An Act To Establish a Coyote Bounty Permit
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §11161 is enacted to read:
§ 11161. Coyote bounty permit
1. Eligibility; hunting license required. A person who possesses a valid hunting license is eligible to obtain a coyote bounty permit from the commissioner.
2. Issuance. The commissioner shall issue a coyote bounty permit to eligible persons for a fee of $40.
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §11162 is enacted to read:
§ 11162. Registration stations and agents
1. Registration stations established. The commissioner shall adopt rules governing the establishment and closure of coyote registration stations for the purpose of registering coyote and to allow for the collection of biological and hunting data. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
2. Agents designated. A registration agent designated by the commissioner must be in charge of each coyote registration station.
3. Agent duties. A registration agent shall:
A. Register every coyote legally presented for registration;
B. Attach a seal to a coyote in the manner directed and with the materials furnished by the commissioner; and
C. Pay the person registering a coyote a $10 bounty for each coyote registered.
4. Publication of registration stations. A list of registration stations for coyote must be published annually in one or more daily newspapers in the State and on the department's publicly accessible website.
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §11163 is enacted to read:
§ 11163. Tagging coyote
1. Tags. The commissioner shall prescribe the form and content of and produce coyote tags.
2. Tagging. Prior to presenting a coyote for registration, a person may not possess or leave a coyote killed by that person unless the coyote has securely attached to it a plainly visible tag that conforms to the requirements established under this section.
3. Penalties. The following penalties apply to violations of subsection 2.
A. A person who violates subsection 2 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
B. A person who violates subsection 2 after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.
summary
This bill establishes a coyote bounty permit. It establishes registration stations, tags and a bounty of $10 for each coyote registered.