An Act to Enact the Remaining Recommendations of the Task Force
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0785
Sponsors: TALBOT ROSS, FAULKINGHAM, DAUGHTRY, FECTEAU
Amends: 12 MRSA §685-C, 12 MRSA §6302-A, 30 MRSA §6201, 30 MRSA §6202, 30 MRSA §6203, 30 MRSA §6204, 30 MRSA §6205, 30 MRSA §6205-A, 30 MRSA §6205-B, 30 MRSA §6206, 30 MRSA §6206-A, 30 MRSA §6206-B, 30 MRSA §6207, 30 MRSA §6207-C, 30 MRSA §6207-D, 30 MRSA §6207-E, 30 MRSA §6208-A, 30 MRSA §6209-A, 30 MRSA §6209-B, 30 MRSA §6209-C, 30 MRSA §6210, 30 MRSA §6211, 30 MRSA §6213, 30 MRSA §6214, 30 MRSA §6215, 30 MRSA §6216, 36 MRSA §111

Legislative Document
No. 785
S.P. 344
In Senate, March 4, 2025
An Act to Enact the Remaining Recommendations of the Task Force 
on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing 
Act
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on February 26, 2025.  Referred to the Committee 
on Judiciary pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator TALBOT ROSS of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative FAULKINGHAM of Winter Harbor and
Senators: BENNETT of Oxford, CARNEY of Cumberland, President DAUGHTRY of 
Cumberland, MOORE of Washington, Representatives: BABIN of Fort Fairfield, Speaker 
FECTEAU of Biddeford, KUHN of Falmouth, LEE of Auburn.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  12 MRSA §685-C, sub-§10, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 739, §1, is amended 
by repealing the 2nd blocked paragraph.
Sec. 2.  12 MRSA §6302-A, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2023, c. 646, Pt. A, §13, is 
further amended by amending the first blocked paragraph to read:
For purposes of this subsection, "sustenance use" means all noncommercial consumption 
or noncommercial use by any person within Passamaquoddy Indian territory, as defined in 
Title 30, section 6205, subsection 1, Penobscot Indian territory, as defined in Title 30, 
section 6205, subsection 2, Mi'kmaq Nation Trust Land, as defined in Title 30, section 
7203, subsection 6, or Houlton Band Trust Land, as defined in Title 30, section 6203, 
subsection 2‑A 2-B, or at any location within the State by a tribal member, by a tribal 
member's immediate family or within a tribal member's household.  The term "sustenance 
use" does not include the sale of marine organisms.
Sec. 3.  30 MRSA §6201, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is 
amended to read:
This Act shall may be known and may be cited as "AN ACT to Implement the Maine 
Indian Claims Settlement" or "the Maine Implementing Act."
Sec. 4.  30 MRSA §6202, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is amended to 
read:
§6202.  Legislative findings and declaration of policy
The Legislature finds and declares the following.
The Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet 
Indians are asserting asserted claims for possession of large areas of land in the State and 
for damages alleging that the lands in question originally were transferred by treaty or 
otherwise taken in violation of the Indian Trade and Intercourse Act of 1790, 1 Stat. 137, 
or subsequent reenactments or versions thereof.
Substantial  At the time, the prospect that these claims would not be promptly resolved 
threatened to create substantial economic and social hardship could be created for large 
numbers of landowners, citizens and communities in the State, and therefore to the State as 
a whole, if these claims are not resolved promptly.
The claims also have produced disagreement between the Indian claimants and the 
State over the extent of the state's State's jurisdiction in the claimed areas. This 
disagreement has resulted in litigation and, if the claims are had not been resolved, further 
litigation on jurisdictional issues would be have been likely.
The  In the late 1970s, the Indian claimants and the State, acting through the Attorney 
General, have reached certain agreements which represent that represented a good faith 
effort on the part of all parties to achieve a fair and just resolution of those claims which 
that, in the absence of agreement, would be have been pursued through the courts for many 
years to the ultimate detriment of the State and all its citizens, including the Indians.  The 
resolution reached among the Indian claimants and the State affirmed the land transfers and 
the reservations of rights embodied within the specific treaties that gave rise to the claims 
at issue and sought to definitively eliminate any prospect that the claims brought by the 
Indian claimants would cloud private title to land in the State.
The foregoing agreement between the Indian claimants and the State also represents a 
good faith effort by the Indian claimants and the State to achieve a just and fair resolution 
of their disagreement over jurisdiction on the present Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Indian 
reservations and in the claimed areas. To that end, the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the 
Penobscot Nation have agreed to adopt the laws of the State as their own to the extent 
provided in this Act. The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and its lands will be wholly 
subject to the laws of the State.
It is the purpose of this Act to implement in part the foregoing agreement.
1.  Rights, privileges, powers, duties and immunities.  The purpose of the 
amendments to this Act enacted in 2025 is to establish that the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the 
Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians enjoy rights, privileges, 
powers, duties and immunities similar to those of other federally recognized Indian tribes 
within the United States.
2.  Federal Indian law applies.  Except as otherwise specified in this Act, the State, 
the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians 
agree and intend pursuant to United States Public Law 96-420 to recognize and adopt the 
application of federal Indian law with regard to the rights, privileges, powers, duties and 
immunities of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of 
Maliseet Indians and their tribal members and land or other natural resources, including 
laws, regulations and common law of the United States enacted for the benefit of Indians, 
Indian nations or tribes or bands of Indians and laws, regulations and common law that 
accord a special status or right to or that relate to a special status or right of any Indian, 
Indian nation, tribe or band of Indians, Indian lands, Indian reservations, Indian country, 
Indian territory, trust land or other natural resources held in trust for Indians.
Sec. 5.  30 MRSA §6203, as amended by PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. D, §§1 and 2 and 
affected by §8, is further amended to read:
§6203.  Definitions
As used in this Act, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have 
the following meanings.
1.  Commission.  "Commission" means the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission 
created by section 6212.
1-A.  Houlton Band Jurisdiction Land.  "Houlton Band Jurisdiction Land" means:
A.  All Houlton Band Trust Land that exists as of the effective date of this subsection; 
and
B.  All Houlton Band Trust Land acquired after the effective date of this subjection 
that is both within Aroostook County and within 50 miles of land described in 
paragraph A.
1-B.  Federal Indian law.  "Federal Indian law" means the United States Constitution 
and all generally applicable federal statutes, regulations and common law and case law 
interpreting, implementing, applying or enforcing those laws and regulations, and 
subsequent amendments thereto, relating to the rights, status, privileges, powers, duties and 
immunities of federally recognized Indian tribes and their members and land or other 
natural resources within the United States.
2.  Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.  "Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians" means 
the Maliseet Tribe of Indians as constituted on March 4, 1789, and all its predecessors and 
successors in interest, which that, as of the date of passage of this Act April 3, 1980, are 
represented, as to lands within the United States, by the Houlton Band Council of the 
Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.
2-A.  Houlton Band Trust Land.  "Houlton Band Trust Land" has the same meaning 
as "Houlton Band trust land" in Section 2(2) of the federal Houlton Band of Maliseet 
Indians Supplementary Claims Settlement Act of 1986, Public Law 99-566.
2-B.  Houlton Band Trust Land.  "Houlton Band Trust Land" means all land or 
natural resources acquired by the secretary in trust for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians 
pursuant to the federal Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Supplementary Claims Settlement 
Act of 1986, Public Law 99-566 or pursuant to any other applicable federal Indian law, 
including but not limited to the federal Indian Reorganization Act, Public Law 73-383 and 
its implementing regulations as described in section 6205-B, subsection 2.
2-C.  Indian territory or trust land.  "Indian territory or trust land" means:
A.  With respect to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Passamaquoddy Indian territory;
B.  With respect to the Penobscot Nation, the Penobscot Indian territory; and
C.  With respect to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Houlton Band Trust Land.
3.  Land or other natural resources.  "Land or other natural resources" means any 
real property or other natural resources, or any interest in or right involving any real 
property or other natural resources, including, but without limitation, minerals and mineral 
rights, timber and timber rights, water and water rights and hunting and fishing rights.
4.  Laws of the State.  "Laws of the State" means the Constitution of Maine and all 
statutes, and rules or regulations and the common law of the State and its political 
subdivisions, and subsequent amendments thereto or judicial interpretations thereof.
4-A.  Nontribal citizen or nonmember.  "Nontribal citizen" or "nonmember" means 
a person or entity that is not a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation 
or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and is not a tribal entity.
