Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0011
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Sponsors: WOOD, WARD, JACKSON, DUNPHY, FARRIN, GROHMAN, HARVELL, MARTIN, O'CONNOR, PIERCE, SIMMONS

Legislative Document
No. 11
H.P. 12
House of Representatives, January 5, 2017
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Establish the Right To Hunt and Fish
Reference to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative WOOD of Greene.
Cosponsored by Representative WARD of Dedham, Senator JACKSON of Aroostook and
Representatives: DUNPHY of Old Town, FARRIN of Norridgewock, GROHMAN of 
Biddeford, HARVELL of Farmington, MARTIN of Sinclair, O'CONNOR of Berwick, 
PIERCE of Dresden, SIMMONS of Waldoboro.
Constitutional amendment. Resolved: Two thirds of each branch of the 
Legislature concurring, that the following amendment to the Constitution of Maine be 
proposed: 
Constitution, Art. IX, §26 is enacted to read: 
Section 26.  Right to hunt, fish and harvest game and fish.  The right of the 
people of this State to hunt, fish and harvest game and fish, including by the use of 
traditional methods, may not be infringed, subject to reasonable laws enacted by the 
Legislature and reasonable rules adopted by the state agency designated for fish and 
wildlife management to promote wildlife conservation and management, to maintain 
natural resources in trust for public use and to preserve the future of hunting and fishing.  
Public hunting and fishing are a preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife.  
This section may not be construed to modify any provision of law relating to eminent 
domain, trespass or property rights. 
; and be it further 
Constitutional referendum procedure; form of question; effective date. 
Resolved:  That the municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their 
respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for 
holding a statewide election, at a statewide election held in the month of November 
following the passage of this resolution, to vote upon the ratification of the amendment 
proposed in this resolution by voting upon the following question: 
"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to provide that the 
right of the people of this State to hunt, fish and harvest game and fish 
may not be infringed, subject to reasonable laws and rules, and to provide 
that public hunting and fishing are a preferred means of managing and 
controlling wildlife?" 
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question 
and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within the corresponding 
square below the word "Yes" or "No."  The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and 
declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of 
State in the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature.  The Governor shall 
review the returns.  If it appears that a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of the 
amendment, the Governor shall proclaim that fact without delay and the amendment 
becomes part of the Constitution of Maine on the date of the proclamation; and be it 
further 
Secretary of State shall prepare ballots. Resolved: That the Secretary of State 
shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies 
of this resolution necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum. 
SUMMARY 
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to provide that the right 
of the people of this State to hunt, fish and harvest game and fish, including by the use of 
traditional methods, may not be infringed, subject to reasonable laws and rules to 
promote wildlife conservation and management, to maintain natural resources in trust for 
public use and to preserve the future of hunting and fishing.  It also provides that public 
hunting and fishing are a preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife.