Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10853, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:

1.__Residents 100 years of age or older.__A complimentary license or permit to hunt deer, including an antlerless deer permit under section 11152, must be issued to any resident of the State who is 100 years of age or older upon application to the commissioner.

A.__A resident who applies for a complimentary license or permit under this subsection at any time during the calendar year of that resident's 100th birthday must be issued the appropriate license or permit upon application, regardless of the actual date during that calendar year in which that resident attains 100 years of age. The application must be accompanied by a birth certificate or other certified evidence of the applicant's date of birth and proof of residency.

B.__A complimentary license or permit issued under this subsection remains valid for the remainder of the life of the license or permit holder, as long as the license or permit holder continues to satisfy the residency requirements set out in section 10001, subsection 53 and the license or permit is not revoked or suspended.

SUMMARY

Current law provides a complimentary license to hunt, trap or fish to residents 70 years of age or older; this benefit is due to expire January 1, 2006.

This bill allows a resident 100 years of age or older to obtain a complimentary license or permit to hunt any deer, including antlerless deer.