An Act To Permit Tribal Members To Fish at Any Time for Sustenance

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §12451-A  is enacted to read:

§ 12451-A.  Tribal member fishing rights

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Part, an enrolled member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians or the Aroostook Band of Micmacs may fish for, take and possess any fish at any time for sustenance use. For purposes of this section, "sustenance use" means all noncommercial consumption or noncommercial use by the enrolled member or the enrolled member's immediate family or within the enrolled member's household.

summary

This bill provides that, notwithstanding other laws governing inland fisheries and wildlife, an enrolled member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians or the Aroostook Band of Micmacs may fish for, take and possess any fish at any time for sustenance use. "Sustenance use" includes all noncommercial consumption or noncommercial use by the enrolled member or the enrolled member's immediate family or within the enrolled member's household.