APA Office
Division of Elections and Commissions
Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions
101 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
(207) 624-7650
FAX (207) 287-6545

Notices are published each Wednesday to alert the public regarding state agency rule-making. You may obtain a copy of any rule by notifying the agency contact person. You may also comment on the rule, and/or attend the public hearing. If no hearing is scheduled, you may request one -- the agency may then schedule a hearing, and must do so if 5 or more persons request it. If you are disabled or need special services to attend a hearing, please notify the agency contact person at least 7 days prior to it. Petitions: you can petition an agency to adopt, amend, or repeal any rule; the agency must provide you with petition forms, and must respond to your petition within 60 days. The agency must enter rule-making if the petition is signed by 150 or more registered voters, and may begin rule-making if there are fewer. You can also petition the Legislature to review a rule; the Executive Director of the Legislative Council (115 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333, phone 207/287-1615) will provide you with the necessary petition forms. The appropriate legislative committee will review a rule upon receipt of a petition from 100 or more registered voters, or from "...any person who may be directly, substantially and adversely affected by the application of a rule..." (Title 5 Section 11112). World-Wide Web: Copies of the weekly notices and the full texts of adopted rule chapters may be found on the World-Wide Web at: http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rcn/apa/.

AGENCY: 01-015 - Maine Milk Commission
RULE TITLE OR SUBJECT: Ch. 3, Schedule of Minimum Prices - Order #12-01
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2001-P259
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Maine Milk Commission will set minimum prices for Class I, II, III and Butterfat based on Federal Order #1 prices with prevailing premiums and other factors that may be presented.
THIS RULE WILL NOT HAVE A FISCAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 7 MRSA §2954 & 5 MRSA §8054
PUBLIC HEARING: 9:00 a.m., Monday, November 26, 2001, Room 319, Department of Agriculture, Deering Building, Hospital Street, Augusta, Maine 04333
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: November 26, 2001
NAME: Stanley K. Millay, Executive Director
ADDRESS: Maine Milk Commission, Deering Building-Station #28, Augusta, Maine 04333
TELEPHONE: (207) 287-3741

AGENCY:
10-144 Ch. 261 - Department of Human Services (Bureau of Health), jointly with
05-071 Ch. 126 - Department of Education
RULE TITLE OR SUBJECT: Immunization Requirements for School Children
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2001-P263
CONCISE SUMMARY The purpose for amending this rule, issued jointly by the Commissioner of Education and the Bureau of Health, Department of Human Services, is to add the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine to the required schedule and to change the standards for immunization exemptions in accordance with the governing statutes.
THIS RULE WILL NOT HAVE A FISCAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 20-A MRSA §6358
PUBLIC HEARING: November,30, 2001, 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Cross Office Building, Room 107, Augusta, Maine
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: December 11, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSONS:
Lisa Tuttle, Department of Human Services, Maine Immunization Program, 11 State House Station, 2 Bangor Street, Augusta, ME 04333. (207) 287-3746
DeEtte Hall, Department of Education, 23 State House Station, Cross Building, Augusta, ME 04333. (207) 624-6688

AGENCY: 10-144 - Department Of Human Services, Bureau of Health
RULE TITLE OR SUBJECT: Ch. 274, Immunization Information System (IIS) Rules
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2001-P264
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Immunization Information system is intended to be a repository for accurate and up to date immunization records for all persons born, residing, or receiving vaccine in the State of Maine. The primary purpose of the system is to collect data related to vaccine administration, and to promote effective and cost efficient prevention of vaccine preventable diseases. Administration of the system shall be performed by the Department's Immunization Program. The proposed Rule, authorized by 22 MRSA §1064, will apply to all Immunization Providers and other entities who have a contract or Memorandum of Agreement with the Department to participate in the vaccine distribution system, the Immunization Information System or to provide support services.
THIS RULE WILL NOT HAVE A FISCAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 22 MRSA §1064
PUBLIC HEARING: November 30, 2001, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Room 107, Cross Office Bldg., Augusta, ME
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: December 11, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Lisa Tuttle, Department of Human Services
AGENCY NAME: Maine Immunization Program
ADDRESS: 11 State House Station, 2 Bangor Street, Augusta, ME 04333
TELEPHONE: (207) 287-3746

