Title 7, Title 7

It is unlawful for any dealer or retail store to sell milk for fluid consumption at less than the cost thereof to the dealer or retail store with the purpose or intent to injure competitors or destroy competition. In all proceedings brought to enforce this section, proof of consi…

"Cost of milk to a dealer" means the dealer's raw product cost, plus any shrinkage allowance permitted by the commission, to which shall be added the dealer's expenses directly and indirectly incurred in receiving, processing, packaging and delivering milk. Without limitation, th…

"Cost of milk to a retail store" means the price paid by a retail store to a dealer for fluid milk, to which shall be added the retail store's expenses directly and indirectly incurred in shipping, handling and selling fluid milk. Without limitation, these expenses shall include …

1. Investigatory powers. To aid the commission in determining if a dealer or retail store is selling fluid milk below cost, the commission may: A. Conduct investigations and hearings; [PL 2005, c. 382, Pt. F, §24 (NEW).] B. Subpoena and examine under oath persons possessing relev…

The commission may adopt all rules establishing or relating to hearing procedures, cost accounting and the collection of information as may be necessary to carry out this chapter.

1. Injunctive relief; damages and costs. Any person damaged or who is threatened with loss or injury by reason of a violation of section 2983 may bring a civil action in the Superior Court in the county where the person resides, to prevent, restrain or enjoin the violation or thr…

1. Civil penalties. Any dealer or retail store which violates section 2983 shall be subject to the following civil penalties, to be collected by the commission in a civil action: A. For the first violation, a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000; and [PL 1983, c. 484, §2 (NEW).] B.…

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1991, c. 376, §28 (NEW).] 1. Board. "Board" means the Maine Dairy Promotion Board. 2. Class I milk. "Class I milk" means: A. All fluid milk sold, distributed or d…

1. Board established as a public instrumentality. The Maine Dairy Promotion Board is established as a public body corporate and politic and a public instrumentality of the State. The exercise of powers conferred by this chapter is held to be the performance of essential governmen…

The board is created to promote the prosperity and welfare of this State and of the dairy industry of the State by fostering promotional, educational, advertising and research programs of the dairy industry. The board has the following powers and duties. The board: [PL 1991, c. 3…

A dealer as defined in section 2991 shall withhold from each Maine milk producer a fee of 10¢ per hundredweight on all milk produced and shall forward that payment to the board no later than the last day of the month following the month in which the milk was produced. [PL 1999, c…

The board may cooperate with similar organizations in other states and regions and may pay to the similar organizations that part of its funds as it determines is in the best interest of the dairy industry of the State.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1991, c. 376, §28 (NEW).] 1. Dealer. "Dealer" means any person who purchases or receives milk for sale as the consignee or agent of a producer or handles milk for…

1. Council established as a public instrumentality. The Maine Dairy and Nutrition Council is established as a public body corporate and politic and a public instrumentality of the State. The exercise of powers conferred by this chapter is held to be the performance of essential g…

In order that the optimal health of the citizens of the State may be achieved more fully, the Maine Dairy and Nutrition Council shall provide guidance in nutrition and nutrition education based on the concept of a balanced diet, including milk and its products in accordance with …

A dealer as defined in section 2997 shall pay a fee of 1 1/2¢ per hundredweight based on quantity of milk purchased from Maine producers or purchased from producers outside of the State and sold within the State and shall forward that payment to the council no later than the last…

The Legislature finds that among Maine's dairy farmers, prices received for milk differ substantially, and that these differences arise in part from a dual marketing system whereby approximately 1/2 the milk produced in Maine is marketed in Maine subject to the price control auth…

As used in this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following words have the following meanings. [PL 1983, c. 573, §4 (NEW).] 1. Blend price. "Blend price" means the price of milk per hundredweight computed as the sum of the Class I price multiplied by the percen…

1. Exemption; pool payments. An agricultural cooperative that is a producer-dealer under section 3152, subsection 10 is exempt from payment into and redistributions out of the Maine Milk Pool to the extent that the milk sold or otherwise distributed by the agricultural cooperativ…

1. Establishment. Within 180 days after September 23, 1983, the commissioner shall adopt rules establishing a fund to be known as the "Maine Milk Pool," to which all money collected from Maine dealers pursuant to subsection 2 must be credited. These funds must be redistributed to…

If the base price of milk falls below $16.94 per hundredweight in any month beginning September 1, 2003 and ending May 31, 2004, the administrator of the Maine Milk Pool shall distribute to Maine milk producers on a per hundredweight basis 40% for the months of January to May 200…

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Annual production" means the total quantity of milk produced in a 12-month period beginning June 1st and ending May 31st of the next calendar year…

On or before the 18th day of each month, the administrator of the Maine Milk Pool shall subtract the amount in the Maine Milk Pool, Other Special Revenue Funds account that is available for distribution for dairy stabilization support from the total amount to be distributed for t…

