Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

APPROVED                CHAPTER
                                                                 JUNE 20, 2023                231
                                                                BY GOVERNOR             PUBLIC LAW
                                     STATE OF MAINE
                                            _____
                           IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
                      TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-THREE
                                            _____
                                     H.P. 605 - L.D. 958
  An Act to Expand Protections to Maine's Loons from Lead Poisoning by
        Prohibiting the Sale and Use of Certain Painted Lead Jigs
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
    Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §12663-B, as enacted by PL 2013, c. 372, §2, is amended to read:
§12663-B. Unlawful sale of lead sinkers and, bare lead jigs and painted lead jigs
    1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the
following terms have the following meanings.
    A. "Bare lead jig" means an unpainted lead jig that contains lead and that:
        (1) Weighs one ounce or less; or
        (2) Measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length.
    B. "Lead sinker" means a device that contains lead that is designed to be attached to a
    fishing line and intended to sink the line and that:
        (1) Weighs one ounce or less; or
        (2) Measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length.
    "Lead sinker" does not include artificial lures, weighted line, weighted flies or jig
    heads.
    C. "Painted lead jig" means a painted lead jig that contains lead and that:
        (1) Weighs one ounce or less; or
        (2) Measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length.
    2. Sale of lead sinker or, bare lead jig or painted lead jig. This subsection governs
the sale of lead sinkers and, bare lead jigs and painted lead jigs.
    A. A person may not:
        (1) Sell a lead sinker; or
        (2) Beginning September 1, 2016, sell a bare lead jig.; or
        (3) Beginning September 1, 2024, sell a painted lead jig.
                                     Page 1 - 131LR1053(03)
   B. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of
   not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
   C. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having
   committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period
   commits a Class E crime.
   3. Offer lead sinker or, bare lead jig or painted lead jig for sale. This subsection
governs offering lead sinkers and, bare lead jigs and painted lead jigs for sale.
   A. A person may not:
       (1) Offer for sale a lead sinker; or
       (2) Beginning September 1, 2016, offer for sale a bare lead jig.; or
       (3) Beginning September 1, 2024, offer for sale a painted lead jig.
   B. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of
   not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
   C. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having
   committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period
   commits a Class E crime.
   Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §12664, as enacted by PL 2013, c. 372, §3, is amended to read:
§12664. Unlawful use of lead sinkers and, bare lead jigs and painted lead jigs
    1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the
following terms have the following meanings.
   A. "Bare lead jig" means an unpainted lead jig that contains lead and that:
       (1) Weighs one ounce or less; or
       (2) Measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length.
   B. "Lead sinker" means a device that contains lead that is designed to be attached to a
   fishing line and intended to sink the line and that:
       (1) Weighs one ounce or less; or
       (2) Measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length.
   "Lead sinker" does not include artificial lures, weighted line, weighted flies or jig
   heads.
   C. "Painted lead jig" means a painted lead jig that contains lead and that:
       (1) Weighs one ounce or less; or
       (2) Measures 2 1/2 inches or less in length.
    2. Unlawful use. This subsection governs the use of lead sinkers and, bare lead jigs
and painted lead jigs.
   A. A person may not:
       (1) Use a lead sinker; or
       (2) Beginning September 1, 2017, use a bare lead jig.; or
                                   Page 2 - 131LR1053(03)
    (3) Beginning September 1, 2026, use a painted lead jig.
B. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of
not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
C. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having
committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period
commits a Class E crime.
                              Page 3 - 131LR1053(03)
Statutes affected: 
Bill Text LD 958, HP 605: 12.12663, 12.12664
Bill Text ACTPUB , Chapter 231: 12.12663, 12.12664