An Act Related to Airboats and Airboat Noise Limits
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 2272
Amends: 12 MRSA §13068-A

Legislative Document
No. 2272
H.P. 1461
House of Representatives, March 20, 2024
An Act Related to Airboats and Airboat Noise Limits
(EMERGENCY)
Reported by Representative LANDRY of Farmington for the Joint Standing Committee on 
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife pursuant to Public Law 2021, chapter 585, section 2.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
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 Legislature enacted legislation in 2023 to extend the repeal date of the 
provisions of law establishing airboat noise limits but this legislation did not take effect 
before the provisions were repealed; and
Whereas, the stakeholder group on airboat noise issues convened pursuant to Public 
Law 2021, chapter 166 and extended by Public Law 2021, chapter 585 and Public Law 
2023, chapter 209 has recommended that the decibel level limits for airboats be 
reestablished immediately; 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 §13068-A, sub-§10, ¶A, as amended by PL 2021, c. 166, §1, is 
further amended by amending the first blocked paragraph to read:
As used in this paragraph, "motorboat" does not include an "airboat," which has the 
same meaning as defined in paragraph A‑2 subsection 10-A.
Sec. 2.  12 MRSA §13068-A, sub-§10-A is enacted to read:
10-A.  Operating airboat that exceeds noise limits.  The following provisions govern 
airboat noise limits.
A.  A person may not operate an airboat:
(1)  If the noise level of the airboat exceeds 90 decibels as measured in a stationary 
sound level test as prescribed by SAE standards J-2005;
(2)  Between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. in such a manner as to exceed a noise 
level of 75 decibels on the "A" scale as measured by the SAE standards J-1970, 
referred to in this paragraph as "the shoreline test," except to the extent necessary 
to achieve headway speed when leaving a boat launch or to move the airboat from 
a stationary position on a tidal flat; or
(3)  After 7 a.m. and before 7 p.m. in such a manner as to exceed a noise level of 
decibels as measured by the shoreline test, except to the extent necessary to 
achieve headway speed when leaving a boat launch or to move the airboat from a 
stationary position on a tidal flat. 
B.  This subsection does not apply to the operation of an airboat by a marine patrol 
officer appointed under section 6025, subsection 1, a game warden or a municipal law 
enforcement officer. 
C.  The following penalties apply to violations of this subsection. 
(1)  A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a 
fine of not less than $300 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
(2)  A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having 
committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year 
period commits a Class E crime.
For purposes of this subsection, "airboat" means a flat-bottomed watercraft propelled by 
an aircraft-type propeller and powered by either an aircraft engine or an automotive engine 
and "SAE standards" means technical standards adopted by the Society of Automotive 
Engineers.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill is reported out by the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and 
Wildlife pursuant to Public Law 2021, chapter 585.  The bill provides that a person may 
not operate an airboat:
1.  If the noise level of the airboat exceeds 90 decibels;
2.  Between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. if the noise level of the airboat exceeds 75 decibels, 
except to the extent necessary to achieve headway speed when leaving a boat launch or to 
move the airboat from a stationary position on a tidal flat; or
3.  Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. if the noise level of the airboat exceeds 90 decibels, 
except to the extent necessary to achieve headway speed when leaving a boat launch or to 
move the airboat from a stationary position on a tidal flat.
The bill also defines "airboat" and outlines penalties for violating these provisions and 
provides exceptions for certain law enforcement officers.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
Approved: 03/08/24
LD  2272     
LR 3128(01)
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Any additional costs to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife from the provisions of this bill are expected to 
be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.
An Act Related to Airboats and Airboat Noise Limits
Fiscal Note for Original Bill
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Minor cost increase - General Fund
LR3128(01) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1