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Committee hears bill to grant Indigenous people free access to state parks
Summary
The Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry held a public hearing on LD 14, sponsored by Senator Hickman, a proposal to provide Indigenous peoples free access to Maine state parks; the sponsor said the bill grew from constituent requests and would formalize a practice some believed already existed.
The Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry heard public testimony on LD 14, a bill that would provide Indigenous peoples free access to state parks, committee chair Senator Rachel Talbot Ross said at the start of the hearing.
Senator Heather (Hickman) — identified in the hearing as the sponsor — told the committee the bill was filed after a constituent, a member of the Wabanaki people, contacted her because they believed free access was already state policy. "The Wabanaki people whose land we serve on deserve to be able to enjoy the unceded land that belongs to them for no cost," Hickman said, summarizing the bill's intent and the constituent's motivation.
Hickman said the proposal is meant to formalize access that some Indigenous people assumed already existed and described the bill as "fair and necessary." She noted the measure had been before the committee in a prior session and that it previously carried a negative fiscal note; the sponsor did not state the amount of that fiscal note during the hearing.
Senator Rachel Talbot Ross opened the hearing and explained procedures for testimony, including that members of the public could testify in support, opposition or neither, and that the committee would accept written testimony. Committee staff Molly Sweet and Karen Naidoo were present to assist with the proceedings. Several House members and the House chair introduced themselves at the start of the session before the LD 14 testimony was taken.
The sponsor said LD 14 covers municipalities in Southern Kennebec County, noting the bill represents areas that include Winthrop and several surrounding towns; she said the bill's roots trace to a constituent from the Wabanaki community. No vote was taken during the public hearing portion recorded in the transcript.
The hearing transcript shows the committee taking testimony in the printed order on the agenda and that the chair emphasized the hearing would remain open to give all Zoom registrants the opportunity to speak. The bill will remain under committee consideration; no formal action or vote on LD 14 was recorded in the provided segment of the hearing.
The hearing continued to accept testimony on LD 14 and other scheduled bills following the sponsor's remarks.
