Maine Legislative Overview – 2022 Session
(Adjourned April 20, 2022)
12 pet industry-related issues were proposed during the 2021-22 legislative session, 7 of which were designated as priority by the Pet Advocacy Network.
Final Disposition of Priority ISSUES:
| BILL # | SUMMARY | FINAL DISPOSITION |
| HB 54 | Endangered Species Listings: (LD 88) Amends Title 12 (Conservation), Part 13 (Inland Fisheries & Wildlife), Chapter 901 (Definitions) and Subpart 15 (Wildlife Importation and Possession Permits and Requirements), Section 12152 (Permit to possess wildlife in captivity) of ME Revised Statutes to define “species of special concern” and to reduce to one the number of public hearings required to make a change to the endangered species list or the threatened species list. | ENACTED |
| HB 69 | Animal Welfare Advisory Council Makeup: (LD 103) Amends Title 7 (Agriculture & Animals), Part 9 (Animal Welfare), Chapter 717 (Animal Welfare Act) of Maine Revised Statutes to: 1) Revise certain definitions; 2) Change the makeup of the Animal Welfare Advisory Council; and 3) amend existing rabies vaccination requirements. | ENACTED |
| HB 406 | Animal Rescue Standards: (LD 561) An Act to improve standards for animal rescue entities. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| SB 88 | Reptile/Amphibian Possession Restrictions: (LD 199) Amends Title 12 (Conservation), Part 13 (Inland Fisheries & Wildlife), Subpart 4 (Fish & Wildlife), Chapter 915 (Hunting: Seasons, Requirements and Restrictions), Subchapter 15 (Wildlife Importation and Possession Permits and Requirements) of Maine Revised Statutes concerning restrictions on possession of reptiles or amphibians from the wild for export, sale or commercial purposes. | ENACTED |
| SB 169 | Rabbit Sale Restrictions: (LD 381) Amends Title 7 (Agriculture & Animals), Chapter 731 (Mistreatment of animals), Section 3972 (Unlawful use of animals) of Maine Revised Statutes to change the age at which a rabbit may be sold, displayed, raffled, given away or offered for sale to the public. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| SB 599 | Commercial Feed Registration Fee/Animal Welfare Fund: (LD 1744) Amends Title 7 (Agriculture & Animals), Part 9 (Animal Welfare), Chapter 717 (Animal Welfare Act), Section 3906-B (Powers and Duties of Commissioner), Subsection 2 (Animal Welfare Fund) of Maine Revised Statutes Annotated to increase the amount of fees deposited in the Animal Welfare Fund (collected from registrations to distribute a commercial feed in the State) from 1/2 of the fees collected to 80% of the fees collected. | ENACTED |
| REG 2021-001 | Importation of Animals/Licensed Facility Requirements: Rulemaking amends Chapter 701 (Rules Governing Animal Welfare), Section 1 (General Provisions) and Section 2 (Specific Rules by Category of Activity) of ME Administrative Code by adding new sections to address certain loopholes discovered by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry during inspections of licensed facilities in regard to ownership, importation of animals and isolation for sickness. | ADOPTED |
View all Maine legislation tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2021-22 session.
View all local ordinances tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2021-22 session.
View all federal and state issues tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2021-22 session.