5.  Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation.  "Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation" 
means those lands reserved to the Passamaquoddy Tribe by agreement with the State 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts dated September 19, 1794, excepting any parcel within 
such lands transferred to a person or entity other than a member of the Passamaquoddy 
Tribe subsequent to such agreement and prior to the effective date of this Act. If any lands 
reserved to the Passamaquoddy Tribe by the aforesaid agreement hereafter are acquired by 
the Passamaquoddy Tribe, or the secretary on its behalf, that land shall must be included 
within the Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation. For purposes of this subsection, the lands 
reserved to the Passamaquoddy Tribe by the aforesaid agreement shall be are limited to 
Indian Township in Washington County; Pine Island, sometimes referred to as Taylor's 
Island, located in Big Lake, in Washington County; 100 acres of land located on Nemcass 
Point, sometimes referred to as Governor's Point, located in Washington County and shown 
on a survey of John Gardner which that is filed in the Maine State Archives, Executive 
Council Records, Report Number 264 and dated June 5, 1855; 100 acres of land located at 
Pleasant Point in Washington County as described in a deed to Captain John Frost from 
Theodore Lincoln, Attorney for Benjamin Lincoln, Thomas Russell, and John Lowell dated 
July 14, 1792, and recorded in the Washington County Registry of Deeds on April 27, 
1801, at Book 3, Page 73; and those 15 islands in the St. Croix River in existence on 
September 19, 1794 and located between the head of the tide of that river and the falls 
below the forks of that river, both of which points are shown on a 1794 plan of Samuel 
Titcomb which that is filed in the Maine State Archives in Maine Land Office Plan Book 
Number 1, page 33.  The "Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation" includes those lands which 
that have been or may be acquired by the Passamaquoddy Tribe within that portion of the 
Town of Perry which that lies south of Route 1 on the east side of Route 190 and south of 
lands now owned or formerly owned by William Follis on the west side of Route 190, 
provided that no such lands may be included in the Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation 
until the Secretary of State receives certification from the treasurer of the Town of Perry 
that the Passamaquoddy Tribe has paid to the Town of Perry the amount of $350,000, 
provided that the consent of the Town of Perry would be voided unless the payment of the 
$350,000 is made within 120 days of the effective date of this section.  Any commercial 
development of those lands must be by approval of the voters of the Town of Perry with 
the exception of land development currently in the building stages.
6.  Passamaquoddy Indian territory.  "Passamaquoddy Indian territory" means that 
territory defined by section 6205, subsection 1.
7.  Passamaquoddy Tribe.  "Passamaquoddy Tribe" means the Passamaquoddy Indian 
Tribe as constituted on March 4, 1789, and all its predecessors and successors in interest, 
which that, as of the date of passage of this Act April 3, 1980, are represented by the Joint 
Tribal Council of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, with separate councils at the Indian Township 
and Pleasant Point Reservations.
8.  Penobscot Indian Reservation.  "Penobscot Indian Reservation" means the islands 
in the Penobscot River reserved to the Penobscot Nation by agreement with the States 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Maine consisting solely of Indian Island, 
also known as Old Town Island, and all islands in that river northward thereof that existed 
on June 29, 1818, excepting any island transferred to a person or entity other than a member 
of the Penobscot Nation subsequent to June 29, 1818, and prior to the effective date of this 
Act.  If any land within Nicatow Island is hereafter acquired by the Penobscot Nation, or 
the secretary on its behalf, that land must be included within the Penobscot Indian 
Reservation.
The "Penobscot Indian Reservation" includes the following parcels of land that have been 
or may be acquired by the Penobscot Nation from Bangor Pacific Hydro Associates as 
compensation for flowage of reservation lands by the West Enfield dam:  A parcel located 
on the Mattagamon Gate Road and on the East Branch of the Penobscot River in T.6 R.8 
WELS W.E.L.S., which is a portion of the "Mattagamon Lake Dam Lot" and has an area 
of approximately 24.3 acres, and Smith Island in the Penobscot River, which has an area 
of approximately one acre.
The "Penobscot Indian Reservation" also includes a certain parcel of land located in Argyle, 
Penobscot County consisting of approximately 714 acres known as the Argyle East Parcel 
and more particularly described as Parcel One in a deed from the Penobscot Indian Nation 
to the United States of America dated November 22, 2005 and recorded at the Penobscot 
County Registry of Deeds in Book 10267, Page 265.
9.  Penobscot Indian territory.  "Penobscot Indian territory" means that territory 
defined by section 6205, subsection 2.
10.  Penobscot Nation.  "Penobscot Nation" means the Penobscot Indian Nation as 
constituted on March 4, 1789, and all its predecessors and successors in interest, which 
that, as of the date of passage of this Act April 3, 1980, are represented by the Penobscot 
Reservation Tribal Council.
11.  Secretary.  "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior of the United States.
12.  Settlement Fund.  "Settlement Fund" means the trust fund established for the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe and Penobscot Nation by the United States pursuant to congressional 
legislation extinquishing extinguishing aboriginal land claims in Maine.
13.  Transfer.  "Transfer" includes, but is not necessarily limited to, any voluntary or 
involuntary sale, grant, lease, allotment, partition or other conveyance; any transaction the 
purpose of which was to effect a sale, grant, lease, allotment, partition or other conveyance; 
and any act, event or circumstance that resulted in a change in title to, possession of, 
dominion over, or control of land or other natural resources.
14.  Tribal entity.  "Tribal entity" has the same meaning as in Title 36, section 111, 
subsection 8.
Sec. 6.  30 MRSA §6204, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is repealed.
Sec. 7.  30 MRSA §6205, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2021, c. 650, §§2 to 4 and 
affected by §13, is further amended to read:
1.  Passamaquoddy Indian territory.  Subject to subsections 3, 4 and 5, the The 
following lands within the State are known as the "Passamaquoddy Indian territory:"
A.  The Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation;
B.  The first 150,000 acres of land acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe from the following areas or lands to the extent that those lands 
are not held in common with any other person or entity and are certified by the secretary 
as held for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe:
The lands of Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation located in T.1, R.8, W.B.K.P. 
(Lowelltown), T.6, R.1, N.B.K.P. (Holeb), T.2, R.10, W.E.L.S. and T.2, R.9, W.E.L.S.; 
the land of Raymidga Company located in T.1, R.5, W.B.K.P. (Jim Pond), T.4, R.5, 
B.K.P.W.K.R. (King and Bartlett), T.5, R.6, B.K.P.W.K.R. and T.3, R.5, 
B.K.P.W.K.R.; the land of the heirs of David Pingree located in T.6, R.8, W.E.L.S.; 
any portion of Sugar Island in Moosehead Lake; the lands of Prentiss and Carlisle 
Company located in T.9, S.D.; any portion of T.24, M.D.B.P.P.; the lands of Bertram 
C. Tackeff or Northeastern Blueberry Company, Inc. in T.19, M.D.B.P.P.; any portion 
of T.2, R.8, N.W.P.; any portion of T.2, R.5, W.B.K.P. (Alder Stream); the lands of 
Dead River Company in T.3, R.9, N.W.P., T.2, R.9, N.W.P., T.5, R.1, N.B.P.P. and 
T.5, N.D.B.P.P.; any portion of T.3, R.1, N.B.P.P.; any portion of T.3, N.D.; any 
portion of T.4, N.D.; any portion of T.39, M.D.; any portion of T.40, M.D.; any portion 
of T.41, M.D.; any portion of T.42, M.D.B.P.P.; the lands of Diamond International 
Corporation, International Paper Company and Lincoln Pulp and Paper Company 
located in Argyle; and the lands of the Dyer Interests in T.A.R.7 W.E.L.S., T.3 R.9 
N.W.P., T.3 R.3. N.B.K.P. (Alder Brook Township), T.3 R.4 N.B.K.P. (Hammond 
Township), T.2 R.4 N.B.K.P. (Pittston Academy Grant), T.2 R.3 N.B.K.P. 
