An Act To Strengthen the Relationship between Land Users and Landowners
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1613
Committee Amendment CA_A_H793 (House)
Amends: 12 MRSA §10108, 12 MRSA §10157, 12 MRSA §10265, 12 MRSA §10903, 29-A MRSA §456-C

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to H.P. 1222, L.D. 1613, Bill, "An Act To 
Strengthen the Relationship between Land Users and Landowners" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10108, sub-§3, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and 
amended by c. 655, Pt. B, §28 and affected by §422, is repealed. 
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §10108, sub-§4, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and 
amended by c. 655, Pt. B, §29 and affected by §422, is repealed. 
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §10108, sub-§4-A is enacted to read: 
4-A. 
Landowner relations pro{!ram. 
The commissioner shall develop and 
implement a landowner relations program, referred to in this section as "the program." 
A. The program must: 
(1) 
Encourage landowners to allow outdoor recreationists access to their 
property to hunt, fish or engage in other outdoor recreational pursuits; 
(2) Foster good relationships between landowners and outdoor recreationists; 
and 
(3) Promote high standards of courtesy, respect and responsibility by outdoor 
recreationists in their relations with landowners. 
B. The commissioner shall appoint a landowner relations coordinator to oversee the 
program and any other landowner relations activities of the department. 
C. To the extent resources allow, the program must include the following elements: 
(1) 
Building and maintaining an educated and motivated group of outdoor 
recreationists who meet and promote high standards of courtesy, respect and 
responsibility in their relations with landowners and who are willing to volunteer 
in program-related projects or efforts to improve landowner relations; 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" An to H.P. 1222, L.D. 1613 
(2) 
Issuing a certificate to persons wishing to support or participate in the 
program. The commissioner may establish a fee for the certificate, which may not 
exceed $20. All proceeds from the fees must be deposited in the Landowner 
Relations Fund established in section 10265; 
(3) Developing and disseminating to outdoor recreationists a code of ethics or 
other information promoting high standards of courtesy, 
respect and 
responsibility in their relations with landowners; 
(4) Developing an outreach program that provides educational materials and 
signs and that disseminates information to landowners and land users about 
landowner rights, landowner liability protections, the tradition of allowing 
outdoor recreationists to use private land and law enforcement resources 
available to landowners; 
(5) 
Engaging organizations and companies 
representing 
landowners, 
conservation groups, recreationists, land trusts and other organizations involved 
in outdoor recreation in developing, implementing and publicizing the program; 
(6) Organizing or otherwise promoting landowner appreciation events; 
(7) 
Working with representatives of various state agencies to promote and 
broaden public access to private lands for recreational use and to enhance 
enforcement of applicable laws; and 
(8) Seeking and developing sources of funding to support the program. 
Sec.4. 12 MRSA §10157, sub-§I, ~A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §36 
and affected by §422, is amended to read: 
A. +flree Four ex officio members: 
(1) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee; 
(2) 
The Commissioner of Environmental Protection or the commissioner's 
designee; aHd 
(3) The Commissioner of Conservation or the commissioner's designee; and 
(4) 
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources or the 
commissioner's designee; 
Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §10265 is enacted to read: 
§10265. Landowner Relations Fund 
The Landowner Relations 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 or assist in funding the landowner relations program established pursuant to section 
10108, subsection 4-A. All funds from fees collected under section 10108, subsection 
4-A. paragraph C must be deposited in the fund. 
The fund receives any other funds 
appropriated or allocated to the fund. The commissioner may accept and deposit into the 
fund monetary gifts, donations or other contributions from public or private sources for 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
:{:J' 
A't$ 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A "to H.P. 1222, L.D. 1613 
the purposes specified in this section. The fund must be held separate and apart from all 
other money, funds and accounts. 
Sec. 6. 12 MRSA §10903, last ~, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and 
affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read: 
Outdoor ethics courses must be scheduled by the Bureau of Warden Service and must 
be given whenever there are 10 or more persons needing or wanting to take the course. 
The fee for an outdoor ethics course is $100, payable 10 working days prior to the start of 
the course. 
All fees collected under this section are allocated to the Sport Hunter 
Program landowner relations program established in section 10108, subsection 4;-
paragraph B 4-A. 
