Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Simplify Maine's Fishing Rules
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0187
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Sponsors: DUNPHY, DAVIS, ALLEY, COREY, DUCHESNE, NADEAU, WARREN, WOOD, CYRWAY

Legislative Document
No. 187
H.P. 143
House of Representatives, January 24, 2017
Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Simplify Maine's Fishing 
Rules
Reference to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative DUNPHY of Old Town.
Cosponsored by Senator DAVIS of Piscataquis and
Representatives: ALLEY of Beals, COREY of Windham, DUCHESNE of Hudson, NADEAU 
of Winslow, WARREN of Hallowell, WOOD of Greene, Senator: CYRWAY of Kennebec.
Sec. 1.  Commission established.  Resolved:  That the Commission To Simplify 
Maine's Fishing Rules, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and 
be it further 
Sec. 2.  Commission membership.  Resolved:  That the commission consists of 
the following 10 members: 
1.  Two members of the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 
one member appointed by the President of the Senate and one member appointed by the 
Speaker of the House; 
2.  Two licensed anglers, one member appointed by the President of the Senate and 
one member appointed by the Speaker of the House; 
3.  The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife or the commissioner's 
designee; 
4.  The director of the fisheries division within the Department of Inland Fisheries 
and Wildlife; 
5.  One member of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council, appointed by 
the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; 
6. One member representing a fish and game club, appointed by the Commissioner of 
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; 
7.  One member of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine, nominated by the executive 
director of that organization and appointed by the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and 
Wildlife; and 
8.  One member of the Maine Professional Guides Association, nominated by the 
executive director of that organization and appointed by the Commissioner of Inland 
Fisheries and Wildlife; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Appointments; meetings.  Resolved:  That all appointments must be 
made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve.  The appointing 
authorities must notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council upon making 
their appointments.  When the appointment of all members is complete, the chair of the 
Legislative Council shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission no later 
than October 16, 2017.  The commission shall select a chair from among its legislative 
members; and be it further 
Sec. 4.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the commission shall study, assess and evaluate 
fishing laws and rules in the State to determine ways in which these laws and rules may 
be simplified.  In carrying out this study, the commission shall develop recommendations 
designed to simplify the fishing laws and rules; and be it further 
Sec. 5.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the commission shall request staffing 
assistance from the Legislative Council; and be it further 
Sec. 6.  Reimbursement.  Resolved:  That the members of the commission are 
entitled to reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses upon application to the 
Legislative Council.  The Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall administer 
the commission's budget; and be it further 
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That the commission shall submit a report, together 
with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland 
Fisheries and Wildlife no later than January 16, 2018. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve creates the Commission To Simplify Maine's Fishing Rules.  The 
commission is required to submit its report and any accompanying legislation to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife by January 16, 2018.