(Soldiertown Township), and T.4 R.4 N.B.K.P. (Prentiss Township), and any lands in 
Albany Township acquired by the Passamaquoddy Tribe;
B-1.  A total of 150,000 acres of land acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe within Aroostook County, Franklin County, Hancock County, 
Penobscot County, Piscataquis County, Somerset County or Washington County that 
meets the following requirements:
(1)  The secretary acquired the land for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe 
under this paragraph:
(a)  On or before the effective date of this subparagraph;
(b)  After the effective date of this subparagraph and the land is not located 
within a city, town, village or plantation; or
(c)  Except as provided in paragraph G and subject to the provisions of 
subparagraph (2), after the effective date of this subparagraph and the land is 
located within a city, town, village or plantation;
(2)  Before the secretary acquires land for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe 
under subparagraph (1), division (c), the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the relevant 
city, town, village or plantation must have entered into an agreement:
(a)  Under which the Passamaquoddy Tribe is required:
(i)  To make an annual payment in lieu of taxes on the land that equals the 
amount of taxes levied on that land by the relevant taxing authority for the 
benefit of the relevant city, town, village or plantation immediately prior 
to the date on which the Passamaquoddy Tribe acquired the land; or
(ii)  To comply with an alternative to payment in lieu of taxes under 
subdivision (i) that is mutually agreeable to the Passamaquoddy Tribe and 
the relevant city, town, village or plantation within whose borders the land 
is located or that is established by an arbitration panel under this paragraph;
(b)  Governing cooperation for mutual aid regarding which government will 
be responsible for local law enforcement over the land; and
(c)  Regarding the use by the Passamaquoddy Tribe of the land in a manner 
that is:
(i)  Not contrary to the local zoning ordinances in place prior to the date 
on which the Passamaquoddy Tribe acquires the land or is consistent with 
existing uses of land occurring within the city, town, village or plantation; 
or
(ii)  Agreed to between the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the relevant city, 
town, village or plantation within whose borders the land is located or 
established by an arbitration panel under this paragraph; and
(3)  If any of the agreements required by subparagraph (2) are not in place within 
days from the date the Passamaquoddy Tribe provides written notice to the city, 
town, village or plantation of the need to develop agreements to meet the 
requirements of subparagraph (2), either party may submit any dispute, claim, 
question or disagreement regarding the requirements of subparagraph (2) to 
binding arbitration, which must be governed by the rules of the American 
Arbitration Association or its successor organization unless other rules are agreed 
to by both parties. The parties shall submit their last best offer regarding the matter 
to the arbitration panel, and the panel shall decide which last best offer on the 
matter best meets the applicable requirements of subparagraph (2);
C.  Any land not exceeding 100 acres in the City of Calais acquired by the secretary 
for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe as long as the land is not held in common 
with any other person or entity and is certified by the secretary as held for the benefit 
of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, if:;
(1)  The acquisition of the land by the tribe is approved by the legislative body of 
that city; and
(2)  A tribal-state compact under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act is 
agreed to by the State and the Passamaquoddy Tribe or the State is ordered by a 
court to negotiate such a compact;
D.  All land acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe in T. 
19, M.D. to the extent that the land is not held in common with any other person or 
entity and is certified by the secretary as held for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy 
Tribe;
D-1.  Land acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe in 
Centerville consisting of Parcels A, B and C conveyed by Bertram C. Tackeff to the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe by quitclaim deed dated July 27, 1981, recorded in the 
Washington County Registry of Deeds in Book 1147, Page 251, to the extent that the 
land is not held in common with any other person or entity and is certified by the 
secretary as held for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe;
D-2.  Land acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe in 
Centerville conveyed by Bertram C. Tackeff to the Passamaquoddy Tribe by quitclaim 
deed dated May 4, 1982, recorded in the Washington County Registry of Deeds in 
Book 1178, Page 35, to the extent that the land is not held in common with any other 
person or entity and is certified by the secretary as held for the benefit of the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe;
E.  Land acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe in 
Township 21 consisting of Gordon Island in Big Lake, conveyed by Domtar Maine 
Corporation to the Passamaquoddy Tribe by corporate quitclaim deed dated April 30, 
2002, recorded in the Washington County Registry of Deeds in Book 2624, Page 301, 
to the extent that the land is not held in common with any other person or entity and is 
certified by the secretary as held for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe; and
F.  Land acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe in Perry 
consisting of:
(1)  Land conveyed by Denise E. Plouffe to the Passamaquoddy Tribe by quitclaim 
deed dated October 5, 2017, recorded in the Washington County Registry of Deeds 
in Book 4403, Pages 18 and 19; and
(2)  Land conveyed by Austin Humphries to the Passamaquoddy Tribe by deed 
dated November 18, 1983, recorded in the Washington County Registry of Deeds 
in Book 1252, Pages 93 to 95.
Notwithstanding subsection 5 and any other provision of this Act to the contrary, the 
addition of land to the Passamaquoddy Indian territory pursuant to this paragraph is not 
subject to approval by any city, town, village or plantation within the State.;
G.  Lands owned in fee simple by the Passamaquoddy Tribe on the effective date of 
this paragraph that the secretary acquires for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, 
as long as the lands are within the geographic area and acreage restrictions set forth in 
paragraph B-1. Notwithstanding any provision of this Act to the contrary, the addition 
of lands owned in fee simple by the Passamaquoddy Tribe to the Passamaquoddy 
Indian territory pursuant to this paragraph is not subject to approval by any city, town, 
village or plantation within the State; and
H.  Lands acquired in trust by the secretary for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe 
pursuant to any applicable federal Indian law, including but not limited to the federal 
Indian Reorganization Act, Public Law 73-383, and its implementing regulations as 
described in subsection 6.
Sec. 8.  30 MRSA §6205, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2021, c. 139, §2 and affected 
by §3, is further amended to read:
2.  Penobscot Indian territory.  Subject to subsections 3, 4 and 5, the The following 
lands within the State shall be are known as the "Penobscot Indian territory:"
A.  The Penobscot Indian Reservation; and
B.  The first 150,000 acres of land acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the 
Penobscot Nation from the following areas or lands to the extent that those lands are 
not held in common with any other person or entity and are certified by the secretary 
as held for the Penobscot Nation:
The lands of Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation located in T.1, R.8, W.B.K.P. 
(Lowelltown), T.6, R.1, N.B.K.P. (Holeb), T.2, R.10, W.E.L.S. and T.2, R.9, W.E.L.S.; 
the land of Raymidga Company located in T.1, R.5, W.B.K.P. (Jim Pond), T.4, R.5, 
B.K.P.W.K.R. (King and Bartlett), T.5, R.6, B.K.P.W.K.R. and T.3, R.5, 
B.K.P.W.K.R.; the land of the heirs of David Pingree located in T.6, R.8, W.E.L.S.; 
any portion of Sugar Island in Moosehead Lake; the lands of Prentiss and Carlisle 
Company located in T.9, S.D.; any portion of T.24, M.D.B.P.P.; the lands of Bertram 
C. Tackeff or Northeastern Blueberry Company, Inc. in T.19, M.D.B.P.P.; any portion 
of T.2, R.8, N.W.P.; any portion of T.2, R.5, W.B.K.P. (Alder Stream); the lands of 
Dead River Company in T.3, R.9, N.W.P., T.2, R.9, N.W.P., T.5, R.1, N.B.P.P. and 
T.5, N.D.B.P.P.; any portion of T.3, R.1, N.B.P.P.; any portion of T.3, N.D.; any 
portion of T.4, N.D.; any portion of T.39, M.D.; any portion of T.40, M.D.; any portion 
of T.41, M.D.; any portion of T.42, M.D.B.P.P.; the lands of Diamond International 
Corporation, International Paper Company and Lincoln Pulp and Paper Company 
located in Argyle; any land acquired in Williamsburg T.6, R.8, N.W.P.; any 300 acres 
in Old Town mutually agreed upon by the City of Old Town and the Penobscot Nation 
Tribal Government; any lands in Lakeville acquired by the Penobscot Nation; and all 
the property acquired by the Penobscot Indian Nation from Herbert C. Haynes, Jr., 
Herbert C. Haynes, Inc. and Five Islands Land Corporation located in Township 1, 
Range 6 W.E.L.S.
B-1.  A total of 150,000 acres of land acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the 
Penobscot Nation within Aroostook County, Franklin County, Hancock County, 
Penobscot County, Piscataquis County or Somerset County that meets the following 
requirements:
(1)  The secretary acquired the land for the benefit of the Penobscot Nation under 
this paragraph:
(a)  On or before the effective date of this subparagraph;
(b)  After the effective date of this subparagraph and the land is not located 
within a city, town, village or plantation; or
(c)  Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (2), after the effective date of 
this subparagraph and the land is located within a city, town, village or 
plantation;
(2)  Before the secretary acquires land for the benefit of the Penobscot Nation under 
subparagraph (1), division (c), the Penobscot Nation and the relevant city, town, 
village or plantation must have entered into an agreement:
(a)  Under which the Penobscot Nation is required:
(i)  To make an annual payment in lieu of taxes on the land that equals the 
amount of taxes levied on that land by the relevant taxing authority for the 
benefit of the relevant city, town, village or plantation immediately prior 
to the date on which the Penobscot Nation acquires the land; or
(ii)  To comply with an alternative to payment in lieu of taxes under 
subdivision (i) that is mutually agreeable to the Penobscot Nation and the 
relevant city, town, village or plantation within whose borders the land is 
located or that is established by an arbitration panel under this paragraph;
(b)  Governing cooperation for mutual aid regarding which government will 
be responsible for local law enforcement over the land; and
(c)  Regarding the use by the Penobscot Nation of the land in a manner that is:
(i)  Not contrary to the local zoning ordinances in place prior to the date 
on which the Penobscot Nation acquires the land or is consistent with 
existing uses of land occurring within the city, town, village or plantation; 
or
(ii)  Agreed to between the Penobscot Nation and the relevant city, town, 
village or plantation within whose borders the land is located or established 
by an arbitration panel under this paragraph; and
(3)  If any of the agreements required by subparagraph (2) are not in place within 
days from the date the Penobscot Nation provides written notice to the city, 
town, village or plantation of the need to develop agreements to meet the 
requirements of subparagraph (2), either party may submit any dispute, claim, 
question or disagreement regarding the requirements of subparagraph (2) to 
binding arbitration, which must be governed by the rules of the American 
Arbitration Association or its successor organization unless other rules are agreed 
to by both parties. The parties shall submit their last best offer regarding the matter 
to the arbitration panel, and the panel shall decide which last best offer on the 
matter best meets the applicable requirements of subparagraph (2); and
C.  Lands acquired in trust by the secretary for the benefit of the Penobscot Nation 
pursuant to any applicable federal Indian law, including but not limited to the federal 
Indian Reorganization Act, Public Law 73-383, and its implementing regulations as 
described in subsection 6.
Sec. 9.  30 MRSA §6205, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §1, is repealed.
Sec. 10.  30 MRSA §6205, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is 
repealed.
Sec. 11.  30 MRSA §6205, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is 
repealed.
Sec. 12.  30 MRSA §6205, sub-§6 is enacted to read:
6.  Acquisition of additional trust land.  Nothing in this Act limits the ability of the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation to acquire trust land or other natural 
resources in accordance with applicable settlement acts and federal Indian law, including 
but not limited to the federal Indian Reorganization Act, Public Law 73-383, and their 
implementing regulations. Except as required by federal Indian law or as required in 
subsection 1, paragraph B-1 and subsection 2, paragraph B-1, acquisition of trust land or 
natural resources is not subject to approval by the State or any local government within the 
State.
Sec. 13.  30 MRSA §6205-A, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 675, §§2 and 8, is repealed.
Sec. 14.  30 MRSA §6205-B is enacted to read:
§6205-B.  Acquisition of Houlton Band Trust Land
1. Acquisition.  Lands or other natural resources acquired by the secretary for the 
benefit of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians in accordance with the requirements of the 
Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Supplementary Claims Settlement Act of 1986, federal 
Public Law 99-566 are included within Houlton Band Trust Land.
2. Acquisition of additional trust land.  Nothing in this Act limits the ability of the 
Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to acquire trust land or other natural resources in 
accordance with applicable settlement acts and federal Indian law, including but not limited 
to the federal Indian Reorganization Act, Public Law 73-383, and their implementing 
regulations. Except as required by federal Indian law, acquisition of trust land or natural 
resources is not subject to approval by the State or any local government within the State. 
Such lands or natural resources acquired in accordance with this subsection are included 
within Houlton Band Trust Land.
Sec. 15.  30 MRSA §6206, as amended by PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. B, §1 and affected 
by §9 and amended by Pt. E, §1 and affected by §5, is further amended by amending the 
section headnote to read:
§6206.  Powers and duties Rights, privileges, powers, duties and immunities of the 
Indian tribes within their respective Indian territories and the State
Sec. 16.  30 MRSA §6206, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. B, §1 and 
affected by §9, is further amended to read:
1.  General powers.  Except as otherwise provided specified in this Act, the State, the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe and, the Penobscot Nation, within their respective Indian territories, 
and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians agree and intend pursuant to United States Public 
Law 96-420 to recognize that the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton 
Band of Maliseet Indians and their respective members have and may exercise and enjoy 
all the rights, privileges, powers, duties and immunities, including, but without limitation, 
the power to enact ordinances and collect taxes, and are subject to all the duties, obligations, 
liabilities and limitations of a municipality of and subject to the laws of the State, provided, 
however, that internal tribal matters, including membership in the respective tribe or nation, 
the right to reside within the respective Indian territories, tribal organization, tribal 
government, tribal elections, the use or disposition of settlement fund income and the 
exercise of power by the Passamaquoddy Tribe pursuant to section 6207, subsection 10, 
section 6207‑A and section 6209‑A, subsection 1, paragraph F and by the Penobscot Nation 
pursuant to section 6207, subsection 11, section 6207‑B and section 6209‑B, subsection 1, 
paragraph F, respectively, is not subject to regulation by the State. The Passamaquoddy 
Tribe and the Penobscot Nation shall designate such officers and officials as are necessary 
to implement and administer those laws of the State applicable to the respective Indian 
territories and the residents thereof. Any resident of the Passamaquoddy Indian territory or 
the Penobscot Indian territory who is not a member of the respective tribe or nation 
nonetheless is equally entitled to receive any municipal or governmental services provided 
by the respective tribe or nation or by the State, except those services that are provided 
exclusively to members of the respective tribe or nation pursuant to state or federal law, 
and is entitled to vote in national, state and county elections in the same manner as any 
tribal member residing within Indian territory that federally recognized Indian tribes and 
their members generally have or exercise under federal Indian law, including laws and 
regulations of the United States enacted for the benefit of Indians, Indian nations or tribes 
or bands of Indians and laws and regulations that accord a special status or right to or that 
relate to a special status or right of any Indian, Indian nation, tribe or band of Indians, 
Indian lands, Indian reservations, Indian country, Indian territory or land held in trust for 
Indians.
Sec. 17.  30 MRSA §6206, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:
1-A.  Drinking water regulation.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, 
the State does not have authority to regulate the exercise of authority by:
A.  The Passamaquoddy Tribe pursuant to section 6207, subsection 10; section 6207-A; 
and section 6209-A, subsection 1, paragraph F;
B.  The Penobscot Nation pursuant to section 6207, subsection 11; section 6207-B; and 
section 6209-B, subsection 1, paragraph F; and
C.  The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians pursuant to section 6207, subsection 12; 
section 6207-D; and section 6209-C, subsection 1, paragraph F.
Sec. 18.  30 MRSA §6206, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is 
amended to read:
2.  Power to sue and be sued; sovereign immunity.  The Passamaquoddy Tribe, the 
Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and their respective members may 
sue and be sued in the courts of the State to the same extent as any other entity or person 
in the State provided, however, that the respective tribe or nation.  The Passamaquoddy 
Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and its their respective 
officers and employees shall be are immune from suit when the respective tribe or nation 
is acting in its governmental capacity to the same extent as any municipality or like officers 
or employees thereof within the State are other federally recognized Indian tribes and their 
officers and employees under federal Indian law.
Sec. 19.  30 MRSA §6206, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. E, §1 and 
affected by §5, is repealed.
Sec. 20.  30 MRSA §6206-A, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 675, §§3 and 8, is repealed.
Sec. 21.  30 MRSA §6206-B, as amended by PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. D, §3 and affected 
by §8, is repealed.
Sec. 22.  30 MRSA §6207, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2021, c. 650, §7 and affected 
by §13, is repealed.
Sec. 23.  30 MRSA §6207, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:
1-A.  Jurisdiction of tribes.  Except as otherwise specified in subsections 2-A and 3, 
the State recognizes the exclusive jurisdiction that the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot 
Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians have under federal Indian law to regulate 
fishing, hunting, trapping and other taking of wildlife within the boundaries of their 
respective Indian territory or trust land by:
A.  Tribal members of any federally recognized Indian tribes; and
B.  Nontribal citizens.
Sec. 24.  30 MRSA §6207, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is 
repealed.
