An Act To Simplify and Encourage the Sale of Hunting and Fishing Licenses and Permits
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0229
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Sponsors: SHAW, DUTREMBLE, DAVIS, GILBERT, HARVELL, SANDERSON, SAUCIER, BURNS, PLUMMER
Amends: 12 MRSA §10851, 12 MRSA §11152

Legislative Document 
No. 229 
H.P. 190 
House of Representatives, February 5, 2013 
An Act To Simplify and Encourage the Sale of Hunting and Fishing 
Licenses and Permits 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered 
printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative SHAW of Standish. 
Cosponsored by Senator DUTREMBLE of York and 
Representatives: DAVIS of Sangerville, GILBERT of Jay, HARVELL of Farmington, 
McCABE of Skowhegan, SANDERSON of Chelsea, SAUCIER of Presque Isle, Senators: 
BURNS of Washington, PLUMMER of Cumberland. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, it is important to update the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's 
online system for persons to purchase licenses and registrations as soon as possible to 
increase its efficiency and usability; 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, 
therefore, 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  12 MRSA §10851, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2011, c. 253, §12 and c. 
268, §1, is further amended to read: 
1.  Infants, youth, adults and seniors.  The following lifetime licenses may be 
purchased: 
A.  For a person who is less than 6 years of age: 
(1)  An infant lifetime fishing license.  The fee for an infant lifetime fishing 
license is $150 for a resident and $450 for a nonresident, except that, from 
December 1, 2011 until March 1, 2015, the fee for a nonresident is $200; 
(2) An infant lifetime hunting license.  The fee for an infant lifetime hunting 
license is $150 for a resident and $450 for a nonresident, except that, from 
December 1, 2011 until March 1, 2015, the fee for a nonresident is $200; 
(3)  An infant lifetime archery hunting license.  The fee for an infant lifetime 
archery hunting license is $150 for a resident and $450 for a nonresident, except 
that, from December 1, 2011 until March 1, 2015, the fee for a nonresident is 
$200; 
(3-A)  An infant lifetime trapping license.  The fee for an infant lifetime trapping 
license is $150 for a resident and $450 for a nonresident, except that, from 
December 1, 2011 until March 1, 2015, the fee for a nonresident is $200; 
(4) An infant combination of any 2 lifetime licenses.  The fee for an infant 
combination of any 2 lifetime licenses is $250 for a resident and $750 for a 
nonresident, except that, from December 1, 2011 until March 1, 2015, the fee for 
a nonresident is $425; and 
(5)  An infant combination of any 3 lifetime licenses.  The fee for an infant 
combination of any 3 lifetime licenses is $400 for a resident and $1,200 for a 
nonresident, except that, from December 1, 2011 until March 1, 2015, the fee for 
a nonresident is $660; 
B.  For a person from 6 to 15 64 years of age: 
(1)  A junior lifetime fishing license.  The fee for a junior lifetime fishing license 
is $300 for a resident and $900 for a nonresident; 
(2)  A junior lifetime hunting license.  The fee for a junior lifetime hunting 
license is $300 for a resident and $900 for a nonresident; 
(3)  A junior lifetime archery hunting license.  The fee for a junior lifetime 
archery hunting license is $300 for a resident and $900 for a nonresident; 
(3-A)  A junior lifetime trapping license.  The fee for a junior lifetime trapping 
license is $300 for a resident and $900 for a nonresident; 
(4)  A junior combination of any 2 lifetime licenses.  The fee for a junior 
combination of any 2 lifetime licenses is $500 for a resident and $1,500 for a 
nonresident; and 
(5)  A junior combination of any 3 lifetime licenses.  The fee for a junior 
combination of any 3 lifetime licenses is $800 for a resident and $2,400 for a 
nonresident; 
C.  For a resident from 65 to 69 years of age: 
(1)  A senior resident lifetime fishing license.  The fee for a senior resident 
lifetime fishing license is $50 for a person who purchases the license in the year 
in which that person turns 65 years of age, $40 for a person who purchases the 
license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, $30 for a person 
who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 67 years of age, 
$20 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 
years of age and $10 for a person who purchases the license in the year in 
which that person turns 69 years of age; 
(2)  A senior resident lifetime hunting license.  The fee for a senior resident 
lifetime hunting license is $50 for a person who purchases the license in the year 
in which that person turns 65 years of age, $40 for a person who purchases the 
license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, $30 for a person 
who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 67 years of age, 
$20 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 
years of age and $10 for a person who purchases the license in the year in 
which that person turns 69 years of age; 
(3)  A senior resident lifetime archery hunting license.  The fee for a senior 
resident lifetime archery hunting license is $50 for a person who purchases the 
license in the year in which that person turns 65 years of age, $40 for a person 
who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, 
$30 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 
years of age, $20 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which 
that person turns 68 years of age and $10 for a person who purchases the license 
in the year in which that person turns 69 years of age; 
(3-A)  A senior resident lifetime trapping license. The fee for a senior resident 
lifetime trapping license is $50 for a person who purchases the license in the year 
in which that person turns 65 years of age, $40 for a person who purchases the 
license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, $30 for a person 
who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 67 years of age, 
$20 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 
years of age and $10 for a person who purchases the license in the year in 
which that person turns 69 years of age; 
(4)  A senior resident combination of any 2 lifetime licenses.  The fee for a senior 
resident combination of any 2 lifetime licenses is $80 for a person who purchases 
the license in the year in which that person turns 65 years of age, $64 for a person 
who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, 
$48 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 
years of age, $32 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which 
that person turns 68 years of age and $16 for a person who purchases the license 
in the year in which that person turns 69 years of age; and 
(5)  A senior resident combination of any 3 lifetime licenses.  The fee for a senior 
resident combination of any 3 lifetime licenses is $110 for a person who 
purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 65 years of age, $94 
for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 66 
years of age, $78 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that 
person turns 67 years of age, $52 for a person who purchases the license in the 
year in which that person turns 68 years of age and $26 for a person who 
purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 69 years of age; and 
D.  For a resident 70 years of age or older.  For a person who holds a valid senior 
lifetime license under this section at any time during the calendar year that person 
turns 70 years of age, that lifetime license includes all hunting permits and licenses 
authorized in this Part and may renew at no cost a guide license under section 12853.  
A person who is 70 years of age or older may purchase a senior lifetime license that 
entitles the holder to all the privileges described in this paragraph for a one-time $8 
fee. 
Sec. 2.  12 MRSA §11152, sub-§5, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and 
amended by c. 655, Pt. B, §122 and affected by §422, is further amended to read: 
5.  Hunter permit transfers.  A junior hunter or a person 65 years of age or older 
may take an antlerless deer if a person who holds a valid antlerless deer permit transfers 
the permit to the junior hunter or that person 65 years of age or older by identifying the 
name, age and address of the transferee on the permit as well as any other information 
reasonably requested by the commissioner and then returns the permit to the department 
prior to the start of the firearm season on deer.  The commissioner shall record the 
transfer and return the permit to the junior hunter or person 65 years of age or older 
transferee.  A valid permit must be in the possession of the transferee in order for the 
transferee to take an antlerless deer. 
Sec. 3.  12 MRSA §11152, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §123 
and affected by §422, is repealed. 
Sec. 4.  Task force to reduce the number of licenses, permits and 
registrations.  The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall convene a task 
force composed of persons representing individuals and organizations that purchase 
licenses, permits and registrations issued by the department for the purpose of creating a 
plan to reduce the number of types of licenses, permits and registrations administered by 
the department.  The department shall submit a report including the plan it develops 
under this section to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife by 
December 1, 2013, together with draft legislation necessary to implement the plan.  The 
committee may report out a bill related to the subject matter of the report to the Second 
Regular Session of the 126th Legislature. 
Sec. 5.  Updating of the Maine Online Sportsman's Electronic System.  
The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall develop a plan for updating its 
online system for persons to purchase licenses and registrations, known as the Maine 
Online Sportsman's Electronic System.  The department shall submit its plan, together 
with a proposed budget for implementing the plan, to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife by April 1, 2013.  The committee may report out a bill 
related to the subject matter of the report to the First Regular Session of the 126th 
Legislature.  
Sec. 6.  Improving the laws governing inland fisheries and wildlife.  The 
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall develop a plan to simplify and 
streamline: 
1.  Complimentary licenses.  The eligibility requirements for and issuance of 
complimentary licenses; 
2.  Revocation of licenses.  The laws governing license revocations; and 
3.  Hunting licenses.  The laws governing hunting, including age restrictions, 
equipment restrictions and supervision requirements.  The plan must extend the 
supervisory requirements for apprentice hunters to junior hunters and make supervisory 
requirements for hunting consistent with those that apply to trapping. 
The department shall submit a report including the plan it develops under this section 
to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife by December 1, 2013, 
together with draft legislation necessary to implement the plan.  The committee may 
report out a bill related to the subject matter of the report to the Second Regular Session 
of the 126th Legislature. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill: 
1.  Extends the lifetime license system for hunting and fishing licenses to all 
individuals regardless of age; 
2.  Allows antlerless deer permits to be transferred to any other hunter, regardless of 
age; 
3.  Requires the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to convene a task force 
composed of persons representing individuals and organizations that purchase licenses, 
permits and registrations issued by the department for the purpose of creating a plan to 
reduce the number of types of licenses, permits and registrations administered by the 
department.  The department must submit the plan to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife by December 1, 2013, together with draft legislation 
necessary to implement the recommendations.  The committee is authorized to report out 
a bill related to the subject matter of the report to the Second Regular Session of the 
126th Legislature; 
4.  Requires the department to develop a plan for updating its online system for 
persons to purchase licenses and registrations, known as the Maine Online Sportsman's 
Electronic System.  The department must submit its plan, together with a proposed 
budget for implementing the plan, to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries 
and Wildlife by April 1, 2013.  The committee may report out a bill related to the subject 
matter of the report to the First Regular Session of the 126th Legislature; and 
5.  Requires the department to develop a plan to simplify and streamline the 
eligibility requirements for and issuance of complimentary licenses, the laws governing 
license revocations and the laws governing hunting, including age restrictions, equipment 
restrictions and supervision requirements.  The plan must extend the supervisory 
requirements for apprentice hunters to junior hunters and make supervisory requirements 
for hunting consistent with those that apply to trapping.  The department is required to 
submit the plan to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife by 
December 1, 2013, together with draft legislation necessary to implement the 
recommendations.  The committee may report out a bill related to the subject matter of 
the report to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.