Effort to defeat HR 2054 Fails

April 15, 2026

Not for the lack of trying, we were unable to defeat the subject Bill. We had 37 Representatives from rural areas helping and many in the Senate. After an aggressive lobbying campaign by the Department, which few have ever witnessed, in the final hours of the Special Session, the Department succeeded in passing the Bill. The economic impact was not even a consideration. The Bill has divided the industry and will lead to unintended consequences for the economy and small business.

Our thanks go out to all that helped with this staggering undertaking. The Coalition is considering the next steps.

Coalition of Sporting Camps and Lodges

“OPPOSE” L.D.-2054

L.D. 2054: "An Act to Clarify the Laws Regarding Permits for Moose Hunting Outfitters"

We oppose the Bill because:

37 State House Representatives from Washington, Aroostook, Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Hancock Counties and a few suburban communities voted against LD 2054.
Over 20 lodges and multiple economic development groups oppose it.
It replaces a section of law without a Public Hearing.
The Title is misleading and the Bill introduces new ambiguities and contradictions.
Prohibiting cooperation among Maine’s small businesses is bad public policy.
Lodges in less-moose dense areas are disadvantaged.
The proposal reduces rural economic benefits and permit value.
It will negatively impact the rural economy in a significant way.
It does not fix the incorrect allocation of non-resident permits in each WMD.
Prohibits resident lottery winners from swapping permits with lodge permits.
Leaves enshrined ambiguous language that the Bill was intended to clarify.
Benefits commercially operated unlicensed outpost camps while harming licensed facilities.

Historic white government building with a large dome surrounded by trees.

Aroostook and Washington County Representatives vote no

LD 2054 failed in the Senate on Wednesday April 8, 2026 after Senators objected to the many changes to the Bill without public input. It was sent to the House.

On Thursday April 9, 2026, 37 State House Representatives from Washington and Aroostook County and many rural communities voted against LD 2054 in a roll call vote. These rural communities will face the greatest negative economic impact from the Bill. Almost eighty percent of moose permits are in these communities. Also, a group of 65 businesses and community groups in Aroostook and a Washington County economic agency are opposed because of the negative economic impact and concern about small businesses being harmed.

The Bill is now on the Senate Calendar with a non-concurrent status.

Concern about lack of public Hearing

L.D. 2054 Opposition - March 18, 2026 - 2:22 PM - IFW Committee Meeting

"What I’m concerned about is the large amount of changes since the original bill, and really whether we’ve (IFW Committee) done enough in terms of the public hearing aspects that we’re expected to do.

I would indicate that on the floor of the Senate, I would oppose this, because there is a divided report. We can do that. I have a major concern about how this is going to impact the current industry, and whether we have done enough as a group (IFW Committee) to hear the public’s, all the public’s concerns as we went along making these changes. So those are my concerns for purposes of the record."

Senator Joseph Baldacci, Chair, Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

V. Paul Reynolds Voices opposition to L.D. 2054

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Opposition letters and information

Over 20 lodges and economic development groups oppose it.

Please scroll through the pages on the PDF below to read letters from Aroostook Partners, a Washington County economic development agency and a former IF&W Commissioner and State Representative.

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Rewrite of Statute Passed by the house

We Oppose the last minute Department Amendment below.

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Non-resident Permit aLLOCATION sTATUTE AND rEGULATIONS

A major concern from guides and lodges is caused by the Department's failure to allocate non-resident permits according to Statute and its own Regulations. The error may be inadvertent, but the Department should correct this immediately.

The proposed statute changes worsen the problem instead of solving it. It's like smashing your car's tinted windshield to compensate for a burned out headlight.

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