30 days; [PL 2005, c. 111, §2 (NEW).] B. The period of active duty conflicts with the requirements of the apprentice program; and [PL 2005, c. 111, §2 (NEW).] C. The person was licensed pursuant to section 6421, subsection 1, paragraphs D and E . [PL 2005, c. 111, §2 (NEW).] This waiver does not apply to the 2-year minimum required under section 6422, subsection 2 . [PL 2005, c. 111, §2 (NEW).]

3. Waiver of licensing requirements. Notwithstanding Title 37‑B, section 390‑A or any other provision of this Part, the commissioner shall waive the licensing eligibility requirements applicable to a limited entry fishery for a person who is a member of the National Guard or the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces and was under an order to active duty for a period of more than 30 days. This subsection does not apply to a person who did not possess a license for that limited entry fishery at the time of or in the calendar year prior to that person's being called to active duty. The waiver must be available for a period of up to 10 consecutive years of service, with no license fees being assessed during that time. For years consecutively served beyond 10 years, licensing eligibility requirements, other than licensing fees, must be waived. [PL 2013, c. 319, §3 (AMD).]

4. Limited application. This section applies only if the member's service is in support of: A. An operational mission for which members of the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces have been ordered to active duty without volunteering for that mission; [PL 2013, c. 319, §3 (AMD).] B. Forces activated during a period of war declared by the United States Congress or a period of national emergency declared by the President of the United States or the United States Congress; or [PL 2013, c. 319, §3 (AMD).] C. A response to a precipitating event for which the member was drafted or enlisted during a period of an active draft. [PL 2013, c. 319, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2013, c. 319, §3 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 685 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 2 / Chapter 206-A / Section 685
12 §685. Commission budget, financing and personnel
Status: in_force

The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall prepare a biennial budget and shall submit to the Legislature requests for appropriations sufficient to carry out its assigned tasks. The commission may accept contributions of any type from any source to assist it in carrying out its assigned tasks, and make such requirements in respect to the administration of such funds, not inconsistent with this subchapter, as are required as conditions precedent to receiving such funds, federal or otherwise. The commission shall give public notice of all contributions, in the state paper, stating the source, the amount and the purpose of such contributions. The commission may contract with municipal, county, state and federal governments or their agencies to assist in the carrying out of any of its assigned tasks. The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, with the consent of a majority of the commission, shall appoint a director who is the principal administrative, operational and executive employee of the commission. The director shall attend all meetings of the commission and is permitted to participate fully but is not a voting member of the commission. [PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §6 (REV); PL 2011, c. 682, §9 (AMD).]

The commission shall establish and maintain at least 2 field offices, one in Greenville and one in Ashland, designed principally to provide assistance to the public on permit applications and to carry out such other functions of the commission as appropriate. These field offices must be established at locations in or close to the commission's jurisdiction and chosen to provide the maximum benefit to the public while minimizing costs. Historic levels of permitting activity, the convenience of access and the availability and cost of office facilities must be considered in choosing the field office locations. Each office must be open on a part-time basis at least 2 days a month or as public demand for the services of such field offices warrants and as resources allow. Whenever practicable, the commission shall make use of existing personnel to staff these field offices. Personnel must receive regular training to address customer service and other needs. [PL 2011, c. 682, §9 (AMD).]

A dedicated account is established for the commission. This dedicated account is authorized to accept funding for commission-related activities, including surcharges for digital and online fee payments. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. U, §1 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 12752 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 925 / Section 12752
12 §12752. United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Status: in_force

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service and its duly authorized agents may conduct fish culture operations and scientific investigations in the waters of this State in such manner and at such times as the service and its agents consider necessary and proper. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 10753 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 913 / Section 10753
12 §10753. Proof of residency
Status: in_force

An applicant for a license or permit under this Part is responsible for submitting proof of residency to the agent or the department, or both. A resident license issued to a person unable to meet the residency requirements at the time the license was issued is invalid and must be returned to the commissioner upon request. A resident license is valid as long as the license holder continues to satisfy the residency requirements set out in section 10001, subsection 53 and the license is not revoked, suspended or otherwise invalid under this Part. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §86 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 1890-C — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 2 / Chapter 220 / Section 1890-C
12 §1890-C. Reporting (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 12, SECTION 1891-B)
Status: in_force

(REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 12, SECTION 1891-B)

The commissioner shall report on or before March 1st of each year to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over conservation matters regarding the state of the waterway, including its mission and goals, administration, education and interpretive programs, historic preservation efforts, visitor use and evaluation, ecological conditions and any natural character enhancements, general finances, income, expenditures and balance of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Permanent Endowment Fund, the department's annual budget request for the waterway operation in the coming fiscal year and current challenges and prospects for the waterway. [PL 2007, c. 695, Pt. A, §14 (RAL).]
12 M.R.S. § 1878 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 2 / Chapter 220 / Section 1878
12 §1878. Manner of acquisition by eminent domain
Status: in_force

Acquisition of property by the bureau by eminent domain pursuant to section 1877 must be made in the manner provided in Title 35-A, chapter 65 . [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).]
12 M.R.S. § 5304 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 8 / Chapter 433 / Section 5304
12 §5304. Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program Fund
Status: in_force

1. Fund established. The Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program Fund is established within the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service shall administer grant funds for the program in accordance with subsection 2 . The fund is nonlapsing and may be invested in the same manner as permitted for the investment of other state funds. [PL 2025, c. 84, §1 (NEW).]

2. Use of fund. For school year 2025-2026 and each school year thereafter, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service shall determine the funding needed for the program. The funding must be sufficient for students in all geographic regions of the State to participate in the program for a 2-night, 3-day experience. [PL 2025, c. 84, §1 (NEW).]

3. Sources of fund. The State Controller shall credit to the fund: A. All money appropriated or allocated by the Legislature for inclusion in the fund; [PL 2025, c. 84, §1 (NEW).] B. Money from any other source, whether public or private, designated for deposit into or credited to the fund; and [PL 2025, c. 84, §1 (NEW).] C. Interest earned or other investment income on balances in the fund. [PL 2025, c. 84, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 84, §1 (NEW).]

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service may use funds for staff and for administrative costs associated with administering grant funds for the program. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service is not required to provide grants under section 5302 , develop an evaluation and longitudinal study under section 5305, convene an advisory committee under section 5306 or undertake any other work or provide any other services for which it does not have sufficient funding. [PL 2025, c. 84, §1 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 6952-A — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 627 / Section 6952-A
12 §6952-A. Trawling, seining or netting for lobster
Status: in_force

1. Trawling, seining or netting for lobsters prohibited. A person may not: A. Fish for or take lobsters by use of a trawl, drag, dredge, seine or net; or [PL 2011, c. 266, Pt. A, §21 (AMD).] B. Possess any lobsters, regardless of their source, on board any boat rigged for dragging, trawling, dredging, seining or netting. [PL 2011, c. 266, Pt. A, §21 (AMD).] [PL 2011, c. 266, Pt. A, §21 (AMD).]

2. Exception; liberated alive. A person does not violate this section if the lobster is immediately liberated alive in the coastal waters. [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. F, §36 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

3. Exceptions; boats. This section does not apply to: A. A boat rigged for dragging, trawling, dredging or seining if all nets, drags and dredges are removed from the boat; or [PL 2011, c. 266, Pt. A, §22 (AMD).] B. A boat rigged for netting if there are no finfish taken by gill net aboard. [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. F, §36 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).] [PL 2011, c. 266, Pt. A, §22 (AMD).]

4. Penalty for possession. A violation of this section is a Class D crime, except that in addition to any punishment that may be imposed under Title 17‑A, Part 6 , the court shall impose a fine of $500 for each violation and, in addition, a fine of $100 for each lobster involved, up to and including the first 5, and a fine of $200 for each lobster in excess of 5, or, if the number of lobsters cannot be determined, a fine of not less than $1,000 or more than $5,000. [PL 2019, c. 113, Pt. C, §14 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 6404-E — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 617 / Section 6404-E
12 §6404-E. Suspension based on 3 or more convictions of possessing small sea urchins
Status: in_force

The commissioner shall suspend the sea urchin fishing license of any license holder convicted in court of a 3rd or subsequent offense of possessing sea urchins smaller than the minimum size established pursuant to section 6749-A . The suspension must be for at least one year from the date of conviction and may be up to 3 years. Any conviction occurring more than 5 years before the last conviction may not be counted in determining the suspension. [PL 2003, c. 200, §1 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 11251 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 915 / Section 11251
12 §11251. Open and closed seasons
Status: in_force

1. Open season on bear; commissioner's authority. This subsection governs the open and closed seasons on bear. A. The commissioner shall by rule establish an open season on hunting bear beginning no earlier than the 2nd Monday preceding September 1st and ending no later than November 30th annually. The commissioner may, pursuant to section 10104, subsection 1 , adopt rules prohibiting the use of bait or a dog or dogs to hunt black bear during any portion of the open bear hunting season. [PL 2021, c. 100, §5 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 100, §13 (AFF).] B. There is an open season on using a dog or dogs in conjunction with bear hunting during the open season on hunting bear established by the commissioner in accordance with paragraph A . [PL 2021, c. 100, §5 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 100, §13 (AFF).] C. [PL 2013, c. 408, §14 (RP).] D. [PL 2013, c. 408, §14 (RP).] Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2021, c. 100, §5 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 100, §13 (AFF).]

2. Youth bear hunting day. [PL 2017, c. 164, §12 (RP).]

3. Youth bear hunting day. The commissioner may establish by rule a youth hunting day for hunting bear. [PL 2017, c. 357, §1 (NEW).]

Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2017, c. 357, §1 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 6302-B — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 615 / Section 6302-B
12 §6302-B. Elver quota for federally recognized Indian tribes in the State
Status: in_force

If the commissioner adopts an elver individual fishing quota system pursuant to section 6505‑A, subsection 3‑A , this section governs the allocation of the elver quota to federally recognized Indian tribes in the State. [PL 2013, c. 485, §3 (NEW).]

1. Annual allocation. In accordance with section 6505‑A , the commissioner shall annually allocate 21.9% of the overall annual quota of elver fishery annual landings to the federally recognized Indian tribes in the State. If the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Mi'kmaq Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians reach an agreement regarding the division of this 21.9% portion of the overall annual quota among them and communicate in writing that agreement to the commissioner prior to March 1st of the year in which the quota is allocated, the commissioner shall allocate that portion of the quota in accordance with that agreement. If no agreement is reached, the commissioner shall allocate that portion of the quota in accordance with the following: A. To the Passamaquoddy Tribe, 14% of the overall annual quota; [PL 2013, c. 485, §3 (NEW).] B. To the Penobscot Nation, 6.4% of the overall annual quota; [PL 2013, c. 485, §3 (NEW).] C. To the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, 1.1% of the overall annual quota; and [PL 2013, c. 485, §3 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §4 (REV); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §5 (AFF).] D. To the Mi'kmaq Nation, 0.4% of the overall annual quota. [PL 2013, c. 485, §3 (NEW).] In making any allocations under this subsection, the commissioner shall reserve a portion no greater than 10% of each allocation in order to ensure that the quota is not exceeded. [PL 2013, c. 485, §3 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §4 (REV); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §5 (AFF).]