AGENCY: 10-144 - Department Of Human Services, Bureau of Health
RULE TITLE OR SUBJECT: Ch. 264, Immunization Requirements for Health-Care Workers
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2001-P265
CONCISE SUMMARY: Many health-care workers are at risk for exposure to and possible transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases, because, of their contact with patients or infectious material from patients. The heath and safety of health-care workers and the patients they care for is an essential area of concern. This rule is issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services to implement the provisions of the statute governing immunization requirements for hospital/health facility personnel. It prescribes the dosage for required immunizations and defines responsibilities, exclusion periods, record keeping and reporting requirements for officials of hospitals and health facilities.
THIS RULE WILL NOT HAVE A FISCAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 22 MRSA §802
PUBLIC HEARING: November 30, 2001, 12:00 p.m. - 2: 00 p.m., Room 107, Cross Office Bldg., Augusta, ME
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: December 11, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Lisa Tuttle, Department of Human Services
AGENCY NAME: Maine Immunization Program
ADDRESS: 11 State House Station, 2 Bangor Street, Augusta, ME 04333
TELEPHONE: (207) 287-3746

AGENCY: 99-346 - Maine State Housing Authority
RULE TITLE ORSUBJECT: Ch. 16, Allocation of State Ceiling for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Rule
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2001-P267
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Allocation of State Ceiling for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Rule is being amended as follows: to modify the housing priorities to target very low income persons; to establish a priority for projects located in rural areas of the State of Maine (the "State"); to modify the formula for calculating the state housing credit under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); to eliminate the set-aside for projects financed by Rural Housing Services; to create a set-aside for projects located in rural areas of the State; to require applicants competing for set-asides to maximize points in the long-term affordability and low-income targeting scoring criteria; to remove the obligations of an applicant to provide physical plant amenities and services committed in the applicant's low income housing tax credit application from the extended low income housing commitment agreement and to require the applicant to execute a separate written agreement obligating the applicant to provide such physical plant amenities and services; to require applicants to pay the application fee for any application re-submitted or carried over from one credit year to the next credit year, to clarify the scoring criteria for physical plant amenities and related services and to exclude services paid by tenants from eligibility for points under this criteria; to eliminate the lowest intermediary costs scoring criteria; to make service funding commitments ineligible for points under the leveraged funds scoring criteria; to specify acceptable evidence of value of property donated or pledged to a project under the leveraged funds scoring criteria; to modify the affordability criteria to target very low income persons and to provide that projects applying for financing from Rural Housing Services will receive maximum points under this criteria for complying with the affordability requirements of the applicable Rural Housing Services program; to modify the market need criteria by establishing a very high need housing rank, updating the housing need ranks to reflect absolute need rather than relative need in the labor market areas, establishing separate housing need ranks for single-room occupancy projects, and identifying Native American tribal lands as very high need market areas; to specify the evidence required to qualify for points under the community revitalization scoring criteria; to revise the sponsor characteristics scoring criteria to award points to projects in which the general partner of the project owner has not been issued a Form 8823 pursuant to Section 42 of the Code in the past three years; to require an audit report on the schedule of projects costs instead of a cost certification upon project completion; to cap tax credit monitoring fees at $25,000 per project; to give applicants who receive an allocation of credit in the second half of the tax credit year six months from the date of carryover allocation to provide evidence that the applicant's basis in a project will exceed ten percent of the applicant's reasonably expected basis in the project at the end of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which the carryover allocation is made pursuant to Section 42 of the Code (the so-called "10% test"); to make tax-exempt funding available to projects financed under the Rural Housing Services 515 Program to enable them to access 4% automatic low-income housing tax credits; and to make updates, clarifications and grammatical changes
THIS RULE WILL NOT HAVE A FISCAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES.
STATUTORYAUTHORITY: 30-A MRSA §§ 4741(l) and 4741(14), Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
PUBLIC HEARING: November 27, 2001, 9:30 a.m., Maine State Housing Authority, 353 Water Street, Augusta, Maine 04330-4633. The meeting room is accessible to persons with physical disabilities and, upon sufficient notice, appropriate communication auxiliary aids and services will be provided for persons with disabilities.
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: December 7, 2001, 5:00 p.m.
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Jodie Stevens, Counsel
AGENCYNAME: Maine State Housing Authority
ADDRESS: 353 Water Street, Augusta, ME 04330-4633
TELEPHONE: (207) 626-4600 (voice)
TTY: (800) 452-4603

