An Act To Designate a Youth Bear Hunting Day
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0399
Committee Amendment CA_A_H99 (House)
Amends: 12 MRSA §11251

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,A" to H.P. 265, L.D. 399, Bill, "An Act To 
Designate a Youth Bear Hunting Day" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Establish a Youth Bear Hunting Day' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
inserting the following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the long-term health of Maine's hunting tradition is dependent on the 
recruitment of young hunters, the number of which has been on the decline; and 
Whereas, providing positive hunting opportunities for young hunters is essential to 
ensuring their long-term participation in the sport; and 
Whereas, allowing youth to hunt bear on a day before other bear hunters are in the 
field will provide a positive hunting experience; and 
Whereas, as August 31, 2015 is the opening day for hunting bear with a firearm, 
this Act must take effect before that date to establish a youth bear hunting day this year; 
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 §11251, sub-§2 is enacted to read: 
2. Youth bear hunting day. There is a youth hunting day for hunting bear without a 
dog or dogs on the Saturday prior to the opening day of the bear hunting season 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 'A "to H.P. 265, L.D. 399 
established under subsection 1, paragraph A. A person who holds a valid junior hunting 
license may hunt bear with a firearm, bow and arrow or crossbow during youth. bear 
hunting day. An adult supervisor, parent or guardian accompanying a youth on youth 
bear hunting day may not possess a firearm, bow and arrow or crossbow while the youth 
is participating in the bear hunt. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. r 
SUMMARY 
This amendment adds an emergency preamble and emergency clause. It replaces the 
bill. It establishes a youth bear hunting day on the Saturday prior to the opening of the 
regular bear hunting season. 
FISCAL "SOTE REQUIRED 
·lSee attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04121/15 
~ac: 
LD399 
LR 1225(02) 
An Act To Designate a Youth Bear Hunting Day 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment if (t-+..q<1 J 
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
No net correctional or judicial impact. 
Any reduction in violations for youth hunting may be offset by increased adult violations from accompanying youth 
on youth bear hunting day. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Any additional costs to the Department ofInland Fisheries and Wildlife to establish a youth hunting day for hunting 
bear are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LRI225(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1