2. Individual allocations. The following provisions govern the allocation of the quotas established under subsection 1 to members of each of the federally recognized Indian tribes. A. The commissioner may enter into an agreement with a federally recognized Indian tribe in the State that does not provide for individual allocations of the quota established under subsection 1 to members of that tribe, nation or band. If the commissioner enters into an agreement pursuant to this paragraph, the following provisions apply. (1) An elver transaction card under section 6305 must be issued to each person to whom the tribe, nation or band issues a license under section 6302‑A, subsection 3 . (2) The holder of a license issued under section 6302‑A, subsection 3 must meet the reporting requirements established by rule pursuant to section 6173 . (3) The quota established under subsection 1 applies to all elvers taken under licenses issued by the tribe, nation or band under section 6302‑A, subsection 3 . (4) When the quota established under subsection 1 is reached, the department shall notify the tribe, nation or band. The commissioner may use the data collected from the elver transaction cards issued under subparagraph (1) to determine whether the overall annual quota established under subsection 1 has been reached. When the quota established under subsection 1 is reached, the holder of a license issued by the tribe, nation or band under section 6302‑A, subsection 3 may not thereafter take, possess or sell elvers. Taking, possessing or selling elvers after the quota established under subsection 1 is reached is deemed a violation by the license holder of the prohibition on fishing in excess of the person's individual quota in section 6505‑A, subsection 3‑A . [PL 2019, c. 642, §1 (AMD).] B. This paragraph governs the allocation of the quotas established in subsection 1 to members of a federally recognized Indian tribe in the State when the commissioner has not entered into an agreement with members of the tribe, nation or band under paragraph A that applies to members of that tribe, nation or band. (1) If there is no agreement under paragraph A between the commissioner and the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Passamaquoddy Tribe shall allocate to each person to whom it issues a license under section 6302‑A, subsection 3, paragraph E‑1 a specific amount of the quota allocated to the Passamaquoddy Tribe under subsection 1, paragraph A and shall provide documentation to the department of that allocation for each individual license holder. The Passamaquoddy Tribe shall allocate all of the quota that it has been allocated and may not alter any individual allocations once documentation has been provided to the department. (2) If there is no agreement under paragraph A between the commissioner and the Penobscot Nation, the Penobscot Nation shall allocate to each person to whom it issues a license under section 6302‑A, subsection 3, paragraph E a specific amount of the quota allocated to the Penobscot Nation under subsection 1, paragraph B and shall provide documentation to the department of that allocation for each individual license holder. The Penobscot Nation shall allocate all of the quota that it has been allocated and may not alter any individual allocations once documentation has been provided to the department. (3) If there is no agreement under paragraph A between the commissioner and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians shall allocate to each person to whom it issues a license under section 6302‑A, subsection 3, paragraph G a specific amount of the quota allocated to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians under subsection 1, paragraph C and shall provide documentation to the department of that allocation for each individual license holder. The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians shall allocate all of the quota that it has been allocated and may not alter any individual allocations once documentation has been provided to the department. (4) If there is no agreement under paragraph A between the commissioner and Mi'kmaq Nation, the Mi'kmaq Nation shall allocate to each person to whom it issues a license under section 6302‑A, subsection 3, paragraph F a specific amount of the quota allocated to the Mi'kmaq Nation under subsection 1, paragraph D and shall provide documentation to the department of that allocation for each individual license holder. The Mi'kmaq Nation shall allocate all of the quota that it has been allocated and may not alter any individual allocations once documentation has been provided to the department. [PL 2015, c. 391, §6 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §4 (REV); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §5 (AFF).] The department shall issue an elver transaction card under section 6305 to a person licensed by the Passamaquoddy Tribe under section 6302‑A, subsection 3, paragraph E -1, the Penobscot Nation under section 6302‑A, subsection 3, paragraph E, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians under section 6302‑A, subsection 3, paragraph G or the Mi'kmaq Nation under section 6302‑A, subsection 3, paragraph F only upon receipt of adequate documentation specifying the individual quota allocated to that person by the tribe, nation or band under this subsection. [PL 2019, c. 642, §1 (AMD); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §4 (REV); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §5 (AFF).]

3. Overage. If the total weight of elvers sold by persons licensed by the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Penobscot Nation, Mi'kmaq Nation or Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians exceeds the quota allocated under subsection 1 to that tribe, nation or band, the commissioner shall deduct the amount of the overage from any future allocation to that tribe, nation or band. If the overage exceeds the overall annual quota allocated to that tribe, nation or band for the following year, the overage must be deducted from the overall annual quota allocations to that tribe, nation or band in subsequent years until the entire overage has been accounted for. [PL 2013, c. 485, §3 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §4 (REV); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §5 (AFF).]

4. Emergency prohibition. The commissioner may adopt emergency rules to prohibit the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Mi'kmaq Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians from fishing for elvers under a license issued under this Title if the commissioner finds that the tribe, nation or band has authorized fishing for elvers in a way that the commissioner determines will cause the tribe, nation or band to exceed the annual allocation set forth in subsection 1 . [PL 2015, c. 391, §7 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §4 (REV); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §5 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 1861 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 2 / Chapter 220 / Section 1861
12 §1861. Submerged Lands Fund
Status: in_force

1. Fund established. All revenues from the activities of the bureau under section 1862 must be deposited with the Treasurer of State to be credited to the Submerged Lands Fund, which is established as a nonlapsing, dedicated fund and referred to in this section as the "fund." Any interest earned on this money must be credited to the fund. The fund is administered by the bureau. [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).]

2. Permissible uses. Money credited to the fund may be used to manage submerged lands pursuant to section 1862 , provide grants to municipalities pursuant to section 1863 and remove abandoned watercraft pursuant to this subchapter. [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW).]

3. Expenditure of funds. Money in the fund must be expended on the operating expenses of the bureau's submerged lands leasing program pursuant to section 1862 . Any funds available in excess of the amount needed for the bureau's submerged lands operating expenses must be expended in accordance with section 1863 and this subchapter. [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).]
12 M.R.S. § 10266 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 903 / Section 10266
12 §10266. Camp North Woods fund
Status: in_force

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. [PL 2015, c. 301, §4 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 10650-A — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 909 / Section 10650-A
12 §10650-A. Rule violation; motor vehicles on public water supplies
Status: in_force

1. Penalties. The following penalties apply to violations of rules regulating the operation of motor vehicles on public water supplies. A. A person who violates a rule regulating the operation of motor vehicles on public water supplies commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §67 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] B. A person who violates a rule regulating the operation of motor vehicles on public water supplies after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §67 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §67 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 6431 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 619 / Section 6431
12 §6431. Lobster measurement
Status: in_force

1. Minimum and maximum length. Except as provided in subsections 1‑A and 1‑B , a person may not buy, sell, give away, transport, ship or possess any lobster that is less than 3 1/4 inches or more than 5 inches in length, as determined by the lobster measure certified in accordance with subsection 3 . A. [PL 2005, c. 6, §1 (RP).] B. [PL 2005, c. 6, §1 (RP).] C. [PL 1991, c. 31, §1 (RP); PL 1991, c. 31, §2 (AFF).] D. [PL 1991, c. 31, §1 (RP); PL 1991, c. 31, §2 (AFF).] [PL 2021, c. 512, §1 (AMD).]

1-A. Most restrictive minimum size. A person possessing a valid lobster and crab fishing license and who also owns or is incorporated or partnered in a vessel or vessels that hold federal limited access lobster permits must comply with the most restrictive minimum lobster size for all federal lobster management areas declared on the federal permit designated on that person's Maine lobster and crab fishing license application, whenever the fishing activity occurs. The applicable most restrictive minimum lobster size is contained in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster. [PL 2005, c. 397, Pt. C, §9 (AMD).]

1-B. Compliance with interstate fishery management plan. The commissioner may adopt rules to set minimum and maximum lobster sizes different from those specified in subsection 1 when necessary to comply with changes to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . The commissioner shall notify the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resources matters when initiating rulemaking pursuant to this subsection. [PL 2021, c. 512, §2 (NEW).]

2. Method of measurement. Measurement shall be made from the rear of the eye socket along a line parallel to the center line of the body shell to the rear end of the body shell. [PL 1977, c. 661, §5 (NEW).]

3. Certified lobster measure. The department shall use a lobster measure that is certified for accuracy by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Office of Sealer of Weights and Measures. The measure must conform to the legal lobster sizes in effect at the time. Any measurement used to substantiate a violation of this section must be made with a certified lobster measure. [PL 2011, c. 266, Pt. A, §10 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §5 (REV).]

4. Mutilation. It shall be unlawful to possess any lobster, or part thereof, which is mutilated in a manner which makes accurate measurement impossible, except that any person, firm or corporation may possess lobster tails removed under section 6851‑B . [PL 2009, c. 523, §7 (AMD).]

5. Exception for immediate liberation. No violation of this section shall occur if the illegal lobster is immediately liberated alive into the coastal waters when taken. [PL 1977, c. 661, §5 (NEW).]

6. Exception; wholesale seafood dealer with lobster permit; rules. This section does not apply to live lobsters imported by a holder of a wholesale seafood license with a lobster permit to another wholesale seafood license holder with a lobster permit if the containers are sealed in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner; or to imported lobsters being shipped or transported out-of-state if they are in containers sealed in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner. The commissioner may adopt or amend rules to prescribe the time, manner and method of sealing containers for the effective operation of this subsection. The rules may contain a requirement for a special permit and provisions for inspection of the containers, contents and seals. Rules adopted under this subsection are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2011, c. 247, §1 (AMD).]

6-A. Grace period. There is a 180-day grace period following the effective date of each of the minimum size increases as provided in this section within which a person holding a wholesale or retail seafood dealer license or a lobster transportation license may handle lobsters legally purchased or received in the prior year which do not meet the new minimum size requirements. [PL 1987, c. 550 (NEW).]

6-B. Exception; lobster processing; rules. A person who holds both a wholesale seafood license with a lobster permit and a lobster processor license and who possesses lobster in accordance with subsection 6 may process those imported lobsters in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner, as long as the following criteria are met: A. The lobsters are not harvested or landed in this State; [PL 2011, c. 247, §2 (NEW).] B. The lobsters are legal in the waters from which they were harvested; and [PL 2011, c. 247, §2 (NEW).] C. The lobsters are not less than the minimum size established in this section. [PL 2011, c. 247, §2 (NEW).] Lobster tails processed under this subsection may not be offered for sale within this State in the wholesale or retail trade. Lobster meat processed from the claws and knuckles may be sold within this State in the wholesale or retail trade. This subsection takes effect November 1, 2011. [PL 2013, c. 301, §8 (AMD).]

7. Penalty. Possession of lobsters in violation of this section is a Class D crime, except that the court shall impose a fine of $500 for each violation and, in addition, a fine of $100 for each lobster involved, up to and including the first 5, and a fine of $200 for each lobster in excess of 5, or, if the number of lobsters cannot be determined, a fine of not less than $1,000 or more than $5,000. [PL 2013, c. 468, §14 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 8847 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 11 / Chapter 805 / Section 8847
12 §8847. Enforcement agencies
Status: in_force

State police, county sheriffs, municipal law enforcement officers, state forest rangers and game wardens are authorized to make inspections, investigations, arrests and disposals of trees and boughs under this Article. [PL 1983, c. 507, §4 (RPR).]
12 M.R.S. § 10651 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 909 / Section 10651
12 §10651. Failure to stop for law enforcement officer
Status: in_force

1. Prohibition. A person may not: A. Fail or refuse to stop a motor vehicle or other conveyance immediately upon request or signal of any officer in uniform whose duty it is to enforce this Part; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. Fail to stop or move that person's watercraft upon being ordered or directed to do so by any law enforcement officer in uniform whose duty it is to enforce chapter 935 ; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] C. Fail or refuse to stop any snowmobile on request or signal of any law enforcement officer in uniform whose duty it is to enforce chapter 937 ; [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 695, Pt. B, §5 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 695, Pt. C, §1 (AFF).] D. Fail or refuse to stop any all-terrain vehicle on request or signal of any law enforcement officer in uniform whose duty it is to enforce chapter 939 ; or [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 695, Pt. B, §5 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 695, Pt. C, §1 (AFF).] E. Attempt to elude a law enforcement officer by: (1) Operating or attempting to operate an all-terrain vehicle or snowmobile past a clearly identifiable police roadblock; or (2) After being requested or signaled to stop by a law enforcement officer in uniform, operating or attempting to operate an all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile or watercraft at a reckless rate of speed. [PL 2019, c. 452, §1 (AMD).] [PL 2019, c. 452, §1 (AMD).]

2. Penalty. A person who violates subsection 1, paragraph A , B or C commits a Class E crime. A person who violates subsection 1, paragraph D or E commits a Class D crime, for which a minimum fine of not less than $1,000 must be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 695, Pt. B, §7 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 695, Pt. C, §1 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 6210 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 609 / Section 6210
12 §6210. Procedure for administrative assessment of penalty for pecuniary gain
Status: in_force

The department in an adjudicatory proceeding may impose an administrative penalty for a violation of section 6575‑K or section 6864, subsection 7‑A equal to the pecuniary gain from that violation in accordance with this section. [PL 2013, c. 485, §1 (AMD).]

1. Definition. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, "pecuniary gain" means the amount of money or the value of property at the time a person violates section 6575‑K or section 6864, subsection 7‑A that the person derives from the violation. [PL 2013, c. 485, §1 (AMD).]

