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Bill

LD 379

An Act Regarding Confidential Information Gathered For Forest Fire Emergency Response And Planning

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Russell Black

Maine law now shields forest fire emergency response and planning data from public disclosure to protect operational security and infrastructure vulnerabilities.

Signed by Governor
#emergencyplanning #firecontrol #forestry
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Bill Summary · LD 379

Legislative bill overview

LD 379 creates a confidentiality exemption for information collected during forest fire emergency response and planning activities in Maine. The bill protects sensitive data gathered by state agencies and emergency responders from public disclosure under Maine's public records law.

Why is this important

Forest fire planning often requires sharing of property locations, infrastructure vulnerabilities, evacuation routes, and other strategic information that could compromise emergency operations if publicly disclosed. This bill allows agencies to withhold such sensitive information while still conducting necessary emergency preparedness work.

Potential points of contention

  • Transparency vs. Security: Creating confidentiality exemptions reduces public access to government records, which may limit oversight of emergency planning decisions and resource allocation
  • Scope Definition: The bill's language regarding what constitutes "information gathered for" emergency response could be interpreted broadly, potentially shielding routine administrative data from disclosure
  • Property Owner Privacy: Individuals may want to know if their property is identified in emergency plans, but confidentiality provisions could prevent them from accessing this information

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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