AGENCY: 90-590 - Maine Health Data Organization
RULE TITLE AND NUMBER: Ch. 10, Determination of Assessments
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2001-P268
CONCISE SUMMARY: This rule, as amended, identifies those health care providers, health insurance providers, carriers that provide only administrative services for a plan sponsor and third-party administrators required to pay annual assessments for the operational costs, which include staff salaries, administrative expenses, data system expenses, and consulting fees, of the Maine Health Data Organization. This rule also establishes the process for determining the individual assessments for each entity and the timetable for payment.
THIS RULE WILL NOT HAVE A FISCAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 22 MRSA §8704, sub-§4 and §8706, sub-§2
PUBLIC HEARING: November 29, 2001 - 9:OO a.m., Maine Health Data Organization Conference Room, Gardiner Annex - Northern Avenue, Gardiner, ME.
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: December 11, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON:
NAME: Alan M. Prysunka, Executive Director
ADDRESS: Maine Health Data Organization Gardiner Annex - Northern Avenue, 102 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0102
TELEPHONE: (207) 624-8655

AGENCY: 09-137 - Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

RULE TITLE OR SUBJECT: Ch. 4, Deer Hunting
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2001-P269
CONCISE SUMMARY: The commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has been given the statutory authority to establish a youth deer hunting day, by rule. The commissioner proposes to establish September 28, 2002 as the deer hunting day for youth between 10 years of age or older and under 16 years of age who possess a junior hunting license to hunt deer under the supervision of a parent, guardian or qualified adult, as specified in Title 12 MRSA §7101. On this day, one deer of either sex may be taken. This deer will be in addition to any other bag limits for other open deer hunting seasons. The parent or guardian accompanying the youth shall not possess a firearm.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §§ 7035, 7457

RULE TITLE OR SUBJECT: Ch. 7, Regulations for Wildlife in Captivity
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2001-P270
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife proposes a reorganization of Ch. 7 (Regulations for Wildlife in Captivity) in order to consolidate and clarify the requirements for possessing wildlife, either for exhibition, general possession, rehabilitation, importation, or scientific purposes as a result of statutory changes relating to the above permits. This proposal is intended to clarify the conditions and simplify the procedures pertaining to wildlife possession permits.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §§ 7035, 7235-C, 7237, 7242.

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 1.01, Open Water Fishing
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2001-P271
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing to adopt the following rules for open water fishing: 1) Durepo Lake and tributaries and Limestone Stream, Limestone: S-4 (Use or possession of live fish as bait is prohibited). Closed to the taking of live bait. Both of these waters were recently reclaimed by removing exotic species and this regulation is intended to prevent the reintroduction of these species from occurring.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §7035

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 1.01, Open Water Fishing
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2001-P272
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has been petitioned to adopt the following rules for open water fishing:
1) Open a section of the Androscoggin River to year-round fishing, under the following regulations: Androscoggin, River, Rumford. From the Rt. 108 bridge in Rumford downstream to the Veteran's Memorial Bridge in Rumford: Open to open water fishing from January 1 - December 31: Daily bag limit on trout: 2 fish; Minimum length limit on salmon, rainbow trout and brown trout: 12 inches, daily bag limit on bass: 1 fish between 12 and 15 inches; and
2) Amend the regulations on a section of the St. George River to year-round fishing by reducing the daily bag limit on salmon, trout and togue from 2 fish to 1 fish and removing the artificial lures only, catch and release section. The new regulation would read as follows: St. George River from St. George Lake, Liberty, downriver to the head of tide in Warren: Open to open water fishing from January 1 - December 31; total daily bag limit on salmon, trout and togue: 1 fish; S-21 (minimum length limit on trout: 12 inches).
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §7035

THESE RULES WILL NOT HAVE A FISCAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES.
PUBLIC HEARING: None scheduled -one may be requested.
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: December 7, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Andrea Erskine
AGENCY NAME: Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
ADDRESS: #41 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0041
TELEPHONE: (207) 287-5201