2. Initiation and notice. If the Chief of the Bureau of Marine Patrol delivers to the commissioner a written statement under oath that the chief has probable cause to suspect that a violation of section 6575‑K or section 6864, subsection 7‑A has been committed, the commissioner shall immediately examine the statement and determine whether to conduct an adjudicatory proceeding for the purpose of imposing an administrative penalty under this section. If the commissioner determines that the imposition of a penalty is necessary, the commissioner shall immediately notify the person who is alleged to have violated the law in accordance with Title 5, section 9052 . The notice must state that the person may request a hearing in writing within 10 days of the notice. The notice is deemed received 3 days after the mailing. [PL 2015, c. 172, §2 (AMD).]

3. Hearing. If a hearing is requested pursuant to subsection 2 , it must be held within 30 business days after receipt by the commissioner of the request for a hearing, except that a hearing may be held more than 30 business days after the request if the delay is requested by the person requesting the hearing and mutually agreed to in writing. The hearing must be held in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, except that: A. Notwithstanding Title 5, section 9057 , issues of the hearing are limited to whether the person requesting the hearing committed a violation of section 6575‑K or section 6864, subsection 7‑A ; and [PL 2013, c. 485, §1 (AMD).] B. Notwithstanding Title 5, section 9061 , the decision of the presiding officer under Title 5, section 9062 must be made not more than 10 business days after completion of the hearing. The presiding officer must be the commissioner or the commissioner's designee. [PL 2013, c. 468, §8 (NEW).] Any decision to impose an administrative penalty under this section must be based on evidence in the record of the pecuniary gain, which may include evidence of the fair market value of any elvers illegally possessed by the person at the time the violation was committed. The penalty may be based on evidence of the amount of money or value of property the person received for elvers sold in violation of section 6575‑K or section 6864, subsection 7‑A . [PL 2013, c. 485, §1 (AMD).]

4. Appeal. A decision of the commissioner or the commissioner's designee to assess an administrative penalty for pecuniary gain pursuant to this section may be appealed to the Superior Court if the appeal is filed with the court within 30 days of the decision. [PL 2013, c. 468, §8 (NEW).]

5. Request for hearing on penalty amount; place of hearing. The license holder may request a hearing regarding the amount of the administrative penalty assessed under this section. A hearing must be requested in writing within 10 days from the receipt of the notice of the penalty. The hearing must be held within 10 days of the request unless a longer period of time is mutually agreed to by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee and the license holder who requests the hearing in writing. The hearing must be conducted in the Augusta area. [PL 2013, c. 468, §8 (NEW).]

6. Disposition of penalty. The commissioner shall deposit any payments for administrative penalties collected pursuant to this section into the Eel and Elver Management Fund established under section 6505‑D . [PL 2013, c. 468, §8 (NEW).]

7. Renewal of licenses. If a holder of a license issued under section 6302‑A , 6505‑A or 6864 fails to make payment of a pecuniary gain penalty assessed under this section, the commissioner may refuse to renew that holder's license until the holder complies with the payment requirements. [PL 2015, c. 172, §3 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 13112 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 937 / Section 13112
12 §13112. Racing meets
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding section 10650 and section 13106‑A, subsections 14‑A , 15 and 16 , snowmobiles operated at a prearranged racing meet whose sponsor has obtained a permit to hold such a meet from the commissioner are exempt from the provisions of this chapter concerning registration, noise, horsepower and lights during the time of operation at such meets and at all prerace practices at the location of the meet. [PL 2017, c. 71, §3 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 1807 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 2 / Chapter 220 / Section 1807
12 §1807. Sustainable harvest level
Status: reserved

Except as provided in this section, timber harvesting on public reserved lands and nonreserved public lands may not exceed in total an average of 160,000 cords per year over any 3-year period. If an independent timber inventory conducted after July 1, 2015 establishes a different sustainable harvest, the department, upon recommendation from staff within the bureau based on opinions of silvicultural experts in public reserved lands management and data from the most recent physical forest inventory, may adopt by rule a different harvesting level consistent with the most recent physical forest inventory, as long as the harvesting level is also consistent with multiple use objectives, existing management plans and the department's most recent integrated resource policy for public reserved and nonreserved public lands, state parks and state historic sites. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A and must be reviewed by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over public reserved and nonreserved public lands matters. [PL 2017, c. 289, §1 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 682-B — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 2 / Chapter 206-A / Section 682-B
12 §682-B. Exemption from subdivision definition
Status: in_force

A division accomplished by the following does not create a subdivision lot or lots unless the intent of the transfer is to avoid the objectives of this chapter. [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).]

1. Gifts to relatives. A division of land accomplished by gift to a spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or sibling of the donor of the lot or parcel does not create a subdivision lot if the donor has owned the lot or parcel for a continuous period of 5 years immediately preceding the division by gift and the lot or parcel is not further divided or transferred within 5 years from the date of division. [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).]

2. Transfer to governmental entity. A lot or parcel transferred to a municipality or county of the State, the State or an agency of the State is not considered a subdivision lot if the following conditions are met: A. The lot or parcel is held by the governmental entity for the conservation and protection of natural resources, public outdoor recreation or other bona fide public purposes and is not further sold or divided for a period of 20 years following the date of transfer; and [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).] B. At the time of transfer the transferee provides written notice to the commission of transfer of the lot or parcel, including certification that the lot or parcel qualifies for exemption under this subsection. [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).]

3. Transfer to conservation organization. A lot or parcel transferred to a nonprofit, tax-exempt nature conservation organization qualifying under the United States Internal Revenue Code, Section 501(c)(3) is not considered a subdivision lot if the following conditions are met: A. For a period of at least 20 years following the transfer, the lot or parcel must be limited by deed restriction or conservation easement for the protection of wildlife habitat or ecologically sensitive areas or for public outdoor recreation; and [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).] B. The lot or parcel is not further divided or transferred except to another qualifying nonprofit, tax-exempt nature conservation organization or governmental entity. [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).]

4. Transfer of lots for forest management, agricultural management or conservation of natural resources. A lot or parcel is not considered a subdivision lot if the following conditions are met: A. The lot is transferred and managed solely for forest management, agricultural management or conservation of natural resources; [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).] B. The lot is at least 40 acres in size; [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).] C. If the lot is less than 1,000 acres in size, no portion of the lot is located within 1,320 feet of the normal high water line of any great pond or river or within 250 feet of the upland edge of a coastal or freshwater wetland as defined in Title 38, section 436-A ; [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).] D. The original parcel from which the lot was divided is divided into an aggregate of no more than 10 lots within any 5-year period; and [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).] E. When 3 to 10 lots each containing at least 40 acres in size are created within any 5-year period, a plan is recorded in accordance with section 685-B, subsection 6-A . Any subsequent division of a lot created from the original parcel within 10 years of the recording of the plan in the registry of deeds or any structural development unrelated to forest management, agricultural management or conservation creates a subdivision and may not occur without prior commission approval. [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).]

5. Unauthorized subdivision lots in existence for at least 20 years. A lot or parcel that when sold or leased created a subdivision requiring a permit under this chapter is not considered a subdivision lot and is exempt from the permit requirement if the permit has not been obtained and the subdivision has been in existence for 20 or more years. A lot or parcel is considered a subdivision lot and is not exempt under this subsection if: A. Approval of the subdivision under section 685-B was denied by the commission and record of the commission's decision was recorded in the appropriate registry of deeds; [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).] B. A building permit for the lot or parcel was denied by the commission under section 685-B and record of the commission's decision was recorded in the appropriate registry of deeds; [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).] C. The commission has filed a notice of violation of section 685-B with respect to the subdivision in the appropriate registry of deeds; or [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).] D. The lot or parcel has been the subject of an enforcement action or order and record of that action or order was recorded in the appropriate registry of deeds. [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).]

6. Permit not required. Nothing in this section requires a permit for, or restricts the use of property for, hunting, fishing or other forms of primitive recreation, use of motorized vehicles on roads and trails or snowmobiling as otherwise permitted by law. [PL 2001, c. 431, §3 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 13073 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 935 / Section 13073
12 §13073. Harbor masters on inland waters; violations
Status: in_force

A person who neglects or refuses to obey any lawful order of a harbor master authorized pursuant to section 13072 commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 1829 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 2 / Chapter 220 / Section 1829
12 §1829. Restrictions on powers and duties of bureau
Status: in_force

The powers and duties of the bureau as set forth in this subchapter may not be so construed as to interfere or conflict in any way with the powers and duties of the United States and its national park areas under national control, Baxter State Park or the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the enforcement of the inland fisheries and game laws with respect to state parks or to the State generally. [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).]
12 M.R.S. § 10903 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 913 / Section 10903
12 §10903. Effective date for suspensions
Status: in_force

1. For mandatory suspension. For a violation having a minimum statutory suspension period, a suspension is effective upon conviction or adjudication and the license holder must surrender the license immediately to the commissioner. That person is not entitled to a hearing under section 10905 if the suspension period does not exceed the minimum period of suspension required by law. In addition to any suspension period ordered by the commissioner, a person whose license is suspended for a violation having a mandatory suspension must successfully complete an outdoor ethics course as provided in section 10903‑A in order to be eligible to have that license reinstated. A person is not required to complete the outdoor ethics course under section 10903‑A if that person's license is revoked under the interstate wildlife violator compact authorized in accordance with section 10103 as a result of a conviction occurring outside of the State and that person has met the eligibility requirements for reinstatement of the license in the state in which the conviction occurred. [PL 2013, c. 538, §12 (AMD).]

2. For all other suspensions. For a violation that does not have a minimum statutory suspension period, a suspension is effective upon written notification of suspension by the commissioner. That person must surrender that license to the commissioner upon receipt of a notice of suspension and is entitled to a hearing under section 10905 . The commissioner shall adopt rules specifying the conditions under which a person whose license is suspended for a violation that does not carry a mandatory suspension is required to complete an outdoor ethics course as provided in section 10903‑A . Rules adopted under this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2013, c. 538, §12 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 6803-C — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 623 / Section 6803-C
12 §6803-C. Cobscook Bay Rockweed Management Area
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Cobscook Bay Rockweed Management Area" means the area of Cobscook Bay westward and within a line between the southernmost tip of Estes Head due east to the Canadian border and south along the border to the Franklin D. Roosevelt International Memorial Bridge. [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).] B. "Rockweed" means Ascophyllum nodosum. [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

2. Designation of areas closed to harvesting. The commissioner shall identify areas within the Cobscook Bay Rockweed Management Area that are closed to the commercial harvest of rockweed, including, but not limited to, areas around public and private conservation areas, state parks and federally owned lands and lobster nursery areas. The commissioner shall identify and close to the commercial harvest of rockweed up to 30 acres within Cobscook Bay for the purpose of research. [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

3. Harvest management sectors. The commissioner shall divide the Cobscook Bay Rockweed Management Area into at least 14 harvest management sectors to: A. Evenly distribute harvest effort; [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).] B. Allow easy identification of the harvest management sectors from land or on the water; and [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).] C. Facilitate enforcement. [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).] The department shall post the harvest management sectors on the department's publicly accessible website with the coordinates of closed areas. [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

4. Harvest plan. Except as provided in section 6803, subsection 2, paragraph C , a person harvesting rockweed for commercial purposes shall participate in an annual harvest plan approved by the department. [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

5. Eligibility for harvest plan. To be eligible to submit an annual harvest plan to harvest rockweed within the Cobscook Bay Rockweed Management Area, a harvester or that harvester's representative must notify the commissioner of that person's intent to harvest within the area before January 1st of the proposed year of harvest. [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

6. Allocation of sectors. Prior to submitting an annual harvest plan, eligible harvesters or their representatives must meet as needed to allocate harvest management sectors. [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

7. Annual harvest plan. An annual harvest plan must include, but is not limited to, the following: A. The name and telephone number of the person or entity responsible for the harvest management sector; [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).] B. Identification of harvest management sectors proposed for harvest; [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).] C. Total rockweed biomass contained in the harvest management sector based on a survey conducted within the previous 3 years; [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).] D. The biomass amount proposed to be harvested; [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).] E. A description of the methods of harvest; [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).] F. A description of how marine organisms harvested with the rockweed will be managed; and [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).] G. A description of harvester training. [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

8. Annual harvest plans. Eligible harvesters or their representatives shall submit their annual harvest plans to the commissioner no later than March 1st. The annual harvest plans must be made available to the public on that date. [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

9. Biomass harvest limit. The total biomass removed in a harvest management sector may not exceed 17% of the harvestable biomass that is eligible to be harvested annually. A harvester must report to the commissioner the total biomass removed by that harvester within a sector annually. Beginning January 1, 2010, the harvest report must be verified by an independent 3rd party. [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

10. Bycatch. A person harvesting rockweed must make a reasonable effort to remove marine organisms harvested with the rockweed from the harvested rockweed and return those marine organisms alive back into Cobscook Bay as soon as practicable. [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

11. Penalties. A person that violates this section commits a Class E crime for which a fine of not less than $1,000 must be adjudged. Each day a person violates this section constitutes a separate violation. [PL 2009, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 10902 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 913 / Section 10902
12 §10902. Suspension or revocation of or refusal to issue license or permit
Status: in_force

1. Conviction or adjudication of violation. Any conviction, adjudication, deferred disposition pursuant to Title 17‑A, section 1902, subsection 1 or written filing agreement with the State pursuant to the Maine Rules of Unified Criminal Procedure, Rule 11B for a violation of this Part is grounds for suspension of any license or permit issued under this Part. Except when provided by law, the commissioner shall determine the suspension period. To suspend a license or permit based upon a conviction or adjudication, the commissioner shall follow the procedures under section 10903 . A suspension or revocation of a license by the District Court is subject to the provisions of subsection 5 . [PL 2023, c. 265, §1 (AMD).]

