Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §7463-A, sub-§15 is enacted to read:

15.__Commissioner may trade moose permit for big game permit in another state.__Notwithstanding subsection 4, the commissioner may trade one nonresident moose permit with the appropriate fish and wildlife officials in another state for a big game permit in that state.__The commissioner shall award this big game permit to a resident of this State in a lottery in which any resident of this State who is eligible to obtain a hunting license in the state that issues the big game permit or who will be eligible to obtain a hunting license in the state that issues the big game permit by the opening day of the big game season may participate without charge.__Notwithstanding this subsection, the total number of moose hunting permits issued each year must be in accordance with subsection 2-B.__The commissioner may adopt rules, which are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A, to carry out the purposes of this subsection.

SUMMARY

This bill provides that the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife may trade one nonresident moose permit with the appropriate fish and wildlife officials in another state for a big game permit in that state. The commissioner shall award this big game permit to a resident of this State in a lottery in which a resident of this State may participate without charge.