An Act To Create An Outfitter License For Owners And Operators Of Hunting, Fishing And Recreation Businesses Who Are Not Maine Guides

LD 552 creates an outfitter license for business owners who provide hunting, fishing, or recreation services without being registered as Maine guides. To obtain the license, applicants must pay a $135 fee and undergo a background check including criminal history records from Maine and the FBI, plus fingerprinting. The background check results are kept confidential and used only for licensing decisions by the state. The bill also clarifies the definition of "guide" to distinguish it from outfitters, specifying guides provide safety-critical services requiring specialized training.