Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §1834, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 678, §13, is amended to read:

2. Grant of permits. The bureau may grant permits and enter into contracts to cut timber, harvest grass and wild foods, tap maple trees for sap and cultivate and harvest crops provided that those permits and contract rights create revocable licenses to the permittee or party to the contract and do not create any real property interest in the nonreserved public lands. The bureau may not grant permits or enter into contracts to cut timber with a person who is not a United States citizen or who employs or contracts with persons who are not United States citizens for the cutting and skidding of timber on nonreserved lands.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §1848, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 678, §13, is amended to read:

2. Grant of permits. The bureau may grant permits and enter into contracts to cut timber, harvest grass and wild foods, tap maple trees for sap and cultivate and harvest crops provided that such permits and contract rights create revocable licenses to the permittee or party to the contract and do not create any real property interest in the public reserved lands. The bureau may not grant permits or enter into contracts to cut timber with a person who is not a United States citizen or who employs or contracts with persons who are not United States citizens for the cutting and skidding of timber on reserved lands.

SUMMARY

This bill prohibits the Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands from contracting for timber harvesting on the public reserved and nonreserved lands with anyone who is not a United States citizen.