Sec. 25.  30 MRSA §6207, sub-§2-A is enacted to read:
2-A.  Regulation by State solely for conservation purposes.  Solely for conservation 
purposes, the State has jurisdiction with respect to the regulation of fishing, hunting, 
trapping and other taking of wildlife by Indians off Indian territory or trust land to the extent 
permitted under federal Indian law and in a manner consistent with reserved tribal treaty 
rights.
Sec. 26.  30 MRSA §6207, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is 
amended to read:
3.  Adoption of regulations rules by the commission.  Subject to the limitations of 
subsection 6 Except as provided in subsection 4 with respect to fishing by tribal members 
within the boundaries of their respective Indian territory or trust land that is subject to the 
exclusive jurisdiction of the respective tribe, nation or band, the commission shall have has 
exclusive authority to promulgate adopt fishing rules or regulations on for:
A.  Any pond for which 50% or more of the linear shoreline is within Indian territory 
or trust land other than those specified in subsection 1, paragraph B, 50% or more of 
the linear shoreline of which is ponds in which all the shoreline and submerged lands 
are wholly within Indian territory or trust land and that are less than 10 acres in surface 
area;
B.  Any section of a river or stream both sides of which are within Indian territory or 
trust land; and
C.  Any section of a river or stream one side of which is within Indian territory or trust 
land for a continuous length of 1/2 mile or more.
In promulgating adopting such rules or regulations the commission shall consider and 
balance the need to preserve and protect existing and future sport and commercial fisheries, 
the historical non-Indian nontribal fishing interests, the needs or desires of the tribes to 
establish fishery practices for the sustenance of the tribes or to contribute to the economic 
independence of the tribes, the traditional fishing techniques employed by and ceremonial 
practices of Indians in Maine and the ecological interrelationship between the fishery 
regulated by the commission and other fisheries throughout the State. Such regulation rules 
may include without limitation provisions on the method, manner, bag and size limits and 
season for fishing.
Said The rules or regulations shall must be equally applicable on a nondiscriminatory basis 
to all persons regardless of whether such person is a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe 
or, the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. Rules and regulations 
promulgated adopted by the commission may include the imposition of fees and permits or 
license requirements on users of such waters other than members of the Passamaquoddy 
Tribe and, the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. In adopting rules 
or regulations pursuant to this subsection, the commission shall comply with the Maine 
Administrative Procedure Act.
In order to provide an orderly transition of regulatory authority, all fishing laws and rules 
and regulations of the State shall remain applicable to all waters specified in this subsection 
until such time as the commission certifies to the commissioner Commissioner of Inland 
Fisheries and Wildlife that it has met and voted to adopt its own rules and regulations in 
substitution for such laws and rules and regulations of the State.
Sec. 27.  30 MRSA §6207, sub-§3-A, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 739, §12 and 
affected by §§13 and 14, is repealed.
Sec. 28.  30 MRSA §6207, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is 
amended to read:
4.  Sustenance fishing Fishing and taking of wildlife within the Indian reservations 
territory or trust land.  Notwithstanding any rule or regulation promulgated adopted by 
the commission or any other law of the State, the members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe 
and, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians may take fish, and 
wildlife within the boundaries of their respective Indian reservations, for their individual 
sustenance subject to the limitations of subsection 6 territory or trust land.
Sec. 29.  30 MRSA §6207, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is 
amended to read:
5.  Posting.  Lands or waters subject to regulation by the commission, the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe or, the Penobscot Nation shall or the Houlton Band of Maliseet 
Indians must be conspicuously posted in such a manner as to provide reasonable notice to 
the public of the limitations on hunting, trapping, fishing or other use of such lands or 
waters.
Sec. 30.  30 MRSA §6207, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is 
repealed.
Sec. 31.  30 MRSA §6207, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is 
amended to read:
7.  Transportation of game fish and wildlife.  Fish lawfully taken within Indian 
territory or trust land or in waters subject to commission regulation and wildlife lawfully 
taken within on Indian territory or trust land and registered pursuant to ordinances adopted 
by the Passamaquoddy Tribe and, the Penobscot Nation, or the Houlton Band of Maliseet 
Indians may be transported within the State.
Sec. 32.  30 MRSA §6207, sub-§8, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is 
amended to read:
8.  Fish Protection of fish and wildlife on non-Indian lands Indian territory or 
trust land.  The commission shall undertake appropriate studies, consult with the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe and, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians 
and landowners and state officials, and make recommendations to the commissioner 
Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Legislature with respect to 
implementation of fish and wildlife management policies on non-Indian nontribal lands in 
order to protect fish and wildlife stocks on lands and water subject to regulation by the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians or the 
commission.
Sec. 33.  30 MRSA §6207, sub-§12 is enacted to read:
12.  Regulation of drinking water by Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.  Unless 
the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, in its discretion, enters into an intergovernmental 
agreement authorizing the State to exercise concurrent jurisdiction over specific drinking 
water-related issues within Houlton Band Trust Land:
A.  The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians has exclusive authority to enact ordinances 
regulating drinking water within Houlton Band Trust Land;
B.  The State may not exercise primary enforcement authority from the United States 
Environmental Protection Agency to implement the federal Safe Drinking Water Act 
and its implementing regulations, as amended, within Houlton Band Trust Land; and
C.  The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians may seek to be treated as a state and to obtain 
primary enforcement authority from the United States Environmental Protection 
Agency to implement the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and its implementing 
regulations, as amended, within Houlton Band Trust Land.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the Houlton Band of Maliseet 
Indians' jurisdiction does not extend beyond Houlton Band Trust Land.
Sec. 34.  30 MRSA §6207-C, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. D, §4 and affected 
by §8, is repealed.
Sec. 35.  30 MRSA §6207-D, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. D, §5 and affected 
by §8, is amended by amending the section headnote to read:
§6207-D.  Jurisdiction of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians over drinking water 
within Houlton Band Jurisdiction Trust Land
Sec. 36.  30 MRSA §6207-D, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. D, §5 and 
affected by §8, is amended to read:
1.  Jurisdiction of Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to administer drinking water-
related programs.  The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians may seek to be treated as a state 
pursuant to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 United States Code, Section 300j-11, 
and its implementing regulations, as amended, within Houlton Band Jurisdiction Trust 
Land and may otherwise benefit from and exercise jurisdiction under any other federal law 
enacted after October 10, 1980 that permits a federally recognized Indian tribe to administer 
drinking water-related programs; and
Sec. 37.  30 MRSA §6207-D, 2nd ¶, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. D, §5 and 
affected by §8, is amended to read:
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Houlton Band of Maliseet 
Indians' jurisdiction does not extend beyond Houlton Band Jurisdiction Trust Land.
Sec. 38.  30 MRSA §6207-E is enacted to read:
§6207-E.  Land use and natural resources
Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the State, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the 
Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians agree and intend pursuant to 
United States Public Law 96-420 to recognize that the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the 
Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians have the authority to regulate 
natural resources and land use within the boundaries of their respective Indian territory or 
trust land to the extent provided in federal Indian law.
Sec. 39.  30 MRSA §6208-A, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 675, §§7 and 8, is repealed.
Sec. 40.  30 MRSA §6209-A, sub-§4-A is enacted to read:
4-A.  Civil adjudicatory jurisdiction over matters arising on Passamaquoddy 
Indian territory.  The State and the Passamaquoddy Tribe agree and intend pursuant to 
United States Public Law 96-420 to recognize and adopt the application of federal Indian 
law with regard to the authority of the Passamaquoddy Tribe to exercise adjudicatory 
jurisdiction over civil actions arising on Passamaquoddy Indian territory. The courts of the 
State have adjudicatory jurisdiction over civil actions arising on Passamaquoddy Indian 
territory to the extent provided by federal Indian law or as otherwise provided in this Act.
Sec. 41.  30 MRSA §6209-B, sub-§4-A is enacted to read:
4-A.  Civil adjudicatory jurisdiction over matters arising on Penobscot Indian 
territory.  The State and the Penobscot Nation agree and intend pursuant to United States 
Public Law 96-420 to recognize and adopt the application of federal Indian law with regard 
to the authority of the Penobscot Nation to exercise adjudicatory jurisdiction over civil 
actions arising on Penobscot Indian territory. The courts of the State have adjudicatory 
jurisdiction over civil actions arising on Penobscot Indian territory to the extent provided 
by federal Indian law or as otherwise provided in this Act.
