Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote on a motion to adopt an "ought to pass as amended" report for a bill that amends existing laws to recognize state Indian tribes.

Highlights:

• Establishes that the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians have the same rights, privileges, and immunities as other federally recognized Indian tribes (Secs. 3 & 7, Pgs. 3 & 14).

• Specifies that the State and the above tribes and nations recognize the authority of the United States federal government with regards to tribal relations and regulations (Sec. 7, Pg. 13).

• Prohibits the operation of personal watercraft on certain waters, and specifies that the prohibition does not apply to lands regulated by Maine Indian Tribes (Sec. 1, Pg. 2).

• Specifies the lands recognized as being owned and acquired by the above tribes and nations (Secs. 3 & 5, Pgs. 4-12).

• Establishes 150,000 acres of land each acquired by the Secretary of the Interior of the United States to be granted for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation (Sec. 5, Pgs. 7-12).

• Establishes a process for certifying the land and other natural resources owned by the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians (Sec. 6, Pgs. 12 & 13).

• Authorizes the above tribes and nations to have the power to sue and be sued in State courts (Sec. 7, Pg. 14).

• Establishes that the State recognizes the authority of the above tribes and nations to regulate fishing, hunting, trapping, and other handling of wildlife on their lands (Sec. 10, Pg. 15).

• Specifies that the State has authority solely for conservation purposes with regards to regulating hunting, fishing, trapping, and the taking of wildlife by members of the above tribes and nations while off tribal-owned land (Sec. 10, Pg. 15).

• Authorizes the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission to have jurisdiction over certain waterways and bodies of water partially encompassed by tribal-owned land (Sec. 10, Pg. 16).

• Exempts any funds related to the above tribes and nations from taxation (Sec. 12, Pg. 18).

• Exempts the above tribes and nations from certain sales and income taxes (Sec. 12, pg. 20).

• Establishes the right to exclusive jurisdiction for the above tribes and nations with regards to crime on their lands (Secs. 14-16, Pgs. 20-33).

• Requires law enforcement appointed by the above tribes and nations to have exclusive authority on their respective lands (Sec. 18, Pg. 33).

• Establishes eligibility for the above tribes and nations to participate in state programs (Sec. 19, Pg. 34).

• Authorizes the above tribes and nations to create respective tribal school committees (Sec. 21, Pg. 25).

• Establishes a process for the consultation of the above tribes and nations with regards to certain State policies (Sec. 24, Pgs. 37-39).

• Requires the Governor to meet annually with the heads of the above tribes and nations (Sec. 26, Pg. 39).

Full Bill Text