Rep. Steve Wood

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects 40% of the sales and use tax collected on snowmobiles to a new Snowmobile Trail Fund within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Of this 40%, 80% must fund trail maintenance and 20% must cover capital equipment purchases. It directly affects snowmobile buyers (through the tax) and the state agency managing Maine's trail system. The policy change ensures dedicated, ongoing funding for trail upkeep and equipment, separate from general state revenue.

Maddy summaryLD 1365 allows municipalities to locally license or approve "cannabis hospitality lounges" where adults 21+ can consume adult-use cannabis and cannabis products. These lounges, defined as public locations for 21+ patrons, operate without state cannabis licensing or oversight under this bill. Local governments (including towns in unorganized areas) can set their own rules, such as fees, while exempting lounges from state cannabis regulations. The bill amends existing law to permit consumption in these locally approved spaces, excluding them from the definition of "cannabis establishment." It does not change where consumption is allowed elsewhere (e.g., private property remains the only other legal option).

Maddy summaryLD 1343 defines the term "harvest" in Maine's marine and inland fisheries/wildlife laws to clarify that it includes gathering, hunting, fishing, or trapping for food, sport, management, or population control. The bill declares that Maine residents have the right to harvest wildlife through hunting, fishing, or trapping, as recognized in the state constitution. This right is subject to existing state laws, rules, and regulations enforced by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The bill does not create new hunting or fishing rights but formally defines the term "harvest" to align with current practices and constitutional protections.

Maddy summaryLD 957 requires Maine's public and private K-12 schools to integrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history into existing history and social studies curriculum. It mandates that AANHPI history be included in curriculum reviews alongside American history, Wabanaki studies, and Maine studies, focusing on regional/US history and contributions to civil rights, government, arts, and economic development. The Maine Department of Education must develop teaching resources, form an advisory group with AANHPI community representatives, and create guidance for equitable curriculum integration. Schools will conduct internal curriculum audits to ensure accurate representation, with a progress report due by April 2030. The law takes effect July 1, 2029.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryLD 1174 allows Maine gun shops to temporarily hold firearms for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and first responders under specific conditions. Gun shops must confirm ownership, keep the firearm separate from regular inventory, and contact the owner every six months. The agreement must name a family member or eligible person who can take the firearm if the owner dies during the hold. The bill provides liability protection for compliant gun shops and requires the Department of Public Safety to create a standard agreement form by January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryLD 1548 requires permits for introducing live fish or fish eggs into Maine's inland waters, aiming to prevent invasive species. It mandates health certifications from approved inspectors to ensure fish are free of diseases like viral hemorrhagic septicemia, and imposes fines of $1,000-$10,000 for violations. The bill increases license suspensions for illegal transport to 10 years and requires violators to cover cleanup costs for affected waters. Local governments may obtain limited permits to stock specific ponds under strict conditions, such as using in-state sources and ensuring public access. This directly affects anglers, bait dealers, commercial fish facilities, and municipalities managing inland waters.

Maddy summaryLD 866 modifies Maine's antlerless deer permit program to provide free permits to landowners who keep their property open for public hunting. Eligible landowners who apply and are selected through a special process will not be charged for these permits, and the law requires that at least 25% of antlerless deer permits in each wildlife management district be reserved for them. If a landowner is not selected in the special process but later obtains a permit through the regular lottery, they will also receive it at no cost. This policy directly affects landowners in Maine who manage hunting access on their property.

Maddy summaryLD 971 repeals a requirement that baitfish trappers in Maine must check their traps at least once every seven days in inland waters. This directly affects commercial and recreational fishers who use baitfish traps for harvesting bait. The key provision removed was the mandatory 7-day inspection rule, which had been part of Maine's fishing regulations. If enacted, this repeal would eliminate that specific obligation for trappers.

Maddy summaryLD 173 exempts certain small watercraft from Maine's boat registration requirements. Specifically, it removes registration obligations for canoes, kayaks, and rowboats equipped with motors rated under 100 horsepower. The bill also exempts racing motorboats displaying valid numbers from recognized associations and motorboats participating in permitted events. This change directly affects owners of these specific watercraft types who previously needed to register their vessels. The policy simplifies requirements for low-power recreational watercraft without altering broader registration rules.