AGENCY: 15-215 - Department of Defense, Veterans, and Emergency Management
RULE TITLE OR SUBJECT: Ch. 1, Veterans Financial Assistance Rules
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2001-P273
CONCISE SUMMARY: Establish rules for administering a temporary financial and emergency assistance program for veterans in the state of Maine in accordance with Ch. 439, Public Law, Part QQ-2, Title 37-B MRSA §505, sub-§l-A.
THIS RULE WILL NOT HAVE A FISCAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 37-B MRSA §505, sub-§1-A
PUBLIC HEARING: November 26, 2001, 10:00 a.m., National Guard Amory, Room 212, Western Ave., Augusta, Maine
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: December 7, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Frank Soares, Director, Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services
AGENCY NAME: Department of Defense, Veterans, and Emergency Management
ADDRESS: 117 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333
TELEPHONE: (207) 626-4464

AGENCY: 02-331 - Department of Professional & Financial Regulation, Maine State Board of Funeral Service
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE:
Ch. 1, Definitions
Ch. 2, Meetings and Officers of the Board
Ch. 3, Educational Requirements
Ch. 4, Examination and Application for Licensure as a Practitioner of Funeral Service
Ch. 5, Practitioner Trainees
Ch. 6, Reciprocal Agreements
Ch. 7, Funeral Establishments
Ch. 8, Safety and Health Standards
Ch. 9, Complaints and Inspections
Ch. 10, General Rules / Scope of Practice
Ch. 11, Continuing Education Requirement
Ch. 12, Transportation of Human Remains
Ch. 13, Disinterment
Ch. 14, Temporary Storage
Ch. 15, Code of Ethics
Ch. 16, Prearranged Funerals and Burial Plans - Mortuary Trust Agreements
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2001-448 through 2001-463
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Board of Funeral Services has revised all its rules and has adopted a new rule entitled "Prearranged Funeral and Burial Plans - Mortuary Trust Agreements". This new chapter mandates the use of uniform Maine Mortuary Trust Agreement of either the "guaranteed price" or "credit for service" format, to obligate the new owner of a funeral home to notify the consumer if it acquires trusteeship of mortuary trust accounts and to limit the administrative costs to be charged against the account by the trustee funeral home.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 29, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON:
NAME: Elaine Thibodeau, Administrator
ADDRESS: Office of Licensing & Registration, State House Station #35, Augusta, ME 04333
PHONE NUMBER: (207) 624-8420

AGENCY: 65-407 - Public Utilities Commission
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 140, Utility Service Area and Infrastructure Maps
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2001-464
CONCISE SUMMARY: This Rule requires certain public utilities to develop, maintain, and file with the Commission maps of their service area and key infrastructure. This Rule further establishes standards for the content and format of those maps.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 29, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Mary Broad
AGENCY NAME: Public Utilities Commission
ADDRESS: 242 State Street, Station 18, Augusta, ME 04333-0018
TELEPHONE: (207) 287-1396

AGENCY: 13-188 - Department of Marine Resources
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 25.95(l)(B)(2)(a), Monhegan Island Lobster Conservation Area, Open Season
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2001-465
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Monhegan Island Lobster Conservation area 180 day 2001-2002 open lobster fishing season will begin December 1, 2001 and end May 29, 2002. This regulation conforms to 12 MRSA §6472.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 29, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Laurice U. Churchill
AGENCY NAME: Department of Marine Resources
ADDRESS: P.O. Box 8, West Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04575-0008
TELEPHONE: (207) 633-9684

AGENCY: 10-144 - Department of Human Services, Bureau of Medical Services
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 101, Maine Medical Assistance Manual: Ch. IV, Section 1, Restriction and Narcotic Referral Plan
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2001-466
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Restriction Plan limits selected Medicaid recipients who have a history of over-utilizing Medicaid benefits to receiving their primary medical care from one primary care provider. This rule clarifies requirements for the Restriction Plan and adds the Narcotic Prescriber Plan, where Medicaid members who have a history of over-utilizing narcotics may be enrolled in a plan where they will be limited to a single prescriber for all narcotic prescriptions.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 31, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Patricia Dushuttle, Comprehensive Health Planner
AGENCY NAME: Division of Medicaid Policy & Programs
ADDRESS: 11 State House Station, 35 Anthony Ave., Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
TELEPHONE: (207) 624-5527
FAX (207) 624-5524
TTY: 1 (800) 423-4331 or (207) 287-1828 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing)

