An Act To Promote the Northern Maine Economy and Support Maine's Sporting Camp Tradition

CONCEPT DRAFT SUMMARY

This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill proposes to provide economic support for certain sporting camps by directing the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to offer for sale a certain number of moose permits for the camps' use. In order to qualify, a sporting camp must be a facility licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services that offers American plan fully guided taxable moose hunting packages. The moose permits would be transferable and valid for one-time use during the current season or the next season on an American plan fully guided hunt within the eligible camp's zone or up to 2 contiguous zones.

The following criteria must be considered when the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife offers the moose permits for sale:

1. The total number of moose permits must be greater than the number issued in calendar year 2012;

2. All hunters must hold valid Maine hunting licenses;

3. The fee per permit is $1,500;

4. The number of permits offered for sale to the sporting camps must be capped at 250; and

5. The revenue received from the sale of the permits must be used to offset any loss from the moose permit auction by youth conservation education programs.