Environment (Wildlife)

signed · Maine · House Apr 13, 2026

LD 2240: Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review Of Chapter 10: Significant Wildlife Habitat, A Late-Filed Major Substantive Rule Of The Department Of Inland Fisheries And Wildlife

This resolve authorizes the final adoption of a major substantive rule titled "Significant Wildlife Habitat" by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The rule was submitted to the legislature after the standard deadline, requiring this specific legislative action to validate its status under state law. By approving the measure, the legislature grants the agency permission to finalize regulations that likely govern the protection and management of critical wildlife areas in Maine.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentThe bill authorizes regulations for 'Significant Wildlife Habitat,' which directly advances the conservation and protection of natural resources and wildlife areas.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

signed · Maine · House Apr 3, 2026

LD 2171: Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review Of Portions Of Chapter 305: Natural Resources Protection Act - Permit By Rule Standards And Portions Of Chapter 335: Significant Wildlife Habitat, Major Substantive Rules Of The Department Of Environmental Protection

This bill authorizes the final adoption of specific rules from the Department of Environmental Protection that were previously provisionally adopted for legislative review. The rules in question cover permit-by-rule standards under the Natural Resources Protection Act and major substantive regulations related to significant wildlife habitat. By passing this resolve, the Legislature formally approves these regulatory changes without altering their original content. The measure takes effect immediately due to an emergency declaration, allowing the rules to be implemented without the standard 90-day delay.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill approves and finalizes environmental regulations including permit-by-rule standards and wildlife habitat protections under existing environmental laws.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Natural Disasters Wildlife

signed · Maine · House Apr 15, 2026

LD 2118: An Act To Eliminate The Natural Areas Program And Reassign Certain Responsibilities Under The Program To The Department Of Inland Fisheries And Wildlife And To Amend The Law Governing Administration Of The Department Of Inland Fisheries And Wildlife, Bureau Of Resource Management

This bill eliminates the Natural Areas Program within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and transfers its responsibilities to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The legislation reorganizes the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife by establishing a new Bureau of Resource Management with expanded duties to manage habitat conservation, wildlife sanctuaries, and land acquisition for natural areas. The bill also updates legal definitions for terms such as natural areas, rare plants, and endangered species within state statutes to align with the new administrative structure. These changes affect state agencies responsible for conservation and management of natural resources, particularly those overseeing land and wildlife protection programs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill transfers Natural Areas Program responsibilities to enhance habitat conservation, wildlife sanctuaries, and natural area land acquisition, strengthening environmental protection efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Wildlife

signed · Maine · House Mar 19, 2026

LD 2055: An Act To Amend Or Correct Certain Inland Fisheries And Wildlife Laws

This bill amends Maine's inland fisheries and wildlife laws primarily to strengthen regulations around fish imports and moose permits. It extends the waiting period for individuals who transfer a moose permit from three to four years before they can obtain a new permit. For fish imports, it requires importers to provide health certificates from certified professionals confirming no viral diseases (like viral hemorrhagic septicemia) and mandates a minimum $1,000 fine for violations. The bill also clarifies that local governments can receive limited permits to stock fish in specific ponds, with courts ordering violators to pay for cleanup costs. These changes directly affect fish importers, moose permit holders, and local governments managing water bodies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentStrengthens fisheries/wildlife regulations by preventing disease spread via import health certificates and extending moose permit waiting periods, protecting natural resources and ecosystem health.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

failed · Maine · House May 29, 2025

LD 1095: An Act To Restrict Removal Of Common Loons For Relocation In Maine From Bodies Of Water Of 500 Acres Or Less

This bill prohibits wildlife relocation programs from moving common loons from bodies of water that are 500 acres or less in Maine. It directly affects wildlife management programs operating in smaller lakes and ponds, preventing them from removing loons for relocation purposes. The key provision amends state law to explicitly ban such removals, applying only to water bodies of 500 acres or smaller. The law does not restrict relocation efforts from larger bodies of water.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts loon relocation in small water bodies to protect species habitat, aligning with wildlife conservation goals and preventing habitat disruption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

