An Act to Expand Protections to Maine's Loons from Lead Poisoning by Prohibiting the Sale and Use of Certain Painted Lead Jigs
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0958
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Sponsors: HEPLER, INGWERSEN, DILL, DOUDERA, FAY, LANDRY, MASON, ROEDER, BLACK
Amends: 12 MRSA §12663-B, 12 MRSA §12664

Legislative Document
No. 958
H.P. 605
House of Representatives, March 2, 2023
An Act to Expand Protections to Maine's Loons from Lead 
Poisoning by Prohibiting the Sale and Use of Certain Painted Lead 
Jigs
Reference to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative HEPLER of Woolwich.
Cosponsored by Senator INGWERSEN of York and
Representatives: DILL of Old Town, DOUDERA of Camden, FAY of Raymond, LANDRY of 
Farmington, MASON of Lisbon, ROEDER of Bangor, Senator: BLACK of Franklin.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  12 MRSA §12663-B, as enacted by PL 2013, c. 372, §2, is amended to read:
§12663-B.  Unlawful sale of lead sinkers and, bare lead jigs and painted lead jigs
1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings.
A.  "Bare lead jig" means an unpainted lead jig that contains lead and that:
(1)  Weighs one ounce or less; or
(2)  Measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length.
B.  "Lead sinker" means a device that contains lead that is designed to be attached to a 
fishing line and intended to sink the line and that:
(1)  Weighs one ounce or less; or
(2)  Measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length.
"Lead sinker" does not include artificial lures, weighted line, weighted flies or jig 
heads.
C.  "Painted lead jig" means a painted lead jig that contains lead and that:
(1)  Weighs one ounce or less; or
(2)  Measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length.
2.  Sale of lead sinker or, bare lead jig or painted lead jig.  This subsection governs 
the sale of lead sinkers and, bare lead jigs and painted lead jigs.
A.  A person may not:
(1)  Sell a lead sinker; or
(2)  Beginning September 1, 2016, sell a bare lead jig.; or
(3)  Beginning September 1, 2024, sell a painted lead jig.
B.  A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of 
not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
C.  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.
3.  Offer lead sinker or, bare lead jig or painted lead jig for sale.  This subsection 
governs offering lead sinkers and, bare lead jigs and painted lead jigs for sale.
A.  A person may not:
(1)  Offer for sale a lead sinker; or
(2)  Beginning September 1, 2016, offer for sale a bare lead jig.; or
(3)  Beginning September 1, 2024, offer for sale a painted lead jig.
B.  A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of 
not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
C.  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.
Sec. 2.  12 MRSA §12664, as enacted by PL 2013, c. 372, §3, is amended to read:
§12664.  Unlawful use of lead sinkers and, bare lead jigs and painted lead jigs
1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings.
A.  "Bare lead jig" means an unpainted lead jig that contains lead and that:
(1)  Weighs one ounce or less; or
(2)  Measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length.
B.  "Lead sinker" means a device that contains lead that is designed to be attached to a 
fishing line and intended to sink the line and that:
(1)  Weighs one ounce or less; or
(2)  Measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length.
"Lead sinker" does not include artificial lures, weighted line, weighted flies or jig 
heads.
C.  "Painted lead jig" means a painted lead jig that contains lead and that:
(1)  Weighs one ounce or less; or
(2)  Measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length.
2.  Unlawful use.  This subsection governs the use of lead sinkers and, bare lead jigs 
and painted lead jigs.
A.  A person may not:
(1)  Use a lead sinker; or
(2)  Beginning September 1, 2017, use a bare lead jig.; or
(3)  Beginning September 1, 2026, use a painted lead jig.
B.  A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of 
not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
C.  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.
SUMMARY
This bill makes it illegal to sell or offer for sale painted lead jigs weighing one ounce 
or less or measuring 2 1/2 inches or less in length beginning September 1, 2024 and illegal 
to use them beginning September 1, 2026.