An Act To Increase State Wildlife Revenues and Grow the Hunting and Fishing Industries
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10001, sub-§2-A is enacted to read:
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §10851, sub-§1, ¶C, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and amended by c. 655, Pt. B, §92 and affected by §422, is further amended to read:
(1) A senior resident lifetime fishing license. The fee for a senior resident lifetime fishing license is $50 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 65 years of age, $40 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, $30 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 67 years of age, $20 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 68 years of age and $10 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 69 years of age;
(2) A senior resident lifetime hunting license. The fee for a senior resident lifetime hunting license is $50 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 65 years of age, $40 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, $30 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 67 years of age, $20 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 68 years of age and $10 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 69 years of age;
(3) A senior resident lifetime archery hunting license. The fee for a senior resident lifetime archery hunting license is $50 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 65 years of age, $40 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, $30 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 67 years of age, $20 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 68 years of age and $10 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 69 years of age;
(3-A) A senior resident lifetime trapping license. The fee for a senior resident lifetime trapping license is $50 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 65 years of age, $40 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, $30 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 67 years of age, $20 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 68 years of age and $10 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 69 years of age;
(4) A senior resident combination of any 2 lifetime licenses. The fee for a senior resident combination of any 2 lifetime licenses is $80 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 65 years of age, $64 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, $48 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 67 years of age, $32 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 68 years of age and $16 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 69 years of age; and
(5) A senior resident combination of any 3 lifetime licenses. The fee for a senior resident combination of any 3 lifetime licenses is $110 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 65 years of age, $94 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 66 years of age, $78 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 67 years of age, $52 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 68 years of age and $26 for a person who purchases the license in the year in which that person turns 69 years of age; and
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §10851, sub-§1, ¶D, as amended by PL 2011, c. 253, §12, is further amended to read:
Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §10851, sub-§1, ¶E is enacted to read:
Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §10851, last ¶, as amended by PL 2009, c. 404, §1, is further amended to read:
A person must be a resident to purchase a senior resident lifetime license under subsection 1, paragraphs C and D. A person who is a nonresident may purchase a senior nonresident lifetime license under paragraph E. Once purchased, a lifetime license is valid for the life of the holder without regard to subsequent changes in the legal residence of the holder. The license entitles the holder to all fishing or hunting privileges extended to residents or nonresidents as applicable of that same age who hold the equivalent annual license and subjects the holder to all limitations and prerequisites on those fishing or hunting privileges that apply to residents or nonresidents of that same age who hold the equivalent annual license.
Sec. 6. 12 MRSA §10853, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2007, c. 651, §10, is further amended to read:
(1) One hundred percent; or
(2) Seventy percent or more as a result of honorable military service and who has served in a combat zone during any armed conflict in which participants were exposed to war risk hazards as defined in 42 United States Code, Section 1711 (b).
Each application must be accompanied by satisfactory evidence that the applicant meets the requirements of this subsection. An applicant for a license or permit under this section is subject to the provisions of this Part, including, but not limited to, a lottery or drawing system for issuing a particular license or permit. A permit or license issued under this subsection remains valid for the life of the permit or license holder, as long as the permit or license holder continues to satisfy the residency requirement in section 10001, subsection 53 and the permit or license is not revoked or suspended. For a resident of New Hampshire or Vermont to be eligible under this subsection, that resident's state must have a reciprocal agreement with this State.
Sec. 7. Report out legislation. The Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall develop a definition of "deer wintering area" and shall develop tax incentives for landowners to take steps to protect deer wintering areas. The committee may report out legislation on these issues to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.
Sec. 8. Report to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, referred to in this section as "the department," shall work with land trusts to develop methods of protecting deer wintering areas by conservation easement.
The department shall report its findings and recommendations concerning protection of deer wintering areas to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife no later than January 15, 2014.
summary
This bill:
1. Limits the taking of bucks to those with 3 or more antler points on one side for those hunters without antlerless deer permits;
2. Creates a lifetime combination license for a nonresident 65 years of age or older for a $500 fee;
3. Allows a 100% disabled veteran who is a resident of New Hampshire or Vermont to obtain free hunting, trapping and fishing licenses if that veteran's state has a reciprocal agreement with Maine;
4. Directs the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to define "deer wintering area" and to develop tax incentives for landowners to take steps to protect deer wintering areas; and
5. Directs the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to work with land trusts to develop ways to protect deer wintering areas by conservation easement.