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An Act Relating to the Unlawful Cutting of Trees
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  17 MRSA §2510, sub-§§6 and 7  are enacted to read:
 
6.  Second and subsequent violations.     A person who violates subsection 1 after having previously been adjudicated of a violation of subsection 1:
 
A.  Must obtain bonding to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry before commencing any further tree harvesting; and
 
B.  Must obtain approval from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry before commencing any further tree harvesting.
 
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, section 375, subsection 2-A.
 
7.  Knowing violation; Class D crime.     A person is guilty of knowingly engaging in unlawful cutting of trees if that person:
 
A.  Violates subsection 1 after having previously been adjudicated of a violation of subsection 1; and
 
B.  Has a culpable state of mind under Title 17-A, section 34 in committing the second or subsequent violation.
 
Knowingly engaging in unlawful cutting of trees is a Class D crime.
 
SUMMARY
This bill provides that a person who violates state law regarding the unlawful cutting of trees more than once must obtain bonding to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and seek approval from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry before commencing any further tree harvesting. This bill creates a new Class D crime of knowingly engaging in the unlawful cutting of trees.