2. Refusal to issue license or permit. If a person is convicted, is adjudicated, enters into a deferred disposition pursuant to Title 17‑A, section 1902, subsection 1 or enters into a written filing agreement with the State pursuant to the Maine Rules of Unified Criminal Procedure, Rule 11B in violation of any provision of this Part and is not the holder of a valid license or permit issued under this Part, the commissioner may refuse to issue a related license or permit to that person for up to 5 years following the date of conviction or adjudication, except when the killing or wounding of a human being has occurred, in which case the commissioner may refuse to issue the license or permit for a period of not less than 5 years. [PL 2023, c. 265, §2 (AMD).]

3. Failure to pay fine; reinstatement fee. If a license, permit or registration is suspended pursuant to this section or Title 14, section 3142 , the suspension remains in effect until the person pays the fine and the reinstatement fee under subsection 11 . For the purposes of this subsection, "fine" has the same meaning as in Title 14, section 3141, subsection 1 . [PL 2021, c. 411, §2 (AMD).]

4. Mandatory revocation of all licenses issued by the department. A person's license must be revoked under the following circumstances. A. If a person holding a license or permit under this chapter is convicted of the violation of any provision of Title 17‑A while on a hunting or fishing trip or in the pursuit of wild animals, wild birds or fish, the commissioner shall revoke the license or permit held by that person for a period of at least one year, except when the killing or wounding of a human being has occurred, in which case the commissioner shall revoke the license or permit for at least 5 years. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. Any license issued by the department in effect at the time a person is convicted of a violation of section 12256 , disturbing traps, is revoked upon conviction and must be immediately surrendered to the commissioner and the person is ineligible to obtain any license issued by the department as specified in section 10752, subsection 6, paragraph A . [PL 2013, c. 538, §4 (AMD).] C. If an habitual violator, as defined in section 10605, subsection 1 , is convicted or adjudicated of a violation of any provision of this Part, the commissioner shall revoke all licenses and permits held by that person. That person is ineligible to have a license for a period to be determined by the commissioner, which may not be less than 3 years from the date of revocation. A hearing for a person whose licenses and permits have been revoked under this paragraph is governed by the following. (1) A person whose licenses and permits have been revoked under this paragraph may, within 30 days of the effective date of the revocation, petition for a hearing before the commissioner to show cause why the licenses and permits should not have been revoked. (2) If, after the hearing, the commissioner finds that the petitioner's record does not bring the petitioner within the definition of an habitual violator, the commissioner shall rescind the revocation. If the commissioner finds that the petitioner's record does bring the petitioner within the definition of an habitual violator, the revocation remains in effect. If the petitioner denies any of the facts contained in the record, the petitioner has the burden of proof. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §98 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] [PL 2013, c. 538, §4 (AMD).]

5. Hunting license revocation or suspension for endangerment or harm to another. The commissioner may bring a complaint in the District Court seeking to revoke or suspend the current hunting license or the privilege to obtain a hunting license of any person whom the commissioner reasonably believes to have killed, wounded or recklessly endangered the safety of another human being while hunting in this State or another jurisdiction. The District Court shall revoke or suspend the person's license or privilege for a period of at least 5 years if the court finds that the person, while hunting, has killed, wounded or recklessly endangered the safety of another human being and the public safety will be endangered by the person's retention of that license or privilege. For the purpose of this subsection, "recklessly" has the same meaning as that set out in Title 17‑A, section 35, subsection 3 . A. A person whose hunting license has been revoked or suspended or whose right to hunt or the right to obtain a hunting license has been denied under this subsection, may, after the expiration of one year from the date of the revocation or suspension, petition the commissioner for restoration of the person's privilege to procure such a license. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. The commissioner, after hearing, may restore the petitioner's privilege if the commissioner determines that the public safety will not be endangered by restoring that privilege. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] C. [PL 2013, c. 375, §3 (RP).] [PL 2013, c. 375, §3 (AMD).]

6. Mandatory hunting license revocation for certain violations. The commissioner shall suspend a person's hunting license for at least one year and may suspend any other license issued under this Part and held by that person if that person is convicted of: A. A closed season violation, in violation of section 11201 as it relates to bear, deer or moose; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. Hunting while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, in violation of section 10701 ; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] C. Night hunting, in violation of section 11206 ; [PL 2011, c. 253, §14 (AMD).] D. Discharging a firearm or archery equipment within 100 yards of a residential dwelling without owner permission, in violation of section 11209 ; [PL 2025, c. 132, §3 (AMD).] E. Buying or selling bear in violation of section 11217 or hunting or trapping bear or exceeding the bag limit on bear in violation of section 11351 ; [PL 2021, c. 100, §1 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 100, §13 (AFF).] F. Buying or selling deer, exceeding the bag limit on deer or hunting deer after having killed one in violation of section 11217 or 11501 or unlawfully hunting or possessing an antlerless deer in a wildlife management district in which the taking of antlerless deer is not allowed in violation of section 11152, subsection 1‑A ; [PL 2021, c. 599, §2 (AMD).] G. Buying or selling moose, unlawfully hunting moose or unlawfully possessing moose, in violation of section 11154 , 11217 , 11601 , 11651‑A , 11652 , 12302‑A , 12304‑B , 12305 or 12403 ; [PL 2021, c. 54, §3 (AMD).] H. Buying or selling wild turkeys, unlawfully hunting wild turkeys, unlawfully possessing wild turkeys or using unlawful methods to hunt wild turkeys, in violation of section 11217, subsection 1 ; section 11751‑A ; section 11801 ; or section 12306, subsection 1 ; [PL 2013, c. 538, §6 (AMD).] I. Hunting bear over another person's bait without written permission of that person in violation of section 11301, subsection 1‑A ; [PL 2021, c. 580, §3 (AMD).] J. Hunting or any violation of section 10906 while that person's license is revoked; or [PL 2021, c. 580, §4 (AMD).] K. A 2nd violation of civil trespass with a hunting dog in violation of section 10657‑A . [PL 2021, c. 580, §5 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 132, §3 (AMD).]

6-A. Mandatory hunting license revocation when using a suppressor. The commissioner shall suspend a person's hunting license for at least 3 years if that person is convicted of any violation listed in subsection 6 and found to have been in possession, at the time of the offense, of a firearm with a device used to suppress or deaden the sound or natural report of the firearm. [PL 2021, c. 112, §1 (NEW).]

7. Mandatory hunting license revocation; coyote hunting violation. A hunting license of a person convicted of hunting coyote in violation of section 11160 or 12001 must be revoked and that person is ineligible to obtain any hunting license for a period of one year from the date of conviction. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §100 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

7-A. Hunting with night vision equipment or thermal imaging device. A hunting license of a person convicted of night hunting in violation of section 11206, subsection 1 and found to have been in possession of night vision equipment or a thermal imaging device at the time of the offense must be revoked, and that person is ineligible to obtain a hunting license for a period of 5 years from the date of conviction. [PL 2021, c. 54, §4 (AMD).]

7-B. Destroying or defacing property posting signs. A license, permit or registration issued by the department in effect at the time a person is convicted of destroying, tearing down, defacing or otherwise damaging a property posting sign in violation of section 10652, subsection 1, paragraph A must be revoked, and that person is ineligible to obtain any license, permit or registration issued by the department for a period of one year from the date of conviction. [PL 2021, c. 54, §5 (AMD).]

7-C. Hunting deer over bait. A hunting license of a person adjudicated of placing or hunting over bait in violation of section 11452, subsection 1 must be revoked, and that person is ineligible to obtain a hunting license as follows: A. For a first offense, for a period of one year from the date of adjudication; and [PL 2019, c. 630, §2 (AMD).] B. For a 2nd offense, for a period of 2 years from the date of adjudication. [PL 2019, c. 630, §2 (AMD).] [PL 2019, c. 630, §2 (AMD).]

7-D. Civil trespass with hunting dog. The commissioner shall revoke the dog training and hunting permit of a person convicted or adjudicated of civil trespass with a hunting dog in violation of section 10657‑A , and that person is ineligible to obtain a dog training and hunting permit under section 11163 as follows: A. For a first offense, for a period of one year from the date of adjudication; and [PL 2021, c. 580, §6 (NEW).] B. For a 2nd offense, for a period of 2 years from the date of adjudication. [PL 2021, c. 580, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 580, §6 (NEW).]

8. Mandatory revocation of fishing license. The commissioner shall suspend a person's fishing license for at least one year and may suspend any other license issued under this Part and held by that person if that person is convicted or adjudicated of: A. Introducing fish into a private pond without a permit in violation of section 12511 ; [PL 2013, c. 358, §2 (AMD).] B. Taking or possessing sport fish in violation of bag, weight and size limits in violation of section 12602 , as it relates to trout, salmon, togue and black bass, whenever the violation involves twice the general bag and possession limit adopted by rule by the commissioner for that species of fish; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B-1. [PL 2013, c. 358, §2 (RP).] C. Importing live bait fish or smelts, in violation of section 12556 ; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] D. Buying or selling freshwater sport fish, in violation of section 12609‑A ; [PL 2013, c. 538, §9 (AMD).] E. Taking fish by explosive, poisonous or stupefying substances, in violation of section 12653 ; [PL 2025, c. 343, §1 (AMD).] F. Fishing or any violation of section 10906 while that person's license is revoked; or [PL 2025, c. 343, §2 (AMD).] G. Illegally possessing live fish, in violation of section 12611 . [PL 2025, c. 343, §3 (NEW).] The commissioner shall suspend a person's fishing license for 10 years and may suspend any other license issued under this Part and held by that person if the person is convicted or adjudicated of an offense under sections 12509 , 12510 and 12512 , except that this mandatory revocation does not apply to offenses under section 12509 involving live bait fish or smelts. [PL 2025, c. 343, §§1-4 (AMD).]

9. Discretionary suspension for certain ATV violations; training. The commissioner may suspend all licenses, permits and registrations issued by the department pursuant to this Part to any person convicted or adjudicated of: A. Operating an ATV on a temporarily closed trail as prohibited under section 13157‑A, subsection 24 ; or [PL 2005, c. 626, §1 (AMD).] B. [PL 2005, c. 626, §1 (RP).] C. [PL 2005, c. 626, §1 (RP).] D. [PL 2005, c. 626, §1 (RP).] E. [PL 2005, c. 626, §1 (RP).] F. Operating an ATV on the land of another without permission, as prohibited under section 13157‑A, subsection 1‑A . [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §8 (AMD).] G. [PL 2005, c. 626, §1 (RP).] If the commissioner suspends a license, permit or registration pursuant to this subsection, the suspension must be for at least 90 days. The commissioner shall reinstate licenses, permits and registrations that have been suspended pursuant to this subsection after the period of suspension has elapsed and after the person satisfactorily completes, in accordance with procedures established by the commissioner by rule, a training program approved by the department relating to safety and ethics in the operation of ATVs. The costs of this training program are borne by the person undertaking the training. The commissioner shall establish by rule the procedures for completion of mandatory training pursuant to this subsection. A person who satisfactorily completes a training program approved by the department pursuant to this subsection is deemed to have satisfied the outdoor ethics training course requirements established under section 10903 . Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §8 (AMD).]

