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MaineLD 2054132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Clarify the Laws Regarding Moose Hunting Permits for Hunting Outfitters

Sponsored By: Richard Mason (Republican)

Signed by Governor

HUNTINGHUNTING - MOOSE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

New lodge permits for hunting outfitters

The law creates a new lodge permit just for licensed hunting outfitters. Each permit costs $1,500. To qualify, you must run a licensed sporting camp, offer food, lodging, and a licensed guide for at least 3 months a year, and have guided moose hunts in 3 of the last 5 years. Applicants must sign an affidavit that they meet these rules. Outfitters can receive no more than 2% of all moose permits statewide. Lodge permits also may not be more than 5% of permits for any season, sex, and district. The old outfitter subsection is repealed and replaced by these rules.

Rules to use and sell lodge permits

An outfitter may sell or transfer a lodge permit only once, and only with a package that includes food and lodging. The hunter must be guided by a licensed guide, and the outfitter must tell the Department who the hunter is. The hunter cannot resell the permit, and outfitters cannot trade permits with other outfitters. A lodge-permit holder may not sell a subpermittee or alternate subpermittee spot. A resident or nonresident who is eligible for a Maine hunting license by opening day may hunt with a lodge permit. If you get a lodge permit, you cannot apply in the public drawing again until the fourth calendar year after your last lodge permit. The Commissioner may allow a deferral under the existing deferral rules.

Easier lodge permit draw for outfitters

In the lodge-permit drawing, an outfitter that lists its camp’s district first gets preference for that district. The Department must update the drawing so applicants can choose season and district preferences, to reduce permit swapping.

Lodge permit money supports youth programs

If the annual auction brings in under $107,000, money from lodge permit sales must fund youth conservation education up to $107,000. Any remaining lodge-permit money goes to the Moose Research and Management Fund.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Richard Mason

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 154 • No: 96

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

RECEDE AND CONCUR

Yes: 24 • No: 10

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

RECONSIDER

Yes: 0 • No: 33

House vote • 4/9/2026

ADOPT HBH-1038 to CAH-976

Yes: 111 • No: 37

Senate vote • 4/8/2026

COMMIT

Yes: 19 • No: 16

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 727

    4/16/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    4/14/2026Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/14/2026House

  4. On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending FURTHER CONSIDERATION. Taken from the table by the President Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot moved the Senate INSIST on Bill COMMITTED to the Committee on INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE. On motion by Senator CURRY of Waldo the Senate RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-976) as Amended by House Amendment "B" (H-1038) thereto PREVAILED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 952 Yeas 24 - Nays 10 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Held at the Request of FARRIN of Somerset Motion by Senator BENNETT of Oxford to RECONSIDER whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-976) as Amended by House Amendment "B" (H-1038) FAILED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 954 Yeas 0 - Nays 33 - Excused 2 - Absent 0 Ordered sent down forthwith.

    4/14/2026Senate

  5. On motion of Speaker FECTEAU of Biddeford, the House RECEDED.On motion of Representative CLUCHEY of Bowdoinham, House Amendment "B" (H-1038) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-976) was READ and ADOPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 799(Yeas 111 - Nays 37 - Absent 2 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)Committee Amendment "A" (H-976) as Amended by House Amendment "B" (H-1038) thereto was ADOPTED. The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-976) as Amended by House Amendment "B" (H-1038) thereto.In NON-CONCURRENCE and sent for concurrence.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/9/2026House

  6. Reports READ Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot moved to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report. On motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending Motion by Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-976) Report. Roll Call Ordered Taken from the table by the President On motion by Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot Bill and accompanying papers COMMITTED to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife PREVAILED in NON-CONCURRENCE Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 914 Yeas 19 - Nays 16 - Excused 0 - Absent 0 Sent down for concurrence

    4/8/2026Senate

  7. Reports READ.On motion of Representative DILL of Old Town, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-976) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-976). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/6/2026House

  8. Received by the Clerk of the House on December 9, 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.

    12/9/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-976), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Amendment H-B to C-A (H-1038), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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