An Act To Strengthen Maine's Wildlife Laws
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10001, sub-§39, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §10105, sub-§14, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 668, §1, is amended to read:
Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §11851, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and amended by c. 655, Pt. B, §184 and affected by §422, is further amended to read:
§ 11851. Hunting wild birds
Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §11852, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:
§ 11852. Reopening season
Whenever a section of the State is closed to hunting by proclamation of the Governor during the open season on birds, the commissioner, after the proclamation has been annulled, with the consent of the Governor, may extend the open season for bird hunting in that section of the State for a period not to exceed the number of days lost as permitted by regulations of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 United States Code, Sections 703 to 712.
Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §11854, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:
§ 11854. Nest or eggs of wild birds
A person may not take, possess or needlessly destroy the nest or eggs of a wild bird, except the English or European house sparrow , the rock dove and the European starling. A person who violates this section commits a Class E crime.
Sec. 6. 12 MRSA §11857 is enacted to read:
§ 11857. Unlawful possession of ruffed grouse
Sec. 7. Wildlife Importation and Possession Task Force established. The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall establish a task force to consider the effect of the importation and possession of wildlife and the issues of possession and exhibition of wildlife in the State. The task force must include a representative of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, a representative of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Bureau of Warden Service and 3 members of the public invited by the commissioner. The duties of the task force include developing recommendations for a list of restricted, unrestricted and banned species; amendments to current permit structures and fees; and the establishment of appropriate penalties for noncompliance with requirements. The commissioner shall submit a report by January 14, 2014 that includes the findings and recommendations of the task force, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature. The Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is authorized to introduce a bill related to the subject matter of the report to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature upon receipt of the report.
summary
This bill makes changes to Maine's wildlife laws for the purpose of strengthening wildlife populations. It adds rock doves to the list of wild birds that may be hunted, and it adds bear, moose and wild turkey to the list of wild animals a person is prohibited to feed. The bill adds language to clarify that the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's extension of the open season for bird hunting in certain sections of the State that had been closed by proclamation must conform to federal guidelines for migratory game bird species. It adds a provision regarding unlawful possession of ruffed grouse. The bill also directs the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to establish a task force to consider the effect of the importation and possession of wildlife and the issues of possession and exhibition of wildlife in the State.