Bill > LD379

This bill modifies Maine state law regarding emergency forest fire planning by creating new confidentiality provisions for specific types of sensitive information. Specifically, the bill establishes that emergency action plans containing personal contact information, details about accessing private property gates or roads, proprietary landowner information, and emergency response information gathered during forest fire preparedness activities are now considered confidential and exempt from public records disclosure requirements. While these details are typically considered public information, they will now be protected from general public access. The bill also includes a provision allowing the director of forest fire planning to share this confidential information with other state agencies when it is necessary for emergency response and planning purposes. This approach aims to protect private landowners' sensitive information while still maintaining the ability of state agencies to coordinate effectively during potential forest fire emergencies. The confidentiality provisions are being added to Title 12, section 8904 of the Maine Revised Statutes Annotated (MRSA).

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=379&snum=132