PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Allow the Electronic Registration of Big Game Animals
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  an electronic system is needed to increase the efficiency of registering big game animals killed by hunters; and
Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  12 MRSA §12301-A, sub-§4  is enacted to read:
 
4.  Electronic registration.   The commissioner shall adopt rules to establish and maintain an Internet-based system to allow a person to register a bear, deer, moose or wild turkey electronically. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §12302-A, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §228 and affected by §422, is amended to read:
 
1. Requirement.AExcept as provided in subsection 1-A, a person who kills a bear, deer, moose or wild turkey shall:
 
A.  Remain with that animal until it is registered, except as provided in section 12303-A;
 
B.  Present that animal for registration in that person's name at the first open registration station for that animal on the route taken by that person; and
 
C.  Leave the registration seal attached to the animal in accordance with section 12301-A until that animal is processed and packaged for consumption.
Sec. 3.  12 MRSA §12302-A, sub-§1-A  is enacted to read:
 
1-A.  Electronic registration.   A person who kills a bear, deer, moose or wild turkey may register the animal electronically in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to section 12301-A, subsection 4.
Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §12304-A, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §232 and affected by §422, is amended to read:
 
1. Prohibition. Except for animals registered electronically in accordance with section 12302-A, subsection 1-A, and except as provided in subsection 2, a person must present the following wild animals for registration in their entirety:
 
A.  Bear;
 
B.  Deer;
 
C.  Moose; or
 
D.  Wild turkey.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
SUMMARY
This bill authorizes the electronic registration of big game animals and requires the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to adopt rules to establish and maintain an online system to allow a person to register a moose, deer, bear or wild turkey electronically.