Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §7053, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 420, §1, is amended to read:

3. Same duties and powers as sheriffs. In addition to their specified duties and powers, wardens have the same duties and powers throughout the several counties of the State as sheriffs have in their respective counties,__except that a warden's primary responsibility is enforcement of laws protecting fish and wildlife.

A. Wardens have the same rights as sheriffs to require aid in executing the duties of their offices.

B. Wardens are entitled to the same fees as sheriffs and their deputies for like services, except before the District Court. All the fees shall must be paid to the commissioner.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill clarifies the law enforcement authority of game wardens.

This bill amends the laws delineating wardens' powers to provide authority to stop a motor vehicle or watercraft, as those terms are defined in the fish and wildlife laws, only when the warden is in uniform and has reasonable and articulable suspicion to believe that a violation has taken place or is taking place. This power is consistent with the general authority of law enforcement officers to stop motor vehicles under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A.

This bill authorizes game wardens to make regulatory stops to determine compliance with license, permit, equipment or other requirements or restrictions when the following circumstances exist:

1. The game warden is in uniform;