Sec. 42.  30 MRSA §6209-C, sub-§1, ¶A, as amended by PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. C, 
§1 and affected by §5, is further amended to read:
A.  The following criminal offenses committed on Houlton Band Jurisdiction Trust 
Land by an adult member of any federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or other 
group:
(1)  Class C, D and E crimes in Titles 15, 17, 17‑A, 19‑A and 29‑A that are not 
committed against a person or the property of a person; and
(2)  Class C, D and E crimes committed against a person who is a member of any 
federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or other group or against the 
property of a person who is a member of any federally recognized Indian tribe, 
nation, band or other group.
The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians may not deny to any criminal defendant 
prosecuted for a Class C crime the rights and protections enumerated in 25 United 
States Code, Section 1302(c);
Sec. 43.  30 MRSA §6209-C, sub-§1, ¶B, as amended by PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. D, 
§6 and affected by §8, is further amended to read:
B.  Juvenile crimes against a person or property involving conduct that, if committed 
by an adult, would fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Houlton Band of 
Maliseet Indians under paragraph A and juvenile crimes, as defined in Title 15, section 
3103, subsection 1, paragraphs B and C, committed by a juvenile member of the 
Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation or 
the Mi'kmaq Nation within Houlton Band Jurisdiction Trust Land;
Sec. 44.  30 MRSA §6209-C, sub-§1, ¶C, as amended by PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. D, 
§6 and affected by §8, is further amended to read:
C.  Civil actions between members of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation or the Mi'kmaq Nation arising on Houlton 
Band Jurisdiction Trust Land and cognizable as small claims under the laws of the State 
and civil actions against a member of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation or the Mi'kmaq Nation under Title 22, 
section 2383 involving conduct within Houlton Band Jurisdiction Trust Land by a 
member of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the 
Penobscot Nation or the Mi'kmaq Nation;
Sec. 45.  30 MRSA §6209-C, sub-§1, ¶E, as amended by PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. D, 
§6 and affected by §8, is further amended to read:
E.  Other domestic relations matters, including marriage, divorce and support, between 
members of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the 
Penobscot Nation or the Mi'kmaq Nation, both of whom reside within the Houlton 
Band Jurisdiction Trust Land; and
Sec. 46.  30 MRSA §6209-C, sub-§1, ¶F, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. D, §6 
and affected by §8, is amended to read:
F.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, civil and criminal actions 
regarding the enforcement of ordinances enacted pursuant to section 6207‑C, 
subsection 10 6207, subsection 12, except that the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians 
may not exercise jurisdiction over a nonprofit public municipal corporation.
Sec. 47.  30 MRSA §6209-C, sub-§1-C, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. C, 
§2 and affected by §5, is amended to read:
A.  Class C, D and E crimes committed on Houlton Band Jurisdiction Trust Land by 
an adult member of any federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or other group 
against a person who is not a member of any federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, 
band or other group or against the property of a person who is not a member of any 
federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or other group; and
Sec. 48.  30 MRSA §6209-C, sub-§1-C, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. C, 
§2 and affected by §5, is amended to read:
B.  Class C, D and E crimes committed on Houlton Band Jurisdiction Trust Land by a 
person who is not a member of any federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or 
other group as authorized in the federal Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization 
Act of 2022, Public Law 117-103, Division W, Title VIII, Subtitle A, Section 804, 25 
United States Code, Section 1304. Notwithstanding subsection 2, the Houlton Band of 
Maliseet Indians may not deny to any criminal defendant prosecuted pursuant to this 
paragraph the rights and protections enumerated in 25 United States Code, Sections 
1302(a), 1302(c), 1303 and 1304(d) and all other rights whose protection is necessary 
under the United States Constitution in order for Congress or the State to recognize 
concurrent jurisdiction under this paragraph.  
Sec. 49.  30 MRSA §6209-C, sub-§1-D, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. C, 
§3 and affected by §5, is amended to read:
A.  All crimes and juvenile crimes committed on Houlton Band Jurisdiction Trust Land 
against the State or against any office, department, agency, authority, commission, 
board, institution, hospital or other instrumentality of the State, including the Maine 
Turnpike Authority, the Maine Port Authority, the Northern New England Passenger 
Rail Authority, the Maine Community College System, the Maine Veterans' Homes, 
the Maine Public Employees Retirement System, the Maine Military Authority and all 
similar state entities; and
Sec. 50.  30 MRSA §6209-C, sub-§1-D, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. C, 
§3 and affected by §5, is amended to read:
B.  Class C, D and E crimes defined in provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes outside 
of Titles 15, 17, 17‑A, 19‑A and 29‑A committed on Houlton Band Jurisdiction Trust 
Land by an adult member of any federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or other 
group that are not committed against a person or the property of a person.
Sec. 51.  30 MRSA §6209-C, sub-§4-A is enacted to read:
4-A.  Civil adjudicatory jurisdiction over matters arising on Houlton Band Trust 
Land.  The State and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians agree and intend pursuant to 
United States Public Law 96-420 to recognize and adopt the application of federal Indian 
law with regard to the authority of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to exercise 
adjudicatory jurisdiction over civil actions arising on Houlton Band Trust Land. The courts 
of the State have adjudicatory jurisdiction over civil actions arising on Houlton Band Trust 
Land to the extent provided by federal Indian law or as otherwise provided in this Act.
Sec. 52.  30 MRSA §6210, as amended by PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. E, §§2 to 4 and 
affected by §5, is further amended to read:
§6210.  Law enforcement on Indian reservations and within Indian territory and trust 
land
1.  Exclusive authority of tribal law enforcement officers.  Law enforcement officers 
appointed by the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the 
Penobscot Nation have exclusive authority to enforce, within their respective Indian 
territories and trust land:
A.  Within their respective Indian territories, Tribal laws and ordinances adopted under 
section 6206 and section 6207, subsections 1 1-A, 10 and, 11 and 12;
B.  On their respective Indian reservations, the The criminal, and juvenile, civil and 
domestic relations laws over which the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe or the Penobscot Nation have jurisdiction under section 6209-C, 
subsection 1, paragraphs A and B, section 6209‑A, subsection 1, paragraphs A and B 
and section 6209‑B, subsection 1, paragraphs A and B, respectively; and
C.  Within their respective Indian territories, the The civil and domestic relations laws 
over which the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe or the 
Penobscot Nation have jurisdiction under section 6209-C, subsection 1, paragraphs C 
to F, section 6209‑A, subsection 1, paragraphs C to F and section 6209‑B, subsection 
1, paragraphs C to F, respectively.
1-A.  Appointment of tribal law enforcement officers.  The Houlton Band of 
Maliseet Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation may appoint law 
enforcement officers who have the authority to enforce the laws of the State that are 
applicable within Indian territory or trust land. This subsection does not limit the 
appointment or authority of tribal officers under tribal law or affect the performance of 
federal duties by tribal officers.
2.  Joint authority of tribal and state law enforcement officers.  Law enforcement 
officers appointed by the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe and 
the Penobscot Nation have the authority within their respective Indian territories territory 
and trust land and state and county law enforcement officers have the authority within both 
Indian territories territory or trust land to enforce:
A.  Rules or regulations adopted by the commission under section 6207, subsection 3; 
and
B.  All laws of the State other than those over which law enforcement officers 
appointed by the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe or the 
Penobscot Nation have exclusive jurisdiction under subsection 1.
3.  Agreements for cooperation and mutual aid.  This section does not impact 
existing agreements for cooperation and mutual aid between the Houlton Band of Maliseet 
Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe or the Penobscot Nation and any state, county or local 
law enforcement agency or prevent the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe or the Penobscot Nation and any state, county or local law 
enforcement agency from entering into future agreements for cooperation and mutual aid.
4.  Powers and training requirements.  Law When enforcing applicable state law, 
law enforcement officers appointed by the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation possess the same powers and are subject 
to the same duties, limitations and training requirements as other corresponding law 
enforcement officers under the laws of the State.
4-A.  Reports to the State Bureau of Identification by Passamaquoddy Tribe.  
Passamaquoddy Tribe law enforcement agencies shall submit to the Department of Public 
Safety, State Bureau of Identification uniform crime reports and other information required 
by Title 25, section 1544.
5.  Reports to the State Bureau of Identification by Penobscot Nation.  Penobscot 
Nation law enforcement agencies shall submit to the Department of Public Safety, State 
Bureau of Identification uniform crime reports and other information required by Title 25, 
section 1544.
