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An Act Regarding the Termination of the Authority To Issue a Permit for a Noise Suppression Device on a Firearm for Hunting
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  the validity of noise suppression device permits and the authority of the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to issue noise suppression device permits for use of a noise suppression device with a firearm when hunting may expire before the effective date of nonemergency legislation passed during the current session of the Legislature; and
Whereas,  immediately extending the validity of noise suppression device permits and the authority of the commissioner to continue issuing noise suppression device permits will ensure the uninterrupted and continued use of noise suppression devices with firearms when hunting; 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 §11161, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2015, c. 262, §1, is amended to read:
 
2. Permit.   In accordance with this subsection, the commissioner may issue a permit to a person allowing that person to use a noise suppression device with a firearm when hunting any wild animals or wild birds the person is licensed to hunt under this chapter and for which use of the firearm is allowed or for the purpose of killing a wild animal or wild turkey under section 12401 or 12402.
 
A. A person applying for a permit:
 
(1) Shall show proof of lawful possession of the noise suppression device; and
 
(2) May not have had a hunting license revoked as a result of a serious hunting violation.
 
B. A permit is valid until August 1, 2018, unless revoked under this section.
 
The commissioner may not issue a permit under this section after July 31, 2018.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 128th Legislature, Second Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.