Bill
Bill > LD183
summary
Introduced
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
In Committee
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
04/01/2025
04/01/2025
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill limits publicly owned land in the State to no more than 50% of the land area in any county. The bill also allows the State, a county or a municipality to exceed the limits with the approval of 2/3 of each House of the Legislature. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is required to report biannually beginning April 15, 2026 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over public lands matters on the percentage of federal, state, county and municipal property ownership statewide and by county.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new legal limitation on public land ownership in Maine, capping publicly owned land at 50% of any county's total land area. The term "publicly owned land" is broadly defined to include property rights held by federal, state, county, and municipal entities, such as easements, development rights, and trust rights. The bill provides a mechanism for exceeding this 50% limit, which requires approval by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the state Legislature. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry begin producing biannual reports starting April 15, 2026, which will detail the percentage of publicly owned land both statewide and on a county-by-county basis. This legislation appears designed to provide greater transparency and potentially limit government land acquisition, ensuring that private land ownership remains a significant proportion of each county's total land area.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (7)
Billy Bob Faulkingham (R)*,
Mathew McIntyre (R),
Arthur Mingo (R),
Marianne Moore (R),
Tracy Quint (R),
Tiffany Strout (R),
William Tuell (R),
Last Action
Ought Not to Pass Pursuant To Joint Rule 310, Apr 1, 2025 (on 04/01/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=183&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0116&item=1&snum=132 |
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