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LD 964

An Act To Change The Definitions Of "Sunrise" And "Sunset" In The Inland Fisheries And Wildlife Laws To Better Allow For Variations In Timing Across The State

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Abden Simmons

Maine bill allowing regional sunrise/sunset definitions in hunting/fishing laws to account for statewide daylight variations; died in committee April 2025.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#hunting #season #sunriseandsunset
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Bill Summary · LD 964

Legislative bill overview

LD 964 proposes to modify how Maine's inland fisheries and wildlife laws define "sunrise" and "sunset" for hunting and fishing regulations, allowing these times to vary across different regions of the state rather than using a single statewide standard. This would accommodate the natural variations in daylight hours that occur across Maine's geographic expanse, particularly the significant differences between the eastern and western portions of the state.

Why is this important

Maine's current uniform sunrise/sunset definitions can create enforcement inconsistencies and fairness concerns, as the actual time of sunrise varies by up to 30+ minutes between coastal and western areas. Better alignment between legal hunting/fishing times and actual daylight conditions could improve both hunter/angler compliance and wildlife management effectiveness, while reducing confusion about when activities are legally permitted.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation complexity: Establishing multiple time zones or regional definitions requires clear geographic boundaries and could complicate enforcement and public understanding compared to a single statewide standard
  • Regulatory burden: Updating signage, permits, and educational materials to reflect region-specific times increases administrative costs for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
  • Fairness questions: Differential timing across regions could be perceived as advantageous to eastern hunters/anglers who gain extra evening light, raising equity concerns among western residents

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

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