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An Act To Protect Maine's Loons by Banning Lead Sinkers and Jigs
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §12663-A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §288 and affected by §422, is amended to read:
§ 12663-A.Unlawful sale of lead sinkers and jigs
 
1. Sale of lead sinker or jig.   A person may not sell a lead sinker or jig for fishing that contains any lead and weighs 1/2one ounce or less or measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length.
 
A. A person who violates this subsection 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 this subsection 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.
 
2. Offer lead sinker or jig for sale.   A person may not offer for sale a lead sinker or jig for fishing that contains any lead and weighs 1/2one ounce or less or measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length.
 
A. A person who violates this subsection 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 this subsection 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.
 
3. Definitions.   For the purposes of this section, "sinker" means a device that is designed to be attached to a fishing line and intended to sink the line. "Sinker" does not include artificial lures, weighted line, weighted flies or jig heads. For the purposes of this section, "jig" means a weighted hook and does not include lead fishing-related items, including but not limited to fishing line, flies, lures or spoons.
Sec. 2.  12 MRSA §12664  is enacted to read:
§ 12664. Unlawful use of lead sinkers and jigs
 
1.  Unlawful use.     A person may not use a lead sinker or jig for fishing that contains any lead and weighs one ounce or less or measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length.
 
A.  A person who violates this subsection 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 this subsection 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.
 
2.  Definitions.     For the purposes of this section, "sinker" means a device that is designed to be attached to a fishing line and intended to sink the line. "Sinker" does not include artificial lures, weighted line, weighted flies or jig heads. For the purposes of this section, "jig" means a weighted hook and does not include lead fishing-related items, including but not limited to fishing line, flies, lures or spoons.
 
SUMMARY
This bill makes it illegal to sell or use lead sinkers and jigs weighing one ounce or less and measuring 2 1/2 inches or less in length.