10. Mandatory suspension for certain ATV, snowmobile and watercraft violations. The commissioner shall suspend for at least one year all licenses, permits and registrations issued by the department pursuant to this Part to any person convicted or adjudicated of: A. Abuse of another person's property as prohibited under section 13157‑A, subsection 22 ; [PL 2005, c. 626, §2 (NEW).] B. Operating an ATV, snowmobile or watercraft under the influence as prohibited under section 10701, subsection 1‑A, paragraph D ; [PL 2019, c. 452, §8 (AMD).] C. Operating an ATV to endanger, as prohibited under section 13157‑A, subsection 11 , operating a snowmobile to endanger, as prohibited under section 13106‑A, subsection 10 , or operating a watercraft to endanger, as prohibited under section 13068‑A, subsection 5 ; [PL 2019, c. 452, §8 (AMD).] D. Reckless operation of an ATV, as prohibited under section 13157‑A, subsection 10 , reckless operation of a snowmobile, as prohibited under section 13106‑A, subsection 9 , or reckless operation of a watercraft, as prohibited under section 13068‑A, subsection 6 ; or [PL 2019, c. 452, §8 (AMD).] E. Failure or refusal to stop an ATV or attempting to elude an officer, as prohibited under section 10651, subsection 1, paragraphs D and E , failure or refusal to stop a snowmobile or attempting to elude an officer, as prohibited under section 10651, subsection 1, paragraph E , or failure or refusal to stop a watercraft or attempting to elude an officer, as prohibited under section 10651, subsection 1, paragraph E . [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. A, §21 (COR).] The commissioner shall reinstate licenses, permits and registrations that have been suspended pursuant to this subsection after the period of suspension has lapsed and after that person has successfully completed an ethics course as required by the department and has successfully completed a safety course as required by the department that relates to the specific violation for which the person was convicted or adjudicated. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. A, §21 (COR).]

11. Reinstatement fee. A person who has had a license, permit or registration suspended or revoked pursuant to this section or Title 14, section 3142 must pay a $50 reinstatement fee, and a suspension or revocation remains in effect until the person pays the fee. The reinstatement fee must be deposited into the Landowner Relations Fund established in section 10265 . [PL 2021, c. 411, §3 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 11454 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 915 / Section 11454
12 §11454. Hunting deer with .22 caliber rimfire cartridge
Status: in_force

1. Prohibition. A person may not hunt deer with any firearms using a .17 or .22 caliber rimfire cartridge, except that the use of the .22 caliber rimfire magnum cartridge is not prohibited. [PL 2005, c. 477, §12 (AMD).]

2. Penalties. The following penalties apply to violations of subsection 1 . A. A person who violates subsection 1 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §172 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] B. A person who violates subsection 1 after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §172 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §172 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 12760 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 925 / Section 12760
12 §12760. Fishways in dams and other artificial obstructions
Status: in_force

1. Commissioners' authority. In order to conserve, develop or restore anadromous or migratory fish resources, the commissioner and the Commissioner of Marine Resources jointly may require a fishway to be erected, maintained, repaired or altered by the owners, lessors or other persons in control of any dam or other artificial obstruction within inland waters frequented by river herring, shad, salmon, sturgeon or other anadromous or migratory fish species. The commissioners may not require or authorize a fishway or fish bypass structure at a dam on the outlet of Sebec Lake in the Town of Sebec or at a dam on the Sebec River in the Town of Milo or at a dam on the outlet of Schoodic Lake in Lake View Plantation or at a dam on the outlet of Seboeis Lake in Township 4, Range 9 NWP that would allow the upstream passage of an invasive fish species known to be present downstream in the Piscataquis River or Penobscot River drainage. For the purposes of this section, “invasive fish species” means those invasive fish species identified in the action plan for managing invasive aquatic species developed pursuant to Title 38, section 1872 . [PL 2017, c. 150, §9 (AMD).]

2. Examination of dams. The commissioner and the Commissioner of Marine Resources shall periodically examine all dams and other artificial obstructions to fish passage within the inland waters in order to determine whether fishways are necessary, sufficient or suitable for the passage of anadromous or migratory fish. [PL 2011, c. 612, §1 (AMD).]

3. Monitoring program. The commissioner and the Commissioner of Marine Resources shall establish a program to ensure fishways are functioning properly and remain sufficient or suitable for the passage of anadromous or migratory fish. The commissioners have sole authority to take corrective action at fishways as prescribed under this section. [PL 2011, c. 612, §1 (AMD).]

4. Initiation of fishway proceedings. The commissioner and the Commissioner of Marine Resources shall initiate proceedings to consider construction, repair or alteration of fishways in existing dams or other artificial obstructions whenever the commissioners determine that one or more of the following conditions may exist: A. Fish passage at the dam or obstruction in issue, whether alone or in conjunction with fish passage at other upriver barriers, will improve access to sufficient and suitable habitat anywhere in the watershed to support a substantial commercial or recreational fishery for one or more species of anadromous or migratory fish; or [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. Fish passage at the dam or obstruction in issue is necessary to protect or enhance rare, threatened or endangered fish species. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] [PL 2011, c. 612, §1 (AMD).]

5. Adjudicatory proceedings. A fishway proceeding must conform to the following requirements. A. A fishway proceeding must be an adjudicatory proceeding under Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 4 , but a hearing is not required unless requested in accordance with paragraph B . Notice of the proceeding must be given in accordance with Title 5, section 9052 and the following requirements: (1) Personal notice must be given to the dam owner, lessee or other person in control of the dam or artificial obstruction, informing that person that a proceeding has been undertaken and informing that person of that person's right to request a hearing; and (2) Notice to the public, in newspapers of general circulation in the areas affected, must be given notifying the public of the initiation of the proceedings and of the public's opportunity to request a hearing. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. If any interested person requests a public hearing, the commissioner and the Commissioner of Marine Resources shall, within 30 days, either notify the petitioners in writing of the commissioners' denial, stating the reasons for the denial, or schedule a public hearing. The commissioners shall hold a public hearing whenever: (1) The commissioners are petitioned by 50 or more residents of the State; or (2) The owner, lessee or other person in control of the dam or artificial obstruction requests a hearing. [PL 2011, c. 612, §1 (AMD).] C. The commissioner and the Commissioner of Marine Resources shall accept testimony from the owner, lessee or other person in control of the dam or artificial obstruction on alternate fishway designs to those proposed by the commissioners for that dam or artificial obstruction. [PL 2011, c. 612, §1 (AMD).] [PL 2011, c. 612, §1 (AMD).]

6. Decision. In the event that the commissioner and the Commissioner of Marine Resources decide that a fishway should be constructed, repaired, altered or maintained pursuant to this section, the commissioners shall issue final orders with specific plans and descriptions of the fishway construction, alteration, repair or maintenance requirements, the conditions of the use of the fishway and the time and manner required for fishway operation. The commissioners may issue a decision requiring the owners, lessees or other persons in control of the dam or obstruction to construct, repair, alter or maintain a fishway. Such a decision must be supported by a finding based on evidence submitted to the commissioners that either of the following conditions exist: A. One or more species of anadromous or migratory fish can be restored in substantial numbers to the watershed by construction, alteration, repair or maintenance of a fishway and habitat anywhere in the watershed above the dam or obstruction is sufficient and suitable to support a substantial commercial or recreational fishery for one or more species of anadromous or migratory fish; or [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. The construction, alteration, repair or maintenance of a fishway is necessary to protect or enhance rare, threatened or endangered fish species. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] In the event that the commissioners decide that a fishway should not be constructed, the commissioners shall specify in that decision a period not to exceed 5 years subsequent to that decision during which a fishway may not be required to be constructed. [PL 2011, c. 612, §1 (AMD).]

7. Compliance. The owner, lessee or other person in control of a dam or other artificial obstruction is jointly and severally liable for the costs of fishway design, construction, repair, alteration or maintenance, and for full compliance with a decision issued pursuant to subsection 6 . A. If the owner, lessee or other person in control of a dam or other artificial obstruction refuses to comply or does not fully comply with the decision issued pursuant to subsection 6 , the commissioner and the Commissioner of Marine Resources shall initiate a civil action to enjoin the owner, lessee or person in control of the dam to comply fully with the commissioners' order or to restrain the violation of an order. In the proceeding, the court may not review the legality of the commissioners' order, except when the owner, lessee or person in control of the dam or artificial obstruction has brought a timely petition for judicial review pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 7 . [PL 2011, c. 612, §1 (AMD).] B. The court may render judgment against and order the sale of the dam or other artificial obstruction, the land on which it stands and a right-of-way to the dam or artificial obstruction, in order to secure the costs of fishway construction, repair, alteration or maintenance, the costs of the court-ordered sale and the costs incurred by the department for fishway design. The purchaser of the dam or other obstruction is subject to the decision issued pursuant to subsection 6 . [PL 2011, c. 612, §1 (AMD).] [PL 2011, c. 612, §1 (AMD).]

8. Privileged entry. The commissioner and the Commissioner of Marine Resources, the commissioners' agents or subcontractors may enter upon any private land in order to examine, at least annually, fishways in dams or other artificial obstructions and dams as provided in subsection 2 . The commissioners shall notify the landowner, lessee or other person in control of the dam when the examination will take place and the time required to complete the examination. The commissioners shall make every effort to preserve private land and shall restore surrounding lands to the grade and condition existing prior to entry, if economically feasible. [PL 2011, c. 612, §1 (AMD).]

9. Certain lakes, rivers and streams; fishways prohibited. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the owners, lessors or other persons in control of a dam on the outlet of Sebec Lake in the Town of Sebec, of Schoodic Lake in Lake View Plantation or of Seboeis Lake or a dam on the Sebec River in the Town of Milo may not construct or authorize the construction of a fishway or fish bypass structure that would allow the upstream passage of an invasive fish species known to be present downstream in the Piscataquis River or Penobscot River drainage. A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $500 or more than $1,000 may be adjudged. [PL 2011, c. 24, §2 (NEW).] B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2011, c. 24, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2011, c. 612, §1 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 10551 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 907 / Section 10551
12 §10551. Prosecution by district attorney
Status: in_force

Each district attorney shall prosecute all violations of this Part occurring within the district attorney's district when requested by the commissioner or a game warden or other law enforcement officer authorized to enforce this Part. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §61 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 8430 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 11 / Chapter 803 / Section 8430
12 §8430. Research
Status: in_force

1. Authority. The Bureau of Forestry, acting through its director, with the approval of the commissioner, may make grants of funds and enter into contracts for purposes of research related to forest management strategies, effects on wildlife and wildlife habitat, insecticide and spray application technologies, integrated pest management techniques, forest product marketing and utilization and other issues pertinent to the purposes of this subchapter. This research may be funded with any funds available, as long as the cost of environmental and health monitoring of spray projects are part of annual spray project costs and not paid out of General Fund moneys. [PL 2015, c. 314, §31 (AMD).]

2. Research on public lands. The commissioner, director or other chief executive officer of any state agency having jurisdiction over any public land may make that land over which the commissioner, director or officer has jurisdiction available on such terms and conditions as the commissioner, director or officer considers reasonable to any public or private nonprofit entity engaged in spruce budworm control research and related silvicultural control research. The director shall likewise encourage private landowners within the State to make their lands available for the same purposes. [PL 2015, c. 314, §31 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 8841 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 11 / Chapter 805 / Section 8841
12 §8841. Definitions
Status: in_force

For the purpose of this Article the following terms shall have the following meanings. [PL 1979, c. 545, §3 (NEW).]

1. Christmas tree. "Christmas tree" means any species of coniferous tree severed from the stump and cut for commercial purposes as a Christmas tree. [PL 1979, c. 545, §3 (NEW).]

2. Evergreen boughs. "Evergreen boughs" means boughs or tips of all species of coniferous trees cut for commercial purposes. [PL 1979, c. 545, §3 (NEW).]