Sec. 7. 29-A MRSA §456-C, sub-§3, ~A, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 703, §6, is 
amended to read: 
A. Eighteen dollars credited as follows: 
(I) Fifty percent to the fish hatchery maintenance fund established in Title 12, 
section 10252; 
(2) Fifteen percent to the Boat Launch Facilities Fund established in Title 12, 
section 10261; 
(3) Ten percent to the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund 
established in Title 12, section 10253; and 
(4) Twenty-five percent to the Support Landowners Program landowner relations 
program in Title 12, section 10108, subsection 4, paragraph A 4-A; 
Sec. 8. Landowners and Sportsmen Relations Advisory Board. Pursuant to 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 10157, subsection 7, paragraph E, the 
Landowners and Sportsmen Relations Advisory Board shall review its membership and, 
if necessary, recommend changes in the advisory board's representational membership to 
the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The commissioner shall report to the 
joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over inland fisheries and 
wildlife matters by January 15, 2013 on any recommended changes in the advisory 
board's membership. The committee may submit a bill regarding the advisory board to 
the First Regular Session of the 126th Legislature. 
Sec. 9. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE, DEPARTMENT OF 
Landowner Relations Fund N129 
Initiative: Establishes the Landowner Relations Fund and transfers allocation from the 
Sport Hunter Program and Support Landowners Program, which are both repealed in this 
legislation. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A 
"to H.P. 1222, L.D. 1613 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
Personal Services 
All Other 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL 
Sport Hunter Program 0827 
2011-12 
$0 
$0 
$0 
2012-13 
$3,799 
$62,262 
$66,061 
Initiative: Eliminates the Sport Hunter Program and transfers allocation to the Landowner 
Relations Fund. 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
Personal Services 
All Other 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL 
Support Landowners Program 0826 
2011-12 
$0 
$0 
$0 
2012-13 
($2,848) 
($10,905) 
($13,753) 
Initiative: Eliminates the Support Landowners Program and transfers allocation to the 
Landowner Relations Fund. 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
Personal Services 
All Other 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL 
INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE, 
DEPARTMENT OF 
DEPARTMENT TOTALS 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
DEPARTMENTTOTAL-ALLFUNDS 
SUMMARY 
2011-12 
$0 
$0 
$0 
2011-12 
$0 
$0 
2012-13 
($951) 
($51,357) 
($52,308) 
2012-13 
$0 
$0 
This amendment replaces the concept draft. 
This amendment repeals the laws 
governing the supersport certificate and the landowner relations program in the 
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and replaces them with a new provision 
directing the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to establish a broader and 
more inclusive landowner relations program. 
The amendment authorizes the 
commissioner to establish and issue for a fee a certificate to persons wishing to be 
recognized as supporting the program. 
The amendment establishes the Landowner 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A 
"to H.P. 1222, L.D. 16\3 
Relations Fund to receive all fees from the sale of certificates as well as any other funds 
allocated or appropriated to the fund and any contributions from public or private sources. 
This amendment also adds the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources 
to the ex officio members of the Landowners and Sportsmen Relations Advisory Board. 
The amendment adds an appropriations and allocations section. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 03/08/12 Mac.. 
LD 1613 
LR2422(02) 
An Act To Strengthen the Relationship between Land Users and Landowners 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "~,, (11-793) 
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
FY 2011-12 
FY 2012-13 
Proj ections 
FY 2013-14 
Projections 
FY2014-15 
Appropriationsl Allocations 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
Revenue 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
$0 
$0 
$0 
$0 
$0 
$3,750 
$3,750 
$3,750 
This legislation establishes the Landowner Relations Fund within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and 
repeals the Sport Hunter and Support Landowners Programs within the department. The bill includes a combined 
Other Special Revenue Funds deallocation to the two repealed programs of$66,061 beginning in fiscal year 2012-13 
and a corresponding Other Special Revenue Funds allocation of $66,061 to the new Fund beginning in fiscal year 
2012-13. This deallocation and allocation is based upon the [mal approved allocations through the 125th Legislature, 
1st Special Session. 
The legislation also repeals the super sport certificate and creates the landowner relations certificate, resulting in a net 
increase in Other Special Revenue Funds revenue to the department of $3,750 beginning in fiscal year 2012-13. This 
analysis is based upon average actual sales during the last 5 years and assumes that sales of the new landowner 
relations certificate will increase by 15% over the repealed super sport certificate based upon increased efforts in this 
area as outlined in the legislation. 
LR2422(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1