6.  Reports to the State Bureau of Identification by Houlton Band of Maliseet 
Indians.  Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians law enforcement agencies shall submit to the 
Department of Public Safety, State Bureau of Identification uniform crime reports and other 
information required by Title 25, section 1544.
Sec. 53.  30 MRSA §6211, as amended by PL 2009, c. 384, Pt. A, §3 and affected 
by §4, is further amended by amending the section headnote to read:
§6211.  Eligibility of Indian tribes and for state funding
Sec. 54.  30 MRSA §6211, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2009, c. 384, Pt. A, §3 and 
affected by §4, is further amended to read:
1.  Eligibility generally.  The Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the 
Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians are eligible for participation and entitled to receive 
benefits from the State under any state program that provides financial assistance to all 
municipalities as a matter of right.  Such entitlement must be determined using statutory 
criteria and formulas generally applicable to municipalities in the State.  To the extent that 
any such program requires municipal financial participation as a condition of state funding, 
the share for the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of 
Maliseet Indians may be raised through any source of revenue available to the respective 
tribe, nation or band, including but without limitation taxation to the extent authorized 
within its respective Indian territory or trust land.  In the event that any applicable formula 
regarding distribution of money employs a factor for the municipal real property tax rate, 
and in the absence of such tax within the Indian territory or trust land, the formula 
applicable to such Indian territory or trust land must be computed using the most current 
average equalized real property tax rate of all municipalities in the State as determined by 
the State Tax Assessor.  In the event any such formula regarding distribution of money 
employs a factor representing municipal valuation, the valuation applicable to such Indian 
territory or trust land must be determined by the State Tax Assessor in the manner generally 
provided by the laws of the State as long as property owned by or held in trust for a tribe, 
nation or band and used for governmental purposes is treated for purposes of valuation as 
like property owned by a municipality.
Sec. 55.  30 MRSA §6211, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2009, c. 384, Pt. A, §3 and 
affected by §4, is further amended to read:
4.  Eligibility of individuals for state funds.  Residents of the Indian territories 
territory or Houlton Band Trust Land trust land are eligible for and entitled to receive any 
state grant, loan, unemployment compensation, medical or welfare benefit or other social 
service to the same extent as and subject to the same eligibility requirements applicable to 
other persons in the State as long as in computing the extent to which any person is entitled 
to receive any such funds any money received by such person from the United States within 
substantially the same period of time for which state funds are provided and for a program 
or purpose substantially similar to that funded by the State is deducted in computing any 
payment to be made by the State.
Sec. 56.  30 MRSA §6213, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is amended 
to read:
§6213.  Approval of prior transfers
1.  Approval of tribal transfers.  Any transfer of land or other natural resources 
located anywhere within the State, from, by, or on behalf of any Indian nation, or tribe or 
band of Indians, including but without limitation any transfer pursuant to any treaty, 
compact or statute of any state, which transfer that occurred prior to the effective date of 
this Act, shall be is deemed to have been made in accordance with the laws of the State.
2.  Approval of certain individual transfers.  Any transfer of land or other natural 
resources located anywhere within the State, from, by or on behalf of any individual Indian, 
which that occurred prior to December 1, 1873, including but without limitation any 
transfer pursuant to any treaty, compact or statute of any state, shall be is deemed to have 
been made in accordance with the laws of the State.
Sec. 57.  30 MRSA §6214, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 732, §§1 and 31, is amended 
to read:
§6214.  Tribal school committees
The Passamaquoddy Tribe and, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of 
Maliseet Indians are authorized to create respective tribal school committees, in 
substitution for the committees heretofore provided for under the laws of the State. Such 
tribal school committees shall operate under the laws of the State applicable to school 
administrative units. The presently constituted tribal school committee of the respective 
tribe or nation shall committees of the Passamaquoddy Tribe and Penobscot Nation 
continue in existence and shall exercise all the authority heretofore vested by law in it until 
such time as the respective tribe or nation creates the tribal school committee authorized 
by this section.
Sec. 58.  30 MRSA §6215 is enacted to read:
§6215.  Civil jurisdiction
1.  Nonmembers subject to state laws on Indian territory or trust land.  The State, 
the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians 
agree and intend pursuant to United States Public Law 96-420 to recognize and adopt the 
application of federal Indian law with regard to the applicability of the laws of the State to 
nonmembers on the Indian territory or trust land of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the 
Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, except as otherwise provided 
in this Act.
2.  Members and entities not subject to state laws on Indian territory or trust land.  
The State, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of 
Maliseet Indians agree and intend pursuant to United States Public Law 96-420 to 
recognize that, except as otherwise provided in this Act or by federal Indian law, the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and 
their respective tribal members and tribal entities are not subject to the laws of the State, 
including state and local civil regulatory jurisdiction, on their respective Indian territory or 
trust land.
3.  Exclusive civil regulatory authority over tribal members and tribal entities on 
Indian territory or trust land.  The State, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot 
Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians agree and intend pursuant to United States 
Public Law 96-420 to recognize that, except as otherwise provided in this Act or by federal 
Indian law, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of 
Maliseet Indians have exclusive civil regulatory jurisdiction over their respective tribal 
members and tribal entities on their respective Indian territory or trust land.
4.  Concurrent civil regulatory authority over nonmembers on Indian territory or 
trust land.  The State, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton 
Band of Maliseet Indians agree and intend pursuant to United States Public Law 96-420 to 
recognize that, except as otherwise provided in this Act or by federal Indian law, the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the 
State and local governments have concurrent civil regulatory jurisdiction over nonmembers 
on the Indian territory or trust land of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and 
the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.
Sec. 59.  30 MRSA §6216 is enacted to read:
§6216.  Federal laws apply; do not affect or preempt laws of this State
The State, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of 
Maliseet Indians agree and intend pursuant to United States Public Law 96-420 that any 
law of this State, including, without limitation, laws of this State relating to land use or 
environmental matters, that is contrary to any law or regulation of the United States that 
accords a special status or right to or relates to a special status or right of any Indian, Indian 
nation, tribe or band of Indians, Indian lands, Indian reservations, Indian country, Indian 
territory or land held in trust for Indians, or that would be affected or preempted by such 
law or regulation of the United States, does not apply to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the 
Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and their tribal members and 
lands, except as otherwise provided by this Act or federal Indian law. Except for laws that 
conflict with the jurisdiction over crimes and juvenile crimes described in this Act, the 
State, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet 
Indians further agree and intend pursuant to United States Public Law 96-420 that any law 
or regulation of the United States enacted before, on or after October 10, 1980 that accords 
a special status or right to or relates to a special status or right of any Indian, Indian nation, 
tribe or band of Indians, Indian lands, Indian reservations, Indian country, Indian territory 
or land held in trust for Indians applies to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, 
the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and their tribal members and lands.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Act to the contrary, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, 
the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians may conduct gaming 
activities only in accordance with state law and may not conduct gaming activities under 
the authority of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act or under any regulations 
thereunder promulgated by the chair of the United States Department of the Interior, 
National Indian Gaming Commission or its successor organization.
Sec. 60.  36 MRSA §111, sub-§1-E, as enacted by PL 2021, c. 681, Pt. C, §2, is 
amended to read:
1-E.  Houlton Band Trust Land.  "Houlton Band Trust Land" has the same meaning 
as in means all land or natural resources acquired by the secretary as defined in Title 30, 
section 6203, subsection 11 in trust for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians pursuant to 
the federal Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Supplementary Claims Settlement Act of 
1986, Public Law 99-566, Section 2(2) or pursuant to any other applicable federal Indian 
law as defined in Title 30, section 6203, subsection 1-B, including but not limited to the 
federal Indian Reorganization Act, Public Law 73-383, and its implementing regulations 
as described in Title 30, section 6205-B, subsection 2.
Sec. 61. Dispute resolution.  The Governor, the Attorney General and the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, 
through their respective designees, must collaborate on an alternative dispute resolution 
process to resolve tribal-state disputes, to be known as "the ADR work group." The Maine 
Indian Tribal-State Commission established under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30, 
section 6212, subsection 1 shall provide assistance to the ADR work group by providing 
input and answering questions regarding alternative dispute resolution options appropriate 
to tribal-state disputes, including identifying best practices, developing mutual respect, 
working on a government-to-government basis and respecting the sovereignty of the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and 
the State, and any existing culturally appropriate models. No later than November 15, 2025, 
the ADR work group shall provide a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary 
that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, regarding 
a tribal-state alternative dispute resolution process. The committee may report out 
legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature based on the 
recommendations of the ADR work group.
