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LD 139

Resolve, Directing The Department Of Inland Fisheries And Wildlife To Establish A Pilot Program For The Electronic Tagging Of Deer

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Donna Bailey and 8 co-sponsors

IFW must study establishing an electronic tagging program for deer; no immediate pilot, with findings guiding whether and how a future program could be implemented.

Signed by Governor
#deer #electronictagging #hunting
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Bill Summary · LD 139

Summary — LD 139 (132nd Maine Legislature)

Title: Resolve, Directing the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to Establish a Pilot Program for the Electronic Tagging of Deer
(As enacted after amendment: Resolve, Directing the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to Study Establishing a Program for the Electronic Tagging of Deer)

Status: Enacted (Signed by Governor, May 23, 2025)
Introduced: January 8, 2025
Subject: Deer, electronic tagging, hunting

Purpose

The Resolve directs the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) to examine the use of electronic tags for deer. The original version sought to establish a pilot electronic-tagging program; the enacted version, as amended in committee, directs IFW to study the establishment of such a program.

Key provisions

  • Directs the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to conduct a study regarding electronic tagging of deer and the possible creation of a program or pilot program for electronic tagging.
  • The committee amendment (C “A” (S-52)) changed the Resolve from an immediate pilot-program directive to a study of establishing a program.
  • Specific tasks, timelines, reporting requirements or technical details (e.g., tag type, scope of pilot, or data-handling protocols) are set out in the text of the Resolve; the summary here reflects the enacted scope (study-directed) rather than the original pilot mandate.

Who is affected

  • Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: responsible for conducting the study and any subsequent program design.
  • Hunters and deer harvesters: potential future changes to tagging procedures if a program is recommended and later implemented.
  • Law enforcement (wildlife wardens): potential changes to enforcement and compliance procedures.
  • Vendors/technology providers: potential future demand for electronic tagging hardware/software if a program proceeds.
  • Wildlife management and research stakeholders: potential access to finer-grained harvest data and tracking information.

Fiscal impact

  • Fiscal notes (approved 03/03/25 and 05/14/25) estimate a minor General Fund cost increase. The Department is expected to absorb these costs within existing budgeted resources.

Legislative timeline / status

  • Referred to Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: Jan 8, 2025.
  • Committee work and amendment (OTP-AM recommended): Feb–May 2025.
  • Committee amendment adopted and bill engrossed: May 13, 2025.
  • Passed both chambers and sent to Governor: May 20–21, 2025.
  • Signed by Governor: May 23, 2025.

Notes / implications

  • Because the enacted Resolve directs a study rather than immediate implementation, IFW’s findings and any recommendations will determine whether and how an electronic-tagging pilot or program is later established. The study’s conclusions could address costs, technical standards, enforcement implications, data privacy, and benefits to wildlife management.

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

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