Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6025-A is enacted to read:

§6025-A.__New Hampshire marine patrol

A member of the New Hampshire marine patrol who, in the course of patrolling the waters of the Piscataqua River or Portsmouth Harbor, observes activity that the officer reasonably suspects may result in loss of life, widespread injury or widespread and severe property damage has authority to enter Maine and has the same authority to investigate, detain and execute an arrest as a Maine marine patrol officer.__When a member of the New Hampshire marine patrol is engaged in Maine in carrying out the purpose of this subsection, that member has all the same privileges as Maine marine patrol officers in addition to privileges available under New Hampshire law.

Sec. 2. Contingent effective date; reciprocal legislation. This Act takes effect when the Maine Commissioner of Marine Resources certifies to the Secretary of State and submits a copy of that certification to the Office of the Revisor of Statutes that the State of New Hampshire has enacted law that is substantially the same as the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 6025-A as enacted in this Act and gives reciprocal authority to Maine marine patrol officers.

SUMMARY

This bill gives New Hampshire marine patrol officers the authority to investigate potential terrorist activities in Maine waters in the Piscataqua River or Portsmouth Harbor. This bill takes effect when reciprocal authority is granted to the Maine marine patrol officers, in order that they may investigate potential terrorist activities in New Hampshire waters.