Sec. 62.  Contingent effective date. This Act takes effect 150 days after 
adjournment of the First Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature only if, within 120 days 
after adjournment of the First Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature, the Secretary of 
State receives written certification from the Chief of the Penobscot Nation, or the designee 
under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 602, that the nation has agreed to the 
provisions of this Act; from the Chief of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik and the Chief 
of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk, or the designee under Title 3, section 602, 
that the tribe has agreed to the provisions of this Act; and from the Chief of the Houlton 
Band of Maliseet Indians, or the designee under Title 3, section 602, that the band has 
agreed to the provisions of this Act, copies of which must be submitted by the Secretary of 
State to the Secretary of the Senate, the Clerk of the House and the Revisor of Statutes.  
Upon such written certification by the Houlton Band Council of the Houlton Band of 
Maliseet Indians, each section of this Act regarding or affecting the Houlton Band of 
Maliseet Indians and its tribal members and lands constitutes a jurisdictional agreement for 
purposes of the federal Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980, Public Law 96-420, 
Section 6(e)(2). Such written certification by the Houlton Band Council of the Houlton 
Band of Maliseet Indians does not constitute an agreement that the contingencies in Public 
Law 1981, chapter 675 were met or that the provisions of Public Law 1981, chapter 675 
ever took effect.
SUMMARY
This bill implements several of the consensus recommendations of the Task Force on 
Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act governing the 
relationship between the State and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation. The January 14, 2020 report of the Task 
Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act is available 
online at http://legislature.maine.gov/maine-indian-claims-tf.
The bill makes substantial changes to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30, chapter 
601, currently known as "AN ACT to Implement the Maine Indian Claims Settlement," 
including by renaming the chapter "the Maine Implementing Act."  The bill is designed to 
restore to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of 
Maliseet Indians many of the rights to self-determination enjoyed by other federally 
recognized Indian tribes within the United States.  To carry out this purpose, the bill repeals 
or amends many provisions of the Maine Implementing Act to recognize that federal Indian 
law governs the rights, privileges, powers, duties and immunities of the tribe, nation and 
band.  "Federal Indian law" is defined to mean the United States Constitution and all 
generally applicable federal statutes and regulations as well as common law and case law 
interpreting, implementing, applying or enforcing those constitutional, statutory and 
regulatory provisions relating to the rights, status, privileges, powers, duties and 
immunities of federally recognized Indian tribes and their members and land or other 
natural resources within the United States.  
With respect to tribal land acquisition, the bill:
1.  Repeals the definition of "Houlton Band Jurisdiction Land" enacted in Public Law 
2023, chapter 369 and instead recognizes that the rights, privileges, powers, duties and 
immunities of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians recognized in the Maine Implementing 
Act apply to "Houlton Band Trust Land," which is defined to include all land and natural 
resources acquired by the United States Secretary of the Interior in trust for the band under 
the federal Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Supplementary Claims Settlement Act of 
1986 or any other applicable federal law, including the federal Indian Reorganization Act;
2.  Amends the provisions describing Passamaquoddy Indian territory and Penobscot 
Indian territory, the lands over which the tribe and the nation have the rights, privileges, 
powers, duties and immunities of federally recognized Indian tribes under the Maine 
Implementing Act.  The bill restructures the procedures for land acquired by the United 
States Secretary of the Interior in trust for the tribe or the nation to be considered Indian 
territory.  Instead of limiting trust land acquisition to specifically described parcels of land, 
the bill recognizes as Indian territory any land acquired by the secretary in trust for the tribe 
or nation within specific counties of the State either prior to the effective date of this 
legislation or after the effective date of this legislation if the land is not located within the 
borders of a city, town, village or plantation.  If trust land within the specified counties is 
acquired after the effective date of this legislation and is located within the borders of a 
city, town, village or plantation, it may be considered Indian territory if the tribe or nation 
enters into an agreement with the local government addressing payments in lieu of taxes, 
allocation of law enforcement responsibility and land use. Lands acquired in trust for the 
tribe or the nation under any applicable federal law, including the federal Indian 
Reorganization Act, are also considered Indian territory;
3.  Includes within Passamaquoddy Indian territory all lands owned in fee simple by 
the Passamaquoddy Tribe on the effective date of this legislation if those lands are located 
within specific counties and are subsequently acquired by the United States Secretary of 
the Interior in trust for the Passamaquoddy Tribe; and
4.  Repeals the provisions of the Maine Implementing Act regarding the takings of 
tribal lands for public use.
The bill provides that the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton 
Band of Maliseet Indians, as well as their officers and employees, are immune from suit to 
the same extent as other federally recognized Indian tribes and their officers and employees 
under federal Indian law.
With respect to the regulation of natural resources, the bill:
1.  Recognizes the exclusive authority of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot 
Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to regulate fishing, hunting, trapping and 
other taking of wildlife by both tribal and nontribal citizens within their respective Indian 
territories and trust land; 
2.  Retains the authority of the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission under current 
law to regulate fishing on boundary waters; and
3.  Authorizes the State, solely for conservation purposes, to regulate tribal members 
engaged in fishing, hunting, trapping and other taking of wildlife off Indian territory or 
trust land to the extent permitted under federal Indian law and consistent with reserved 
tribal treaty rights.
The bill combines within one section of the Maine Implementing Act the authority of 
law enforcement officers appointed by the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation to enforce laws within their respective 
Indian territories and trust land.  The bill recognizes that law enforcement officers 
appointed by the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation have exclusive authority 
to enforce within their respective Indian territories, and law enforcement officers appointed 
by the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians have exclusive authority to enforce within 
Houlton Band Trust Land, the criminal and juvenile laws over which their respective tribal 
courts have exclusive jurisdiction.  
The bill also recognizes the authority of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to create 
a tribal school committee analogous to the authority of the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the 
Penobscot Nation to create tribal school committees under current law.
With respect to civil jurisdiction, the bill:
1.  Recognizes the exclusive authority, under federal Indian law, of the Houlton Band 
of Maliseet Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation to exercise civil 
regulatory authority on their respective Indian territory or trust land over their respective 
tribal members and tribal entities; 
2.  Recognizes the concurrent authority with the State, under federal Indian law, of the 
Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation to 
exercise civil regulatory authority on their respective Indian territory or trust land over 
persons and entities who are not tribal citizens or tribal entities; and
3.  Recognizes and adopts the application of federal Indian law with respect to the 
authority of the State and of the tribal courts of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the 
Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation to exercise adjudicatory jurisdiction over 
civil actions arising on the band's, tribe's or nation's respective Indian territory or trust land.
The bill also requires the development of a dispute resolution process to facilitate 
resolution of disputes between the State and tribes.
The bill explicitly provides that, for purposes of the federal Maine Indian Claims 
Settlement Act of 1980, Public Law 96-420, except for any provision of federal Indian law 
that conflicts with the Maine Implementing Act's allocation between the State and the tribes 
of jurisdiction over crimes and juvenile crimes, the provisions of any federal law enacted 
before, on or after October 10, 1980, that accords a special status or right to or relates to a 
special status or right of any Indian, Indian nation, tribe or band of Indians, Indian lands, 
Indian reservations, Indian country, Indian territory or land held in trust for Indians applies 
to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians 
and their members and tribal lands.  However, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot 
Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians may conduct gaming activities only in 
accordance with state law and not under the authority of the federal Indian Gaming 
Regulatory Act or its implementing regulations.
Finally, the bill either repeals or repeals and replaces each provision of the Maine 
Implementing Act that was enacted by Public Law 1981, chapter 675 and provides that, if 
the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians certifies its agreement to the provisions of this 
legislation, that agreement constitutes a jurisdictional agreement between the State and the 
Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians for purposes of the federal Maine Indian Claims 
Settlement Act of 1980, Public Law 96-420, Section 6(e)(2) but does not constitute an 
agreement by the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians that the provisions of Public Law 1981, 
chapter 675 ever took effect.
The provisions of this bill take effect 150 days after adjournment of the First Regular 
Session of the 132nd Legislature only if the relevant officials of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, 
the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians certify the tribe's, nation's 
and band's agreements to the legislation within 120 days after adjournment of the First 
Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.