3. [PL 1983, c. 507, §1 (RP).]
12 M.R.S. § 1816 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 2 / Chapter 220 / Section 1816
12 §1816. Grant licenses and permits
Status: in_force

Consistent with section 598-A , with the consent of the Governor and the commissioner, the bureau, by revocable license or agreement, may grant to any person, firm or corporation exclusive rights and privileges to the use and enjoyment of portions of lands acquired or managed under this subchapter. Any license or agreement granted or entered into must be canceled or revoked after due notice of intention to cancel or revoke the license or agreement by action of the bureau when the use for which that license was given has been abandoned or materially modified or whenever the conditions imposed in any license or agreement have been broken. [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).]
12 M.R.S. § 12803 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 925 / Section 12803
12 §12803. Designation of endangered species
Status: in_force

1. Standards. The commissioner shall recommend a species to be listed as endangered or threatened whenever the commissioner finds one of the following to exist: A. The present or threatened destruction, modification or curtailment of its habitat or range; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. Overutilization for commercial, sporting, scientific, educational or other purposes; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] C. Disease or predation; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] D. Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] E. Other natural or human-made factors affecting its continued existence within the State. [RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. B, §78 (COR).] [RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. B, §78 (COR).]

2. Commissioner's duties. In recommending a species to be listed as endangered or threatened, the commissioner shall: A. Make use of the best scientific, commercial and other data available; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. Consult, as appropriate, with federal agencies, other interested state agencies, other states having a common interest in the species and interested persons and organizations; [PL 2023, c. 60, §1 (AMD).] C. Maintain a list of all species that the Legislature has designated to be endangered or threatened, naming each species by both its scientific and common name, if any, and specifying over what portion of its range each species so designated is endangered or threatened; and [PL 2023, c. 60, §1 (AMD).] D. Report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over inland fisheries and wildlife matters no less frequently than every 4 years on any recommendations, status updates or changes to the list of species designated as endangered or threatened. [PL 2023, c. 60, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 60, §1 (AMD).]

3. Legislative authority. The Legislature, as sole authority, shall designate a species as a state endangered or state threatened species. The list of state endangered or state threatened species by common name, scientific name and status is as follows: A. Least tern, Sterna antillarum, endangered; [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (AMD).] B. Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, endangered; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] C. Piping plover, Charadrius melodus, endangered; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] D. Sedge wren, Cistothorus stellaris, endangered; [PL 2023, c. 60, §2 (AMD).] E. Grasshopper sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum, endangered; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] F. [PL 2023, c. 60, §3 (RP).] G. Black racer, Coluber constrictor, endangered; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] H. Roseate tern, Sterna dougallii, endangered; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] I. Northern bog lemming, Synaptomys borealis, threatened; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] J. Blanding's turtle, Emydoidea blandingii, endangered; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] K. Black tern, Chlidonias niger, endangered; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] L. American pipit, Anthus rubescens (breeding population only), endangered; [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (AMD).] M. Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus (breeding population only), endangered; [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (AMD).] N. Roaring Brook mayfly, Epeorus frisoni, threatened; [PL 2015, c. 121, §1 (AMD).] O. Ringed boghaunter, Williamsonia lintneri, threatened; [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (AMD).] P. Clayton's copper, Tharsalea dorcas claytoni, threatened; [PL 2023, c. 60, §4 (AMD).] Q. Edwards' hairstreak, Satyrium edwardsii, endangered; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] R. Hessel's hairstreak, Callophrys hesseli, endangered; [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (AMD).] S. Katahdin arctic, Oeneis polixenes katahdin, endangered; [PL 2023, c. 60, §5 (AMD).] T. Spotted turtle, Clemmys guttata, threatened; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] U. [PL 2009, c. 60, §1 (RP).] V. Razorbill, Alca torda, threatened; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] W. Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arctica, threatened; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] X. Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus, threatened; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] Y. Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea, threatened; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] Z. Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda, threatened; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] AA. Swamp darter, Etheostoma fusiforme, threatened; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] BB. Tidewater mucket, Atlanticoncha ochracea, threatened; [PL 2023, c. 60, §6 (AMD).] CC. Yellow lampmussel, Lampsilis cariosa, threatened; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] DD. Tomah mayfly, Siphlonisca aerodromia, threatened; [PL 2003, c. 573, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 573, §8 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. C, §§3, 6 (AFF).] EE. [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (RP).] FF. Twilight moth, Lycia rachelae, threatened; [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (AMD).] GG. Pine barrens zanclognatha, Zanclognatha martha, threatened; [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (AMD).] HH. Redfin pickerel, Esox americanus americanus, endangered; [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (NEW).] II. Juniper hairstreak, Callophrys gryneus, endangered; [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (NEW).] JJ. [PL 2023, c. 60, §7 (RP).] KK. New England cottontail, Sylvilagus transitionalis, endangered; [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (NEW).] LL. Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax, endangered; [PL 2015, c. 121, §3 (AMD).] MM. Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata, threatened; [PL 2017, c. 164, §23 (AMD).] NN. Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo (breeding population only), threatened; [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (NEW).] OO. Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus (breeding population only), threatened; [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (NEW).] PP. Arctic fritillary, Boloria chariclea grandis, threatened; [PL 2023, c. 60, §8 (AMD).] QQ. Sleepy duskywing, Erynnis brizo, threatened; [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (NEW).] RR. Boreal snaketail, Ophiogomphus colubrinus, threatened; [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (NEW).] SS. Brook floater, Alasmidonta varicosa, threatened; [PL 2007, c. 166, §1 (NEW).] TT. Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica, threatened; [PL 2015, c. 121, §4 (AMD).] UU. Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis, endangered; [PL 2015, c. 121, §4 (AMD).] VV. Cobblestone tiger beetle, Cicindela marginipennis, endangered; [PL 2015, c. 121, §5 (NEW).] WW. Frigga fritillary, Boloria frigga saga, endangered; [PL 2023, c. 60, §9 (AMD).] XX. Little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus, endangered; [PL 2015, c. 121, §5 (NEW).] YY. Northern long-eared bat, Myotis septentrionalis, endangered; [PL 2015, c. 121, §5 (NEW).] ZZ. Eastern small-footed bat, Myotis leibii, threatened; [PL 2023, c. 60, §10 (AMD).] AAA. Six-whorl vertigo, Vertigo morsei, endangered; [PL 2023, c. 60, §11 (AMD).] BBB. Ashton's cuckoo bumble bee, Bombus ashtoni, endangered; [PL 2023, c. 60, §12 (NEW).] CCC. Bank swallow, Riparia riparia, threatened; [PL 2023, c. 60, §13 (NEW).] DDD. Bicknell's thrush, Catharus bicknelli, threatened; [PL 2023, c. 60, §14 (NEW).] EEE. Blackpoll warbler, Setophaga striata, threatened; [PL 2023, c. 60, §15 (NEW).] FFF. Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota, threatened; [PL 2023, c. 60, §16 (NEW).] GGG. Margined tiger beetle, Ellipsoptera marginata, threatened; [PL 2023, c. 60, §17 (NEW).] HHH. Saltmarsh sparrow, Ammodramus caudacutus, endangered; and [PL 2023, c. 60, §18 (NEW).] III. Tricolored bat, Perimyotis subflavus, threatened. [PL 2023, c. 60, §19 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 60, §§2-19 (AMD).]

4. Process for recommendation; notice and hearings. Prior to recommending an addition, deletion or other change to the endangered and threatened species listed in subsection 3 , the commissioner shall provide for public notice and at least one public hearing on that proposed recommendation in accordance with the provisions of Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2 . [PL 2021, c. 65, §5 (AMD).]

5. Designation by Legislature. The Legislature may not amend the list of endangered or threatened species in subsection 3 except upon the recommendation of the commissioner. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 13051 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 935 / Section 13051
12 §13051. Commissioner's authority to regulate watercraft
Status: in_force

It is the Legislature's intent that any rule adopted under this section be in accord with federal regulations that are promulgated under the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971, Public Law 92-75, as amended. The commissioner, acting jointly with the Commissioner of Marine Resources, may adopt and amend rules under the procedure provided in the Maine Administrative Procedure Act that are not inconsistent with this chapter: [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

1. Administrative procedure. To further establish administrative procedure under this chapter; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

2. Appointment of watercraft registration agents; fees. Authorizing the commissioner to delegate the authority to issue watercraft registrations, subject to this subsection. A. The commissioner may appoint municipal clerks or other persons who a municipality may designate as municipal agents to issue watercraft registrations. The commissioner may appoint other agents as necessary to issue watercraft registrations. The commissioner shall determine the period when the agents are authorized to act. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. Agents may charge a service fee of $1 for each renewal registration issued and $2 for each registration covered by sections 13002 to 13005 . This service fee is retained by the agent. The commissioner shall charge a $1 service fee for each registration issued by department employees. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] C. An agent is delinquent if that agent fails to forward to the commissioner funds collected by that agent by the date established in rules adopted under this subsection. Failure to remit the funds as provided in this subsection results in the following sanctions, in addition to any other provided by law. (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; [PL 2015, c. 301, §43 (AMD).] [PL 2015, c. 301, §43 (AMD).]

3. Safe use and operation of watercraft. Governing the use and operation of watercraft upon the waters of the State to insure safety of persons and property; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

4. Safety equipment. Further governing safety equipment for watercraft, including the type, quality and quantity of that equipment; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

5. Horsepower. Governing the horsepower of motors used to propel watercraft on all internal waters of this State. In adopting these rules, the commissioner shall take into consideration the area of the internal waters, the use to which the internal waters are put, the depth of the water and the amount of water-borne traffic upon the waters and determine whether or not the rule is necessary to ensure the safety of persons and property. The adoption of rules under this subsection is governed by the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, except that such rules may be only adopted as a result of a petition from the municipal officers of the municipality or municipalities in which the waters exist or from 25 citizens of the municipalities in which the waters exist, by county commissioners of the county in which the waters exist if they are located in unorganized territory or 25 citizens of the unorganized territory in which the waters exist, requesting the issuance of such a rule for a particular body of internal water and stating the proposed horsepower limitation; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

6. Restrictions for airmobiles. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §356 (RP); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

7. Areas off limits to watercraft. To define areas off limits to all watercraft during time periods critical for wildlife protection. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

Rules adopted pursuant to this section must be written in a clear and easy-to-understand format for educational purposes. A summary of rules adopted under subsections 3 , 4 , 5 and 7 must be distributed with each watercraft registration form together with information on how to prevent water contamination and minimize wildlife disturbance. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §357 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 12703 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 925 / Section 12703
12 §12703. Rule violations; state game farms
Status: in_force

The following penalties apply to violations of rules regulating state game farms. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §291 (RPR); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

1. Civil violation. Notwithstanding section 10650 , a person who violates a rule regulating state game farms commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §291 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

2. Criminal violation. A person who violates a rule regulating state game farms after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §291 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 9324 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 11 / Chapter 807 / Section 9324
12 §9324. Prohibited acts
Status: in_force

1. Extinguishment of fire. Whoever by himself or by his servant, agent or guide or as the servant, agent or guide of any other person shall build a camp, cooking or other fire or use an abandoned camp, cooking or other fire in or adjacent to any woods in this State, shall, before leaving such fire, totally extinguish the same. [PL 1979, c. 545, §3 (NEW).]

2. Time and manner of kindling. A person who kindles or uses a fire on that person's own land shall do so at a suitable time and in a careful and prudent manner and is liable in a civil action to another person injured by the failure to comply with this provision. [RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. B, §68 (COR).]

3. Disposal of lighted material. No person shall dispose of a lighted match, cigarette, cigar, ashes or other flaming or glowing substance or any other substance or thing in such a condition that it is likely to ignite forest, brush, grass or other lands or dispose of any of the aforesaid objects or substances from a moving vehicle. [PL 1979, c. 545, §3 (NEW).]

4. No person shall kindle or use an out-of-door fire on land of another without permission of the owner, except at public campsites and lunch grounds maintained or authorized by the bureau, state parks and state highway picnic areas. This subsection shall not apply to the use of portable stoves which are fueled by propane gas, gasoline or sterno. [PL 1979, c. 545, §3 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §23 (REV).]

5. Permit required. No person, firm or corporation may burn out of doors without a permit from a town forest fire warden or forest ranger, except as provided in sections 9322 , 9324 and 9325 . [PL 1991, c. 36, §3 (AMD).]

