An Act To Exempt Members of the Penobscot Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the Aroostook Band of Micmacs from Special Training Requirements for Archery and Trapping
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, trapping animals and hunting animals with bows are a part of the cultural practices of Maine's Indian tribes and have been for uncounted generations; and
Whereas, requiring members of these tribes to undertake special archery or trapping training in order to obtain licenses to hunt or trap is an intrusion on these cultural practices; and
Whereas, these unnecessary requirements need to be removed immediately in order to recognize and protect these cultural practices; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §11106, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2007, c. 203, §2, is further amended to read:
When proof or evidence can not be otherwise provided, the applicant may substitute a signed affidavit that the applicant has previously held the required adult archery hunting license or has successfully completed the required archery hunter education course.
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §11106-A, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2007, c. 203, §4, is further amended to read:
When proof or evidence cannot be otherwise provided, the applicant may substitute a signed affidavit that the applicant has previously held the required adult crossbow and archery hunting license or has successfully completed the required crossbow and archery hunting education courses.
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §12201, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:
When proof or evidence can not otherwise be provided, the person may substitute a signed affidavit that that person has previously held the required adult trapping license or that that person has successfully completed the required trapper education course.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill exempts an enrolled member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians or the Aroostook Band of Micmacs from the archery, crossbow and trapping training requirements for obtaining an archery hunting license, a crossbow hunting license or a trapping license.