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MaineLD 261132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act Regarding the Authority of Municipalities to Regulate Timber Harvesting

Sponsored By: Stephan Bunker (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

FORESTRYFORESTRY - TIMBER HARVESTING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Mailed hearing notice and 90-day challenge for landowners

When a town adopts or changes a timber rule under home rule, it must mail a hearing notice by first-class mail at least 14 days before the hearing. It must mail all landowners, or only owners in or next to the affected zones when the rule is zone-specific. Town officers must file a certificate showing who was mailed notice and when. If you did not get required notice, you must file in Superior Court within 90 days after adoption. The court can void the rule only if you prove you were entitled to notice, no notice was sent, you lacked knowledge, and you were materially harmed.

New process and state sign-off for timber rules

Beginning January 1, 2026, towns must follow a set process to make or change timber rules. A licensed forester must help write the rule. The town must meet with department staff, hold a public hearing at least 45 days before a vote, and send the department the draft and hearing details at least 30 days before. The ordinance takes effect only after the bureau certifies the town followed these steps. The bureau also keeps a public list of local timber ordinances. Clerks must file copies by April 30, 2026 for existing rules, and for new ones at least 7 days before the hearing and within 30 days after adoption. A timber rule does not take effect unless it is properly adopted and filed with the bureau.

Towns align forestry terms and state covers notice costs

Municipalities keep the power to regulate timber harvesting, but local rules must use state forestry definitions. Ordinances adopted before September 1, 1990 must be updated by January 1, 2028 to match these terms. The State pays all direct costs for mailed landowner notices and other required public notice tied to timber rules. The State also pays direct costs to amend pre‑1990 ordinances to comply. Payments follow the schedule in Title 30‑A, section 5685(5).

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Stephan Bunker

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 274

    6/12/2025

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/9/2025Senate

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

    6/9/2025House

  4. Reports READ and ACCEPTED Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-295) READ. House Amendment "A" (H-500) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-295) READ and ADOPTED Committee Amendment "A" (H-295) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-500) thereto ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-295) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-500) thereto in concurrence.

    6/5/2025Senate

  5. Speaker laid before the HouseSubsequently, the Committee Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-295) was READ.On motion of Representative PLUECKER of Warren, House Amendment "A" (H-500) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-295) was READ and ADOPTED.Committee Amendment "A" (H-295) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-500) thereto was 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-295) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-500) thereto.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/4/2025House

  6. Unfinished Business

    6/3/2025House

  7. Unfinished Business

    6/2/2025House

  8. Unfinished Business

    5/29/2025House

  9. Unfinished Business

    5/28/2025House

  10. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYOn OBJECTION of Representative PLUECKER of Warren REMOVED.The Committee Report was READ.On motion of Representative PLUECKER of Warren, TABLED pending ACCEPTANCE of the Committee Report.Later today assigned.

    5/28/2025House

  11. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  12. Received by the Clerk of the House on January 23, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    1/23/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-295), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Amendment H-A to C-A (H-500), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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