6. Domestic trash. [PL 1997, c. 512, §4 (RP).]

7. Trash. [PL 2001, c. 626, §3 (RP).]

7-A. Solid waste. Except as provided in this subsection, the out-of-door burning of plastic, rubber, styrofoam, metals, food wastes, chemicals, treated wood or other solid wastes is prohibited in all areas of the State. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "lumber" means material that is entirely made of wood and is free from metal, plastics, coatings and chemical treatments and the term "wood wastes" means brush, stumps, lumber, bark, wood chips, shavings, slabs, edgings, slash, sawdust and wood from production rejects that are not mixed with other solid or liquid waste. The following materials are exempt from this subsection: A. Wood wastes; [PL 2001, c. 626, §4 (NEW).] B. Painted and unpainted wood from construction and demolition debris; [PL 2001, c. 626, §4 (NEW).] C. Empty containers, including fiberboard boxes and paper bags, previously containing explosives and being disposed of in accordance with the provisions of Title 25, section 2472 ; and [PL 2001, c. 626, §4 (NEW).] D. Explosives being disposed of under the direct supervision and control of the State Fire Marshal. [PL 2001, c. 626, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2001, c. 626, §4 (NEW).]

8. Construction and demolition debris. [PL 2001, c. 626, §5 (RP).]

9. Recreational campfires. A person who kindles or uses a recreational campfire, other than a licensed camping facility, may not allow the recreational campfire to exceed 3 feet in diameter on the ground at the base of the fire or 3 feet in height. [PL 2023, c. 56, §4 (NEW).]

10. Open burning during red flag warning. A person may not engage in open burning under section 9325, subsection 1 or 2 , including a recreational campfire, in any geographic area subject to a red flag warning. Open burning without a permit under section 9325, subsection 2 is allowed at the following locations: A. A licensed camping facility; and [PL 2023, c. 56, §5 (NEW).] B. Campsites under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry or the Baxter State Park Authority, as long as the campsite and the use of out-of-door fires and charcoal and gas grills at the campsite comply with rules under section 9001‑B, subsection 4 . [PL 2023, c. 56, §5 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 56, §5 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 8428 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 11 / Chapter 803 / Section 8428
12 §8428. Duties and authority of the Director of the Bureau of Forestry
Status: in_force

1. General. The director shall supervise and coordinate the activities of bureau personnel in connection with all management programs. [PL 1979, c. 737, §12 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §23 (REV).]

2. Rules. [PL 2015, c. 314, §23 (RP).]

3. Applications. [PL 2015, c. 314, §23 (RP).]

4. Declaration of termination of spray projects. [PL 2015, c. 314, §24 (RP).]

5. Entry on lands. The director or the director's representatives may enter any tract of land on which a spruce budworm management program is being conducted or is proposed to be conducted. [PL 2015, c. 314, §25 (AMD).]

6. Inspection of records. [PL 2015, c. 314, §26 (RP).]

7. Contractual authority. The director may enter into contracts for management programs and for other purposes related to this subchapter. [PL 2015, c. 314, §27 (AMD).]

8. Reimbursement to state agencies. [PL 2015, c. 314, §28 (RP).]

9. Cooperation. The director shall consult and cooperate with the United States Forest Service, other agencies of the United States and of any state, the dominion government of Canada, the governments of any provinces of Canada and public and private landowners in the State in developing and undertaking joint management program activities. [PL 1985, c. 664, §3 (NEW).]

10. Report. The director shall, at the end of each calendar year, undertake a review of any spruce budworm management program activities undertaken that year and shall make a full report on the activities to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over forestry management matters during the next session of the Legislature. The report must include, but is not limited to, spruce budworm survey and monitoring activities and findings, outcomes of any research or methods development activities, levels and outcomes of harvest monitoring for harvests conducted under rules adopted pursuant to this subchapter, scopes of landowner assistance activities conducted and other issues as appropriate. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Board of Pesticides Control must report information on spray activities related to spruce budworm management and outcomes annually to the bureau no later than March 1st. Reports required under this subsection must use aggregated data that do not reveal the activities of an individual person or firm. [PL 2015, c. 314, §29 (AMD).]

11. Permit applications. [PL 2015, c. 314, §30 (RP).]
12 M.R.S. § 5202 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 8 / Chapter 431 / Section 5202
12 §5202. Maine Shoreline Public Access Protection Fund
Status: in_force

1. Fund established. To accomplish the purposes of this chapter, there is established a nonlapsing Maine Shoreline Public Access Protection Fund, referred to in this chapter as the "fund." All income received by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for the purposes of this chapter shall be recorded on the books of the State in a separate account and shall be deposited with the Treasurer of State to be credited to the fund. These funds shall be made available to the commissioner for the purpose of implementing the Maine Shoreline Public Access Protection Program, established under section 5203 . [PL 1987, c. 402, Pt. A, §94 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §5 (REV).]

2. Expenditure of funds. All money credited to the fund must be used to preserve and protect public access to coastal shoreland areas in accordance with the guidelines established by the commissioner pursuant to section 5203 . As provided in section 5203 , not less than 50% of all revenue available from the fund must be disbursed to municipalities located in the coastal area, as defined in Title 38, section 1802 . No more than 10% of the revenues available in the fund may be used for the development of acquired access areas. [PL 2021, c. 676, Pt. A, §25 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 6403 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 617 / Section 6403
12 §6403. Suspension based on refusing inspection or seizure
Status: in_force

The commissioner may suspend any and all licenses issued under this Part if the license holder refuses to allow inspection or seizure under section 6306 . This suspension may not exceed one year. [PL 1977, c. 661, §5 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 6435 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 619 / Section 6435
12 §6435. Setting near weirs
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful to set any lobster trap within 300 feet of the mouth of any fish weir when the weir owner or operator is licensed under section 6501 and when the weir is licensed under Title 38, chapter 9 . [PL 1981, c. 433, §8 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 6026 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 603 / Section 6026
12 §6026. False personation
Status: in_force

Impersonation of a marine patrol officer shall be a violation of Title 17‑A, section 457 . [PL 1979, c. 541, Pt. B, §73 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 13061 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 935 / Section 13061
12 §13061. Permit to hold regatta, race, boat exhibition or water-ski exhibition
Status: in_force

1. Permit required. A person may not hold a regatta, race, boat exhibition or water-ski exhibition without a permit from the commissioner issued under subsection 2 . A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §369 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §369 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §369 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

2. Issuance. The commissioner may issue a permit to a person permitting the person to hold a regatta, race, boat exhibition or water-ski exhibition on any of the internal waters of this State. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

3. Application. The person in charge of a regatta, race, boat exhibition or water-ski exhibition shall request the permit required under subsection 1 from the commissioner at least 15 days prior to the event. The request must be in writing and must set forth the date, time and location of the event. The person in charge of a proposed motorboat race shall send a letter of intent 60 days prior to the event to municipal officers of the municipality or municipalities in which the race will occur. A copy of the letter of intent must be forwarded to the commissioner with the request for a permit to hold any motorboat race. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

4. Requirements. The following requirements apply to permits issued under this section. A. The person obtaining the permit under subsection 2 shall provide reasonable protection, as prescribed by the commissioner, from water traffic interference and hazards and shall take reasonable precautions to safeguard persons and property. [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §369 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] B. During any event authorized pursuant to subsection 1 , the officials conducting it shall conspicuously display one or more orange warning flags of a size not less than 4 feet by 4 feet while the event is in progress. The officials shall remove the warning flag or flags for reasonable periods of time during the event to allow nonparticipating watercraft to pass through the area. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §369 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

4-A. Penalty. The following penalties apply to violations of subsection 4 . A. A person who violates subsection 4 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §370 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] B. A person who violates subsection 4 after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §370 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §370 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

5. Unlawfully crossing event area. Except in an emergency, an operator of a watercraft may not cross the area of a regatta, race, boat exhibition authorized under subsection 1 or water-ski exhibition when the warning flag required under subsection 4, paragraph B is displayed. A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §371 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §371 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §371 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 6075 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 605 / Section 6075
12 §6075. Pathology program
Status: in_force

1. Purposes. The purposes of this section are to increase the availability of pathological assessment of shellfish stock to be introduced into the State for culturing purposes, of culturing facilities and areas and of shellstock to be exported to other states and countries. This shall be provided as a service to protect the state's waters and other resources, and to support the shellfish industries of the State. [PL 1983, c. 559, §1 (NEW).]

2. Responsibilities. The department shall be the state agency responsible for carrying out necessary shellfish pathology services related to the importation and exportation of shellfish. [PL 1983, c. 559, §1 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 6447 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 619 / Section 6447
12 §6447. Lobster management policy councils
Status: in_force

1. Councils. The commissioner shall establish a lobster management policy council for each zone created under section 6446 . Council members must be reimbursed pursuant to Title 5, section 12004‑I, subsection 57‑A . [PL 1995, c. 468, §8 (NEW).]

2. Rules for operation. By July 1, 1996, the commissioner shall establish by rule operating procedures for lobster management policy councils, including, but not limited to, the number of members on councils, the election and terms of council members and the process for referenda on council policies. A council must have an odd number of voting members. [PL 1995, c. 468, §8 (NEW).]

3. Council members appointment; election. Upon establishing a lobster management policy council, the commissioner shall appoint members to the council to equitably represent lobster harvesters throughout a zone. Members appointed by the commissioner serve one-year terms. An election of subsequent council members must be held within one year of the commissioner's appointments. Council members are elected by plurality vote. An individual who has been convicted or adjudicated of a lobster violation within the previous 7 years is not eligible for election as a council member unless a waiver from this limitation has been granted by the commissioner for good cause as determined by the commissioner in the commissioner's discretion. [PL 2009, c. 394, §13 (AMD).]

4. Legislative representation. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall jointly appoint a Legislator to each lobster management policy council. The Legislator is a nonvoting member and serves a 2-year term. [PL 1995, c. 468, §8 (NEW).]

5. Council authority. Upon approval in a referendum under subsection 6 , a lobster management policy council may propose to the commissioner rules for a zone to place the following limitations on lobster and crab fishing license holders that fish in that zone, as long as the proposed limitations are equal to or stricter than the limitations under section 6431‑A or 6440 : A. The number of lobster traps fished and the time periods allowed for complying with that number; [PL 1995, c. 468, §8 (NEW).] B. The number of lobster traps allowed on a trawl; and [PL 1995, c. 468, §8 (NEW).] C. The time of day when lobster fishing may occur. [PL 1995, c. 468, §8 (NEW).] [PL 2015, c. 68, §6 (AMD).]

5-A. Zone C council authority. [PL 2001, c. 282, §2 (NEW); MRSA T. 12 §6447, sub-§5-A (RP).]

5-B. Zone E council authority. [PL 2005, c. 202, §3 (RP).]

5-C. Apprentice program rules. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, upon approval in a referendum under subsection 6 , a lobster management policy council may propose to the commissioner rules for a zone that do any of the following: A. Increase the minimum length of time an apprentice must be enrolled in the apprentice program beyond the period established in section 6422, subsection 2 . The minimum enrollment period may not exceed 5 years. [PL 2005, c. 202, §4 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 202, §5 (AFF).] B. Require a sponsor of an apprentice to have held a Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license for at least 5 years; and [PL 2005, c. 202, §4 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 202, §5 (AFF).] C. Require a person to complete all requirements of the apprentice program in a specific zone in order to enter that zone as a Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license holder. A rule proposed under this paragraph and adopted under section 6446, subsection 2 may not be applied to those portions of the apprentice program requirements a person has completed prior to the effective date of the rule. [PL 2005, c. 202, §4 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 202, §5 (AFF).] A rule proposed under paragraph A or B and adopted by the commissioner under section 6446, subsection 2 does not apply to persons who are enrolled in the apprentice program on the date the rule takes effect. [PL 2005, c. 202, §4 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 202, §5 (AFF).]

