2019-2020 Legislative Overview - Maine

2019-2020 SESSION (ADJOURNED ON 3/17/2020)

BILL #

SUMMARY

FINAL DISPOSITION

HB 61

(LD 64) amends Title 17 (Crimes), Chapter 42 (Animal Welfare), Subchapter 3 (Cruelty to Animals), Section 1031 3B. (Penalties) of Maine Revised Statutes to make post-conviction possession of animals a criminal offense.

ENACTED

HB 1115

(LD 1532) Amends Title 38 (Waters & Navigation), Chapter 16 (Sale of Consumer Products Affecting the Environment) of Maine Revised Statutes by adding a new Section 1611 to prohibit a retail establishment from using single-use carry-out bags to bag products at the point of sale or otherwise make single-use carry-out bags available to customers, with exemptions for certain types and uses of plastic and paper bags.

ENACTED

SB 95

(LD 355) Amends Title 12 (Conservation), Part 13 (Inland Fisheries & Wildlife), Subchapter 15 (Wildlife Importation & Possession Permits and Requirements), Section 12151 (Prohibition) of Maine Revised Statutes add an exemption to the prohibition on keeping wildlife in captivity.

DIED IN COMMITTEE

SB 309

(LD 1049) Amends Title 7 (Agriculture & Animals), Part 9 (Animal Welfare), Chapter 745 (Sale of Dogs and Cats), Section 4155 (Rights of the Purchaser) of Maine Revised Statutes Annotated to provide alternative remedies for a purchaser of a dog that has a health problem causing diminished life expectancy.

ENACTED

SB 407

(LD 1311) Amends Part 9 (Animal Welfare), Chapter 745 (Sale of Dogs and Cats) of Maine Revised Statutes by repealing and replacing section 4153 to prohibit a pet shop from selling dogs and cats.

BECAME LAW W/O GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE

REG 2020-001

Amends Maine Agency Rule 09-137 (Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife), Chapter 7 (Rules for Importation, Possession, Propagation, Rehabilitation, and Exhibition of Wildlife) to govern trade in wildlife species by providing classification and permitting for restricted species of wildlife.

ADOPTED