The following changes are being voted on by the 132nd Maine Legislature.

132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE

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

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §10206, sub-§12 is enacted to read:

12. Fishing license revenues. For every fishing license fee collected pursuant to 4 sections 11109, 11109-A and 12501, the department shall deposit $6.00 into the Inland Fisheries Conservation and Enhancement Fund established in section 10268 and $1 into the Boat Launch Facilities Fund established in section 10261.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §10268 is enacted to read: 8 §10268. Inland Fisheries Conservation and Enhancement Fund

1. Fund established. The Inland Fisheries Conservation and Enhancement Fund referred to in this section as "the fund," is established through the Office of the State Controller as a non-lapsing fund under the jurisdiction of the fisheries and hatcheries division within the department, referred to in this section as "the division." The department shall use money in the fund on an annual basis for the conservation and enhancement of inland freshwater fisheries resources in this State.

2. Fund sources. Six dollars from the sale of resident, nonresident, combination, and super pack fishing licenses must be deposited into the fund. The division may apply for and accept any appropriation, grant, gift or service made available from any public or private source consistent with the purpose of this section and shall deposit any such money into the fund. The fund must be held separate and apart from all other money, funds and accounts.

3. Uses of fund. The fund must be used according to this subsection.

• A. Sixty-five percent of the annual license revenue deposited into the fund must be allocated to the conservation, research, and management of freshwater fish species native to the State.

• B. Thirty-five percent of the annual license revenue deposited into the fund must be allocated to the enhancement and management of inland freshwater recreational fisheries in this State.

• C. Any amount in the fund that is not expended at the end of a fiscal year does not lapse but must be carried forward.

  Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §11109, sub-§3, ¶D, as repealed and replaced by PL 2015, c. 494, Pt. D, §2, is amended to read:

• D. A resident combination hunting and fishing license is $43 (which will increase to) $50.00 and permits hunting of all legal species, subject to the permit requirements in subchapter 3.

  Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §11109, sub-§3, ¶E, as repealed and replaced by PL 2015, c.494, Pt. D, §2, is amended to read:

• E. A resident combination archery hunting and fishing license is $43 (which will increase to) $50.00 and permits hunting of all legal species, subject to the permit requirements in subchapter 3.

  Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §11109, sub-§3, ¶J, as repealed and replaced by PL 2015, c. 494, Pt. D, §2, is amended to read:

• J. A nonresident combination hunting and fishing license is $150 (which will increase to) $157.00. Page 2 - 132LR0251(01)

  Sec. 6. 12 MRSA §11109, sub-§7, ¶B, as amended by PL 2015, c. 245, §3, is further amended to read:

• B. A resident combination archery hunting and fishing license is $43 (which will increase to) $50.00;

  Sec. 7. 12 MRSA §11109-A, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2023, c. 49, §2 and affected by §3, is further amended to read:

  5. Fee. The fee for a super pack license is $207 $214.00 for residents and $182 (which will increase to) $189.00 for a person holding 2 or more lifetime licenses.

  Sec. 8. 12 MRSA §12501, sub-§6, as amended by PL 2023, c. 228, §§11 and 12, is further amended to read:

  6. Schedule of fees. The fees for fishing licenses are as follows.

• A. A resident fishing license is $25 (which will increase to) $32.00.

• B. A resident combination hunting and fishing license is $43 (which will increase to) $50.00.

• C. A resident combination archery hunting and fishing license is $43 (which will increase to) $50.00.

• E. A 3-day fishing license for a resident or nonresident, valid for the 72-hour period specified on the license, is $23 (which will increase to) $30.00.

• F. A nonresident 7-day fishing license, valid for 7 days from date indicated on license, is $43 (which will increase to) $50.00.

• G. A nonresident 15-day fishing license, valid for 15 days from date indicated on license, is $47 (which will increase to) $54.00.

• H. A nonresident season fishing license for persons 16 years of age or older is $64 (which will increase to) $71.00.

• J. A one-day fishing license for a resident or nonresident, valid for the 24-hour period indicated on license, is $11 (which will increase to) $18.00.

• SUMMARY

  This bill establishes the Inland Fisheries Conservation and Enhancement Fund to be used by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for the conservation and enhancement of inland freshwater fisheries resources. The bill increases the fee for inland fishing licenses by $7.00 and dedicates $6.00 of the increase to the Inland Fisheries Conservation and Enhancement Fund and $1 of the increase to the Boat Launch Facilities Fund.