5-D. Council authority; under 18 waiting list. Notwithstanding any other provision in this subchapter and upon approval in a referendum under subsection 6 , a lobster management policy council in a limited-entry zone may propose to the commissioner that the limitation described in this subsection be placed on entry by individuals into that zone in accordance with rules adopted by the department. This limitation would require that the number of individuals who are authorized to be issued a lobster and crab fishing license that identifies a limited-entry zone as the declared lobster zone without meeting the requirements of section 6448, subsection 4 , in accordance with section 6448, subsection 8, paragraph A , be limited to the number of new zone entrants who enter that zone in accordance with section 6448, subsection 7‑A . This limitation may not be applied to a person who is under 18 years of age and lives on a year-round basis on an island within the coastal waters that is not connected to the mainland by any artificial structure. The commissioner shall maintain a waiting list of individuals who have identified the limited-entry zone as their declared lobster zone in accordance with section 6448, subsection 8, paragraph A . For the purposes of this subsection, an individual on a waiting list maintained by the commissioner does not need to meet the eligibility requirements of section 6421, subsection 5‑A in order to purchase a student license. The commissioner may establish by rule procedures to implement this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2013, c. 239, §1 (AMD).]

6. Referendum on policy proposals. A lobster management policy council must submit proposed rules to referendum in the zone in which the rules would apply before submitting those proposed rules to the commissioner. A lobster management policy council may submit proposed rules to the commissioner if the proposed rules are approved by 2/3 of those voting in the referendum. [PL 1995, c. 568, §7 (AMD).]

7. Council member and voter qualifications. A person may not be a member of a zone's lobster management policy council or vote in a zone's council election or referendum unless that person: A. Possesses a Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license issued under section 6421 ; and [PL 1995, c. 468, §8 (NEW).] B. Declared at the time of obtaining a Class I, Class II or Class III license the zone in which the person fishes a majority of that person's lobster traps. A person may declare only one zone as the zone in which the person fishes a majority of that person's lobster traps. [PL 1999, c. 508, §2 (AMD).] The holder of a lobster and crab fishing license issued under section 6421 may fish for lobsters in any zone. [PL 1999, c. 508, §2 (AMD).]

8. Role of advisory council. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, the commissioner may adopt rules under this section without the advice and consent of the Marine Resources Advisory Council. [PL 1995, c. 468, §8 (NEW).]

9. Notice. When a meeting of a lobster management policy council includes as an agenda item a proposal that, if adopted, would affect the ability of a person who does not hold a lobster and crab fishing license to participate in the lobster and crab fishing industry, including but not limited to a proposal regarding exit ratios under section 6448 , the agenda must be posted publicly at least 7 days in advance of the meeting. [PL 2015, c. 428, §3 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 11404 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 915 / Section 11404
12 §11404. Muzzle-loading-only deer hunting season
Status: in_force

1. Muzzle-loading-only open season on deer. [PL 2005, c. 280, §1 (RP).]

1-A. Muzzle-loading-only open season on deer. There is a special muzzle-loading open season on deer immediately following the regular deer hunting season established under section 11401, subsection 1, paragraph A for the purpose of hunting deer only with: A. A muzzleloader as defined in section 10001, subsection 42‑A that is 40 caliber or greater and capable of firing only a single charge; [PL 2005, c. 280, §2 (NEW).] B. A muzzle-loading shotgun as defined in section 10001, subsection 42‑B ; or [PL 2005, c. 280, §2 (NEW).] C. A traditional muzzleloader as defined in section 10001, subsection 62‑A that uses projectiles that are 40 caliber or greater or that uses buckshot. [PL 2005, c. 280, §2 (NEW).] The commissioner may terminate this open season at any time in an area if, in the commissioner's opinion, an immediate emergency action is necessary due to adverse weather conditions or severe hunting pressure. The length of the special muzzle-loading season is as follows. The commissioner shall establish by rule the length of the special muzzle-loading season. The commissioner may establish seasons of different lengths in different regions of the State. The season may extend for no more than 12 hunting days in any part of the State. [PL 2005, c. 280, §2 (NEW).]

2. Applicability of laws. The following provisions apply during the muzzle-loading open season. A. The commissioner's authority to regulate the harvest of antlerless deer under section 11152 is applicable during the muzzle-loading hunting season. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. Deer tags for the muzzle-loading open season must be issued for use in the same manner as regular deer tags. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] C. Except as provided in this section, the provisions of this Part relating to deer apply to the taking of deer with muzzle-loading firearms. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 544-K — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 2 / Chapter 201-A / Section 544-K
12 §544-K. Prior written consent of owner
Status: in_force

A person must obtain the prior written permission of the owner to excavate or remove an archaeological, paleontological, prehistoric or historic feature of a cave. [PL 2001, c. 113, §1 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 6202 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 609 / Section 6202
12 §6202. Jurisdiction
Status: in_force

The District Court shall have concurrent original jurisdiction with the Superior Court in all prosecutions under the marine resources' laws. [PL 1977, c. 661, §5 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 9335 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 11 / Chapter 807 / Section 9335
12 §9335.  Removal of slash by dwelling houses
Status: in_force

The director, by written notice to any stumpage owner, operator, landowner or agent cutting forest growth, may require the removal of slash within 100 feet of buildings and trailers currently used for human occupancy when, in the director's judgment, that slash constitutes an unusual hazard endangering other property through the setting or spreading of forest fires. [RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. B, §70 (COR).]
12 M.R.S. § 6404-I — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 9 / Chapter 617 / Section 6404-I
12 §6404-I. Suspension or revocation based on conviction of untagged elver gear
Status: in_force

The commissioner shall suspend or revoke the elver fishing license of any license holder convicted of violating section 6505-B . [PL 2013, c. 49, §5 (AMD).]

1. First offense. For a first offense, the commissioner shall suspend the license holder's license for one year. [PL 2011, c. 549, §2 (NEW).]

2. Second offense. For a 2nd offense, the commissioner shall permanently revoke the license holder's license. [PL 2011, c. 549, §2 (NEW).]
12 M.R.S. § 12860 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 927 / Section 12860
12 §12860. Youth camp trip leader permit
Status: in_force

1. When permit required. Youth camps licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services under Title 22, section 2495 , or located in another state and licensed in a similar manner, if the laws of the other state so require, conducting trip camping shall: A. Provide at least one staff member over 18 years of age for each 6 campers; and [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. Ensure that the staff member in charge of the trip holds a valid youth camp trip leader permit. [PL 2009, c. 211, Pt. B, §12 (AMD).] [PL 2009, c. 211, Pt. B, §12 (AMD).]

1-A. Prohibition. A person may not conduct trip camping under subsection 1 without a youth camp trip leader permit issued under this section. Each day a person violates this subsection, that person commits a Class E crime for which a minimum fine of $50 and an amount equal to twice the applicable license fee must be imposed. [PL 2009, c. 211, Pt. B, §12 (AMD).]

2. Application. A person wishing a youth camp trip leader permit must submit an application on forms provided by the commissioner and pay the application fee. [PL 2009, c. 211, Pt. B, §12 (AMD).]

3. Qualifications. To qualify initially for a youth camp trip leader permit, an applicant must: A. Show successful completion of an approved youth camp trip leader safety course or complete an application provided by the commissioner outlining in detail the applicant's experience and training as a youth camp trip leader; and [PL 2009, c. 211, Pt. B, §12 (AMD).] B. Meet any other requirements established by rule by the commissioner. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] [PL 2009, c. 211, Pt. B, §12 (AMD).]

4. Special waiver. Waiver of the course requirement by the commissioner on the basis of the applicant's experience and payment of the application fee qualifies the applicant for a youth camp trip leader permit. [PL 2009, c. 211, Pt. B, §12 (AMD).]

5. Curriculum. The commissioner shall review and adopt a youth camp trip leader safety course curriculum that includes, but is not limited to: A. Training in first aid; [PL 2009, c. 652, Pt. A, §16 (RPR).] B. Training in water safety, including lifesaving techniques as appropriate; and [PL 2009, c. 652, Pt. A, §16 (RPR).] C. Youth camp trip leader qualifications and required experience for the special waiver procedure in subsection 4 . [PL 2009, c. 652, Pt. A, §16 (RPR).] The commissioner shall publish the curriculum and a current list of courses, with the approved curriculum, by name and address. [PL 2009, c. 652, Pt. A, §16 (RPR).]

6. Fee. The initial qualifying fee for a youth camp trip leader permit is $20. The permit may be renewed upon payment of $15 if requirements of the department are met. [PL 2009, c. 211, Pt. B, §12 (AMD).]

7. Enforcement. Wardens of the department, the rangers of the Bureau of Forestry and rangers of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands may enforce this section and may terminate any trip that is considered unsafe or in violation of this section. The commissioner shall adopt standards for what is considered an unsafe trip. The commissioner shall consider previous violations of this section when issuing or reissuing youth camp trip leader permits. [PL 2009, c. 211, Pt. B, §12 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §§5, 7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §§23, 24 (REV).]
12 M.R.S. § 12904 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 929 / Section 12904
12 §12904. Exceptions
Status: in_force

This chapter does not apply to the operation of canoes or kayaks. This chapter does not apply to guides, youth camp trip leaders or educational trip leaders licensed under chapter 927 or motorboat operators licensed under chapter 935 , unless those persons are in the business of conducting commercial whitewater trips. [PL 2021, c. 162, §10 (AMD).]
12 M.R.S. § 685-F — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 2 / Chapter 206-A / Section 685-F
12 §685-F. Extraordinary projects
Status: in_force

1. Designation as extraordinary project. The director of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission, referred to in this section as "the director," may designate a proposed project requiring review and approval under this chapter as an extraordinary project when the director determines that, because of the project's size, uniqueness or complexity, review of the project application is likely to: A. Significantly impair the capacity of the commission's staff and cooperating state agencies to review other applications in a timely manner; or [PL 2005, c. 107, §2 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 107, §4 (AFF).] B. Require the commission to incur costs that exceed the funding provided in accordance with section 685-G . [PL 2007, c. 541, Pt. B, §3 (AMD); PL 2007, c. 541, Pt. B, §6 (AFF).] A project is considered to significantly impair the capacity of the commission's staff if review of that project is likely to occupy the equivalent of at least one person working full-time on that project for a minimum of 4 months. Designation as an extraordinary project must be made at or prior to the time the application is accepted as complete. The director shall notify the applicant in writing upon making the designation. [PL 2011, c. 682, §23 (AMD).]

2. Processing fee. The processing fee for a project designated as extraordinary is the sum of the actual costs associated with review of that project application. These costs include, but are not limited to, costs of personnel, supplies, administration, travel, specialized computer software, services needed for review of that project, including review provided by other state agencies, and contracting for legal and consulting services. The director shall provide the applicant with an estimate of the processing fee for a project with a breakdown of anticipated costs. The applicant must pay 1/2 of the estimated processing fee prior to the beginning of the project review. The applicant must be billed quarterly for the remainder of the fee. The director shall deposit all processing fees in a dedicated account from which expenses attributable to the application review are paid. The commission shall withhold a decision on the project until the entire processing fee is paid. The director shall return all unspent funds to the applicant within 120 days of the commission's decision on the application. [PL 2007, c. 661, Pt. C, §5 (AMD).]

3. Accounting system. The director shall require that all staff involved in any aspect of an application review for a project designated as an extraordinary project keep accurate and regular daily time records. These records must describe the matters worked on, services performed and amount of time devoted to those matters and services as well as amounts of money expended in performing those functions. The director shall keep records of all expenses incurred in reviewing a project, including staff time records, billing statements for contracted services and billing statements from other state agencies for the actual cost of review. [PL 2009, c. 642, Pt. A, §1 (AMD).]

4. Review by commission. In accordance with section 685-B, subsection 1-B , an applicant has the right to review by the commission of a decision to designate a project as an extraordinary project or of a processing fee established under subsection 2 . [PL 2005, c. 107, §2 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 107, §4 (AFF).]
12 M.R.S. § 1822 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 2 / Chapter 220 / Section 1822
12 §1822. Cooperate with federal agencies
Status: in_force

The bureau may cooperate with federal agencies in the planning, development, maintenance and use of recreation areas. [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).]
12 M.R.S. § 11552 — ME Code / Title 12 / Part 13 / Chapter 915 / Section 11552
12 §11552. Moose hunting areas
Status: in_force

1. Areas open to moose hunting. The commissioner may designate by rule areas of the State open to moose hunting. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

2. Moose management. To effectively manage the moose herd in the State, the commissioner may by rule establish: A. The number of moose permits to be issued every year, including a percentage for antlerless moose; [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] B. The length of the moose hunting season; and [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] C. The timing of the moose hunting season. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

Rules adopted under this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2023, c. 228, §9 (AMD).]