Resolve, To Ensure Transparency in Funding Certain Programs within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0244
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Sponsors: TRAHAN, WATSON, BRYANT, DIAMOND, JACKSON, CLARK, DAVIS, HANLEY, SA VIELLO, WHEELER

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE 
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124th MAINE LEGISLATU 
Legislative Document 
No. 244 
S.P.85 
January 27,2009 
Resolve, To Ensure Transparency in Funding Certain Programs 
within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered 
printed. 
Presented by Senator TRAHAN of Lincoln. 
Cosponsored by Representative WATSON of Bath and 
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JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Senators: BRYANT of Oxford, DIAMOND of Cumberland, JACKSON of Aroostook, 
Representatives: CLARK of Millinocket, DAVIS of Sangerville, HANLEY of Gardiner, 
SA VIELLO of Wilton, WHEELER of Kittery. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
be~ome effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the current economic downturn threatens to undermine the ability of the 
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to continue programs vital to the 
conservation of the State's natural resources; and 
Whereas, the immediate restructuring of some programs within the Department of 
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is necessary to safeguard its core functions; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
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therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to create a new 
division within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Resolved: 
That the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall identify programs and 
functions within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that are not directly 
related to an activity for which the department issues a license, permit or registration and 
develop a plan to create a new division within the depal1ment to house those programs 
and functions. The commissioner shall develop draft legislation needed to implement the 
plan and include as part of that plan language to require the Governor to fund the new 
division with General Fund revenues not subject to the Constitution of Maine, Article IX, 
Section 22. The draft legislation must provide that, if the Governor submits a budget that 
does not fully fund the new division, the Governor must identify specific reductions 
within that division to offset the reduction in funding; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Report to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and 
Wildlife. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall 
report the plan and draft legislation under section I to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife no later than 20 days from the effective date of this resolve. 
The Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife may submit legislation to 
the 124th Legislature to implement the plan developed pursuant to this resolve. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
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legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to identify 
programs and functions within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that are 
not directly related to an activity that requires a license, permit or registration issued by 
the department and to develop a plan to create a new division within the department to 
house those programs and functions. It also provides that the commissioner shall develop 
draft legislation to implement the plan and to specify that funding for the new division 
must come from General Fund revenues not subject to the Constitution of Maine, Article 
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IX, Section 22. The plan and draft legislation must be submitted to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife no later than 20 days from the effective date 
of this resolve.