Track

signed · Maine · House Jun 9, 2025

LD 1724: Resolve, Authorizing The Baxter State Park Authority To Convey Certain Land In Cumberland County

This bill authorizes the Baxter State Park Authority to convey a 228-acre parcel known as the Austin Cary Lot in Harpswell (Cumberland County) to another entity. The conveyance requires the new owner to uphold perpetual deed restrictions: the land must be used for sustainable forestry, wildlife management, or related educational/scientific purposes, with compatible public recreation. Proceeds from the sale must be used exclusively to purchase similar land in Cumberland County for the same purposes. The bill addresses management challenges due to the parcel's remote location (over 220 miles from Baxter State Park headquarters) while maintaining the land's conservation purpose.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires sustainable forestry/wildlife management via perpetual deed restrictions, conserving land for ecological purposes and using proceeds to purchase similar conservation land.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Wildlife

signed · Maine · House May 25, 2025

LD 171: An Act To Enhance Protections Regarding Invasive Aquatic Plant Infestations In Inland Waters Of The State

LD 171 requires Maine's Commissioner of Environmental Protection and Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to jointly review current watercraft inspection protocols and surface use restrictions on inland waters infested with invasive aquatic plants. They must evaluate how these protocols could be strengthened and assess how restrictions are communicated to the public. The review must be completed by January 1, 2026, with a report including recommendations for potential legislative changes. This bill focuses on improving existing processes for preventing invasive plant spread, rather than implementing new restrictions immediately.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly mandates review to strengthen invasive plant protocols, directly enhancing environmental protection of inland waters per title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

signed · Maine · House May 29, 2025

LD 157: An Act To Amend Certain Inland Fisheries And Wildlife Laws

LD 157 creates a new "Fish and Wildlife Management Education Fund" by dedicating $1 from every hunting and trapping license fee to fund public education about wildlife management. It updates application fees for hunting permits (e.g., $15 for residents' one-chance applications, $55 for non-residents' 10-chance options) and modifies trapper education requirements, including tribal exemptions. The bill also updates restrictions on lead fishing tackle, prohibiting lead sinkers immediately and bare lead jigs starting September 1, 2017, with painted lead jigs banned by September 1, 2026. These changes directly affect hunters, trappers, and the public receiving educational materials funded by the new account.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits lead sinkers (reducing pollution) and funds wildlife education, advancing conservation and pollution control under environment topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

failed · Maine · House Jun 5, 2025

LD 1435: An Act To Allow A Municipality Or Locally Recognized Lake Association To Post Certain Information On The Department Of Inland Fisheries And Wildlife'S Information Kiosks Located At State Boat Launch Facilities

This bill requires Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to provide at least 8.5 by 11 inches of space on existing informational kiosks at state boat launch facilities for municipalities and locally recognized lake associations. These groups can post information about their water quality initiatives and efforts to prevent invasive aquatic species. The department must also share details about these organizations and their programs with the public. The policy applies to all state boat launch facilities with such kiosks.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables posting of water quality initiatives and invasive species prevention efforts, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation at watercraft facilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Wildlife

Track

failed · Maine · House Jun 25, 2025

LD 77: An Act To Stabilize And Sustainably Fund The Department Of Inland Fisheries And Wildlife, Fisheries And Hatcheries Division By Increasing The Inland Fishing License Fees And Establishing The Inland Fisheries Conservation And Enhancement Fund

This bill increases Maine fishing license fees by $7.00 for most licenses (e.g., resident fishing licenses rise from $25 to $32). It dedicates $6.00 of each increased fee to the new Inland Fisheries Conservation and Enhancement Fund and $1.00 to the Boat Launch Facilities Fund. The conservation fund must use 65% of its revenue for native freshwater fish species conservation/research and 35% for recreational fisheries management, with unspent funds carried forward annually. The bill directly affects all residents and nonresidents purchasing fishing licenses in Maine.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases fishing license fees to fund conservation programs via dedicated revenue stream, advancing fiscal management of state fisheries budget.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDedicates $6/fee to conservation fund for native fish species research and management, directly funding environmental protection efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Wildlife

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