summary
Introduced
03/05/2025
03/05/2025
In Committee
03/05/2025
03/05/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/21/2025
05/21/2025
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill provides that if the municipal officers or county commissioners have declared a town way discontinued by abandonment and have retained a public easement in the abandoned town way under this section for at least 15 years, the municipality, county commissioners or an abutter on the way may not gate, bar or otherwise obstruct the town way. The bill also provides that if the municipal officers or county commissioners have declared a town way discontinued by abandonment and have retained a public easement in the abandoned town way under this section for less than 15 years, the municipality, county commissioners or an abutter on the way, acting with the written permission of the municipal officers or county commissioners, may remove any gates, bars or other obstructions in the town way.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Maine state law regarding abandoned town ways (roads) by establishing new rules about obstructing these public easements. Specifically, if municipal officers or county commissioners have discontinued a town way through abandonment and retained a public easement for at least 15 years, no one (including the municipality, county commissioners, or adjacent landowners) may gate, bar, or obstruct that town way. For town ways where a public easement has been retained for less than 15 years, the municipality, county commissioners, or an adjacent landowner can remove obstructions, but only with written permission from the municipal officers or county commissioners. This legislation aims to ensure continued public access to town ways that have been legally abandoned but still maintain a public easement, providing clarity about when and how these roads can be blocked or kept open.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (10)
Jim White (R)*,
Roger Albert (R),
Steven Foster (R),
Jim Libby (R),
Rick Mason (R),
Karen Montell (D),
Wayne Parry (R),
D. Ray (D),
Shelley Rudnicki (R),
Jim Thorne (R),
Last Action
Ought Not to Pass Pursuant To Joint Rule 310, May 22, 2025 (on 05/22/2025)
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=928&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: Text | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN092801.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0593&item=1&snum=132 |
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