2. Commissioner's authority to terminate coyote season. The commissioner may terminate open season on coyote night hunting at any time in any area if, in the commissioner's opinion, an immediate emergency action is necessary due to adverse weather conditions or unlawful hunting activity.

Sec. 21. 12 MRSA §10105, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. D, §7, is repealed.

Sec. 22. 12 MRSA §10105, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. D, §7, is amended to read:

4. Search and rescue. Whenever the commissioner receives notification that any person has gone into the woodlands or onto the inland waters of the State on a hunting, fishing or other trip and has become lost, stranded or drowned, the commissioner shall exercise the authority to take reasonable steps to ensure the safe and timely recovery of that person;, except in cases involving downed or lost aircraft covered by Title 6, section 303.

A. The commissioner may summon any person in the State to assist in search and rescue attempts. Each person summoned must be paid at a rate set by the commissioner with the approval of the Governor and must be provided with subsistence while engaged in these activities.

B. The commissioner may enter into written agreements with other agencies or corporations, including commercial recreational areas, allowing partial search and rescue responsibility within specified areas.

C. The commissioner may terminate a search and rescue operation by members of the department when, in the commissioner's opinion, all reasonable efforts have been exhausted.

D. The commissioner may recover all costs directly related to a specific search and rescue operation:

(1) From the person for whom the search and rescue operation was conducted; or

(2) If a person knowingly provided false information that leads led to a search and rescue operation, from the person who provided that false information.