1. Authority of commissioner. The commissioner may enter into agreement with the Maine Milk Commission or other state agency for administering the provisions of this chapter, and may employ such staff and services as may be necessary. 2. Deductions. Prior to the redistribution of…

Any person who fails to furnish reports required by the commissioner pursuant to section 3154 in a timely fashion shall be subject to the following civil penalties, to be collected by the commissioner in a civil action: [PL 1983, c. 816, Pt. A, §1 (AMD).] 1. First violation. For …

1. Violations. No eligible marketing cooperative may: A. Collect or attempt to collect from a Maine market dealer, directly or indirectly, all or any part of an over-order premium with respect to the milk of a Maine market producer who has not designated that cooperative to recei…

Notwithstanding section 3155‑A, Title 4, section 152, subsection 9 and Title 5, section 10051, subsection 1, the commissioner may revoke the eligible status of a marketing cooperative upon a determination that it has through its operation evaded, impaired or undermined the purpos…

The commissioner shall annually conduct a study investigating the costs of transporting milk from producers' farms to dairy processing plants and shall examine existing and practicably achievable cost efficiencies by market areas as defined by the Maine Milk Commission pursuant t…

This chapter is known and may be cited as the "Animal Welfare Act."

The primary legislative purposes of this Act are to provide for the licensing of dogs and the humane and proper treatment of animals. To ensure the humane and proper treatment of animals, the commissioner shall develop, implement and administer a comprehensive program that uphold…

The commissioner has the powers and duties set forth in this section. [PL 1991, c. 779, §9 (NEW).] 1. Dog licensing laws. The commissioner shall carry out the dog licensing laws and furnish to municipalities all license blanks, stickers and tags. 2. Animal Welfare Fund. The commi…

The Animal Welfare Advisory Council, as established by Title 5, section 12004‑I, subsection 2‑C and referred to in this section as the "council," shall advise the commissioner on matters pertaining to animal welfare. [PL 2001, c. 399, §3 (RPR).] 1. Membership. The council consist…

As used in this Part, and in every law relating to or affecting animals, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1987, c. 383, §3 (NEW).] 1. Act. "Act" means the Animal Welfare Act. 1-A. Abandoned dog. 1-B. Abandoned animal. "A…

1. Attorney General and District Attorneys. Whenever a person has engaged in or is about to engage in an act or practice that constitutes a violation of this Part, a rule adopted pursuant to this Part or a condition of an order, license or permit approved or decision issued by th…

1. Forfeitures. Unless otherwise provided, any court in this State shall collect fines or forfeitures imposed for violations of this Part and pay the fine or forfeiture into the treasury of the municipality where the offense or violation was committed. The municipal clerk shall d…

1. Establishment. There is established the Companion Animal Sterilization Fund, an interest-bearing account and nonlapsing fund in the department, referred to in this section as "the fund." The fund receives money deposited by the Treasurer of State pursuant to Title 36, section …

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Administrator" means the entity that administers the program as provided in subsection 7. [PL 2023, c. 484, §3 (NEW).] B. "Fund" means the Compani…

It is unlawful for any dog, licensed or unlicensed, to be at large, except when used for hunting. The owner or keeper of any dog found at large is subject to the penalties provided in this chapter.

A person who abandons a wolf hybrid licensed under section 3922 commits a civil violation for which a fine not to exceed $1,000 may be adjudged. A person who abandons a wolf hybrid not licensed under section 3922 commits a civil violation for which a fine of $1,000 must be adjudg…

The owner or keeper of a wolf hybrid found at large commits a civil violation. An animal control officer or person acting in that capacity shall seize, impound or restrain a wolf hybrid found at large and proceed under this section. [PL 2011, c. 100, §6 (NEW).] 1. Owner of wolf h…

1. Ownership of dog unknown. Except as provided in subsection 2, an animal control officer or person acting in that capacity shall seize, impound or restrain a dog found in violation of section 3911 and deliver it to an animal shelter as provided for in section 3913, subsection 2…

1. Persons finding stray dogs. A person finding a stray dog and taking control of that dog shall take that dog to its owner if known or, if the owner is not known, to the animal shelter designated by the municipality in which the dog was found. 2. Dog shelters. 2-A. Animal shelte…

Animal shelters, kennels, breeding kennels, boarding kennels and pet shops engaged in buying or selling animals shall keep records of the buyer and seller in each transaction for a 2-year period commencing at the time of purchase or sale. The records must be open to inspection by…

Any person who violates this chapter commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not less than $50 nor more than $250 may be adjudged for a first violation and not less than $100 nor more than $500 for 2 or more violations.

1. Required for cats. Except as provided in subsection 4, an owner or keeper of a cat over 3 months of age shall have that cat vaccinated against rabies. The rabies vaccine must be administered by a licensed veterinarian, a licensed veterinary technician under the direct supervis…

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2025, c. 141, §5 (NEW).] 1. Direct supervision. "Direct supervision" has the same meaning as in Title 32, section 4853, subsection 4‑A. 2. Indirect supervision. "…