Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §7035, sub-§21 is enacted to read:

21.__Disabled hunter, trapper and angler advisory committee.__ The commissioner shall establish a disabled hunter, trapper and angler advisory committee composed of 4 disabled persons, a licensed physician, a representative of state agencies that work on disability issues, 2 statewide organizations representing hunters, trappers or anglers, and one interested person.__The purpose of the advisory committee is to advise the commissioner on applications for a special permit under section 7076, subsection 16 and to provide recommendations to the commissioner on ways to promote and enhance access to hunting, fishing and trapping opportunities in this State for disabled persons.__The commissioner shall meet with the advisory committee at least twice a year, once during the month of January, February or March and once during the month of July, August or September, to review applications for special permits to accommodate permanent physical disabilities provided for in section 7076, subsection 16 but may meet more often as the commissioner determines necessary.__ The commissioner may, within existing budgeted resources, reimburse advisory committee members for mileage or other expenses related to their attending meetings of the advisory committee.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §7076, sub-§16 is enacted to read:

16.__Special permits to accommodate permanent physical disabilities.__The commissioner may issue a special permit to a person with a permanent physical disability that includes special authorization that allows that person to hunt, trap or fish at times or in a manner otherwise prohibited by chapters 701 to 721 in order to enhance access to hunting, trapping and fishing opportunities.__No laws or rules may be waived except as are necessary to effect this subsection.__A permit may be issued under this subsection only if:

A.__The applicant provides the commissioner with a letter signed by a licensed physician clearly stating the nature of that person's disability, the permanence of the disability and the extent to which the disability affects that person's ambulatory ability or endurance; use of one or both hands, arms or legs; or sight or hearing;

B.__The commissioner determines that the permanent physical disability prevents that person from safely accessing hunting, trapping or fishing opportunities at the times or in the manner allowed by chapters 701 to 721 or by rules adopted pursuant to those chapters; and