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LD 1322

Resolve, To Establish A Pilot Program To Enhance Youth Hunting Participation

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Bridgeo and 7 co-sponsors

LD 1322 directs a Maine pilot program led by IFW/DECD to boost youth hunting participation, via outreach, training, and partnerships with clubs and families, with only minor costs.

Signed by Governor
#hunting #participationprogram #youthlicenses
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Bill Summary · LD 1322

Summary — LD 1322: Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Program To Enhance Youth Hunting Participation

Status: Signed by Governor (May 30, 2025)
Introduced: March 27, 2025
Final legislative action: Finally passed (May 27, 2025) after adoption of Committee Amendment “A” (H-202)
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Purpose / Intent

LD 1322 is a Resolve that directs state action to create a pilot program intended to increase youth participation in hunting. The stated aim is to encourage recruitment of young people into responsible hunting activities—likely through outreach, training, license/permit adjustments, or organized events—so as to support hunting tradition, outdoor education, and long‑term wildlife management participation.

Key provisions (based on available information)

The public materials supplied are limited to bill metadata and fiscal notes; the bill’s full text is not included here. What is known from committee and fiscal records:

  • The Resolve establishes a pilot program specifically focused on enhancing youth hunting participation.
  • The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) and the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) are the agencies identified in the fiscal notes as having responsibilities related to the pilot.
  • A committee amendment (Committee Amendment “A”, H-202) was adopted before final passage; the engrossed version with that amendment was the version signed into law.
  • As a Resolve, the bill likely directs the named agencies to design and implement the pilot and may require reporting back to the Legislature, though the exact deliverables and timelines are not available in the summary documents.

Who is affected

  • Youth (potential new or current young hunters) and their families.
  • Hunting organizations, instructors, clubs, mentorship programs, and sporting retailers that may partner in recruitment/outreach.
  • Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department of Economic and Community Development (administration, outreach, evaluation).
  • Indirectly, Maine’s wildlife management and outdoor recreation economy.

Fiscal impact

  • Fiscal notes dated 05/01/25 and 05/22/25 indicate a minor General Fund cost increase.
  • Any additional costs to IFW or DECD are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.

Legislative history & timeline

  • Referred to Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee (3/27/25).
  • Committee work session and recommendation: OTP‑AM (Out of Committee, As Amended).
  • Committee Amendment “A” (H‑202) adopted; Resolve engrossed and passed by both chambers on 5/22/25–5/27/25.
  • Signed by Governor on 5/30/25.

Next steps / Where to find the full text

For precise program structure, timelines, reporting requirements, eligibility rules, and any funding or license changes, consult the full text of LD 1322 (engrossed as amended) and the enacted resolve on the Maine Legislature’s website or contact the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

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

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