An Act To Create Certain Recreational Opportunities on State-owned Land
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §1847, sub-§6 is enacted to read:
6. Firearms. Beginning January 1, 2020, the bureau may develop new, marked hiking trails within the unorganized territory on which loaded firearms are permitted and within 300 feet of which, during the months of October and November, firearms may be discharged. On all other marked hiking trails, including any marked hiking trails in an organized municipality or those in existence prior to January 1, 2020, loaded firearms are not permitted and may not be discharged within 300 feet of the trails. The bureau shall adopt rules implementing this subsection. In adopting rules pursuant to this subsection, the bureau shall take into consideration the history of hunting on the lands on which the trails are located and public safety. Rules adopted under this subsection are routine technical rules as described in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
SUMMARY
This bill provides that, beginning January 1, 2020, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands may develop new marked hiking trails within the unorganized territory on which loaded firearms are permitted and within 300 feet of which, during the months of October and November, firearms may be discharged.