An Act to Amend Certain Fish and Wildlife Laws Related to Landowner Representation Regarding Abandoned Property
Sponsored By: James Dill (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New rules for off-road vehicles on private land
ATV riders on someone else’s land must have permission from the landowner, lessee, or their representative. On cropland, pasture, or orchards, that permission must be in writing. On state-approved ATV trails, permission is assumed unless the landowner or lessee limits use in writing. ATV, snowmobile, and airmobile operators on private land must stop and identify themselves when the landowner or representative asks. Unauthorized ATV use brings a $100–$500 civil fine per ride. Refusing to stop and identify is a Class E crime, and three or more ATV civil violations in five years is also a Class E crime.
Maintenance and official access with permission
People may enter land for maintenance or inspection when they have the landowner’s or representative’s permission. Local, state, or federal workers on official duty may also enter if they do not cause significant ground disturbance or sediment in water bodies. This keeps needed work moving while protecting land and water.
Work-use oversized ATVs need no registration
An oversized ATV used only for business on someone else’s land does not need registration if you have written permission from the landowner, lessee, or their representative. Oversized means wider than 65 inches or weighing more than 2,000 pounds by the maker’s specs. This exception does not cover recreational use.
Tree stands: permission, labels, and removal
A landowner or their representative can give oral or written permission to insert metal or ceramic objects into a tree or to put up or use a ladder or observation stand. Any allowed ladder or stand must have a 2-inch by 4-inch tag with the authorized person’s name and address. If a ladder or stand is left on your land without permission and the owner is unknown, you or your representative take ownership and may remove, destroy, sell, or keep it.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
James Dill
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Dean Cray
Republican • House
James Thorne
Republican • House
Richard Mason
Republican • House
Tiffany Roberts
Democratic • House
William Bridgeo
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 267
6/11/2025PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
6/5/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/4/2025HouseReport READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-440) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-440), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.
6/3/2025SenateCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-440).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/3/2025HouseReceived by the Clerk of the House on April 11, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
4/11/2025House
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (H-440), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
Related Bills
LD 1522, An Act to Establish the Maine Eviction Prevention Program
LD 1665, An Act to Provide Property Tax Relief to Maine Families
LD 1872, An Act to Reinvest in the Pension Funds of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System
LD 2067, An Act to Include Community Mental Health Workers Under the 1998 Special Plan for Retirement
LD 1611, An Act to Decrease the Retirement Contributions Required for Teachers and State Employees
LD 1294, An Act to Expand the Dependent Exemption Tax Credit