Bill
LD 439
LD 439 would allow Maine youth to hunt on Sundays to broaden access and preserve sporting heritage, but the bill died; IFW would face only minor, absorbable costs.
LD 439 — An Act To Preserve Maine's Sporting Heritage And Enhance Sporting Opportunities For Maine's Youth By Allowing Maine's Youth To Hunt On Sunday
Overview
- Objective: Propose allowing Maine youth to hunt on Sundays as a means to preserve sporting heritage and expand hunting opportunities for young people.
- Status: Dead. Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) after a series of committee and floor actions.
- Introduced: February 4, 2025
- Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Purpose and Intent
- The bill seeks to extend hunting opportunities for youths by permitting Sunday hunting for Maine youth. It is framed as a measure to sustain Maine’s sporting heritage and broaden access for young hunters.
Key Provisions (as described in available documents)
- The bill would authorize or create provisions allowing Maine youths to hunt on Sundays.
- Specific age limits, supervision requirements, license conditions, species applicable, and any Sunday-specific restrictions would be defined in the bill text (not provided in the summary). The fiscal note indicates the changes would affect revenue and costs for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW).
Fiscal Impact
- Fiscal Note (LR1028(02) for LD 439): Approved April 22, 2025.
- General Fund impact: Minor revenue increase.
- General Fund impact: Minor cost increase for IFW.
- Administrative note: The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife states that any additional costs would be minor and absorbable within existing resources.
Who Would Be Affected
- Maine youth eligible to hunt (as defined by the bill’s age and supervision requirements).
- The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, which would implement the new rules and oversee licensing, enforcement, and program administration.
- Related stakeholders in Maine’s hunting community (e.g., families, youth programs, hunting groups), depending on specifics of implementation and any licensing or supervisory requirements.
Procedural and Timeline Highlights
- February 4, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; printed.
- March 12, 2025: Work session; divided report.
- March 21, 2025: Carried over to the next session (Special or regular) per Joint Order SP 519.
- May 28, 2025: Reported Out as ONTP/OTP-AM (On a “No Tell”/Amendment route).
- May 29, 2025: Roll Call No. 244 (Yeas 89 – Nays 56 – Absent 6 – Excused 0); sent for concurrence.
- June 2, 2025: Reports READ; Majority Ought Not To Pass Report accepted in concurrence; placed in Legislative Files (DEAD).
Notes
- The bill’s final disposition was “DEAD,” indicating it did not advance to enactment.
- The fiscal note indicates only minor fiscal effects on the General Fund, with costs and revenue adjustments manageable within current IFW budgets.
Context and Considerations
- This proposal sits within ongoing debates over Sunday hunting and youth engagement in hunting. While the bill itself did not proceed, it reflects policy interest in expanding opportunities for youth hunters in Maine.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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