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LD 491

Resolve, Authorizing The Department Of Agriculture, Conservation And Forestry To Convey And Release The State'S Interest In Certain Real Property Located In The Town Of Richmond

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sally Cluchey and 1 co-sponsor

Authorizes BPL to quitclaim a 7-acre Richmond parcel to the Town of Richmond to correct an inadvertent State ownership; town bears closing costs; no state revenue; title cleared.

Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · LD 491

Summary — LD 491 (Resolve, Authorizing the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to Convey and Release the State's Interest in Certain Real Property Located in the Town of Richmond)

Main purpose

LD 491 authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to convey and release the State of Maine’s interest in a specific 7‑acre parcel located in the Town of Richmond. The conveyance is intended to correct an inadvertent assignment of ownership to the State that occurred during a prior deed process.

Key provisions

  • Authorizes the BPL Director to transfer the State’s interest in a particular 7‑acre parcel in Richmond by quitclaim deed to the Town of Richmond.
  • The transfer is a corrective action to resolve a deed discrepancy (an unintentional assignment of ownership to the State).
  • The conveyance is by quitclaim deed (i.e., the State conveys whatever interest it holds without warranty as to title).

Fiscal impact

  • The transfer will not generate revenue for the State.
  • The Town of Richmond is responsible for paying legal and closing costs associated with the conveyance.
  • Two fiscal notes (approved 04/01/2025 and 04/24/2025) confirm this is a land transfer with no state revenue impact; costs borne by the town.

Who is affected

  • Town of Richmond: will receive the quitclaimed parcel and assume related closing/legal costs, and will obtain clear title to the 7‑acre parcel.
  • Bureau of Parks and Lands / State of Maine: relinquishes any claimed interest in the parcel and eliminates any future State responsibilities or liabilities tied to that interest.
  • Local land records: the transfer corrects the official ownership record.

Procedural and timeline highlights

  • Introduced: February 6, 2025.
  • Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry — reported Out of Committee as OTP‑AM; Committee Amendment “A” (H‑66) was adopted.
  • Legislative action: Finally passed in concurrence (two-thirds vote required under Section 23 of Article IX of the Maine Constitution); passage dates in late April 2025.
  • Signed by the Governor: May 2, 2025 (the Resolve is enacted as signed).

Practical implications / notes

  • Because the conveyance is by quitclaim, the Town receives the State’s interest without warranty; the action primarily clears up an unintended title issue.
  • No ongoing fiscal obligations for the State are indicated; the transaction is administrative and corrective in nature.

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

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