AGENCY: 19-498 - Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Community Development
CHAPTER NUMIBER AND TITLE: Ch. 30, Program Statement for Administering the 2002 Maine Community Development Block Grant Program
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2001-469
CONCISE SUMMARY: This proposed rule will allow DECD to allocate the federal funds in accordance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations. It describes the design and method of distribution of funds of the Maine Community Development Block Grant Program.
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 3, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Michael D. Baran, Technical Assistance Program Manager
AGENCY NAMIE: Department of Economic & Community Development, Office of Community Development
ADDRESS: DECD/OCD, State House Station 59, 111 Sewall Street, Augusta, Maine 04333-0059
TELEPHONE: (207) 624-9816

AGENCY: 09-137 - Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
TYPE OF RULE: Amendment of Existing Rule
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 2.04, Rules Pertaining to Fishing Derbies
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2001-470
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has adopted a rule amending Ch. 2.04 as follows: Increases the cash value of prizes (excluding door prizes) that may be awarded at any single fishing derby to $25,000 (currently cannot exceed $20,000) when: a) the derby is of a statewide or regional nature, involves more than a single body of water; b) only involves waters not managed by the Department for coldwater fish species; or c) when the derby is consistent with and facilitates the achievement of the Department's fisheries management objectives for the species and inland water on which the event will be held. In addition, this amendment clarifies that no derby will be permitted if the issuance is inconsistent with the fisheries management objectives of the water(s) being affected and also clarifies that, unless otherwise provided, all participants in a derby must comply with the licensing requirements of 12 MRSA Ch. 701 to 721.
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 3, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Andrea Erskine, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street, 41 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04330-0041
TELEPHONE: (207) 287-5201

AGENCY: 10-144 - Department of Human Services, Bureau of Family Independence
RULE TITLE OR SUBJECT: Ch. 301, Food Stamp Manual - Means Test for TANF Funded Services of Categorically Eligible Households and Excess Medical Deduction Clarification
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2001-471
CONCISE SUMMARY: Some Food Stamp households are determined to be categorically eligible for the program. Households that are categorically eligible do not have to meet an asset test, or a gross or net income test. One group of categorically eligible households are those that have at least one child who is under eighteen (18), or eighteen (18) and in school full time, who is living with a parent or caretaker relative. These households receive a Resource Guide that is printed with TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) block grant money. Prior policy allowed these households to remain open if their net income results in the eligibility of zero benefits. In cases of one (1) or two (2) member households there is a minimum benefit amount of $10 (ten dollars). New federal regulations mandate that those households that are categorically eligible for Food Stamps, due to the receipt of a TANF funded service, must meet some type of income-based means test. This rule imposes a 100% (One hundred percent) of poverty net income test. This will result in the closure of those cases. No other cases should be affected. This rule also clarifies that in order for the expenses of over the counter drugs and other items to be allowable for the elderly and the disabled persons budget, the items must be approved or prescribed by a health care professional.
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 3, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Richard P. Morrow, Food Stamp Program Manager, Department of Human Services, Bureau of Family Independence, 11 State House Station, Whitten Road, Augusta, Maine 04333
TELEPHONE NUMBER: (207) 287-5093
TTY: (207) 287-6948 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing)

AGENCY: 10-144 - Department of Human Services, Bureau of Family Independence
RULE TITLE OR SUBJECT: Ch. 332, Medicaid Eligibility Manual -12 Month Continuous Coverage for Children Through Age 18
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2001-472
CONCISE SUMMARY: This rule says that once a child under age 19 is determined eligible for Maine Medicaid or Cub Care, their coverage continues for 12 months or until they reach age 19 regardless of any change in family income or circumstances. This replaces the current rule, which provides for 6 months of continuous coverage.
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 3, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Barbara Feltes, Medicaid Program Manager, Department of Human Services, Bureau of Family Independence, 11 State House Station, Whitten Road, Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
TELEPHONE NUMBER: (207) 287-5088
TTY: (207) 287-6948 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing)

AGENCY: 02-280 - Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Office of Licensing and Registration, Board of Accountancy
RULE TITLE OR SUBJECT:
Amendments to Ch. 1, Definitions
Amendments to Ch. 3, Examination Requirements
Amendments to Ch. 4, Experience Requirements
Amendments to Ch. 5, Permits to Practice, Individual
Amendments to Ch. 6, Permits to Practice, Firms
Amendments to Ch. 8, Rules of Professional Conduct
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2001-473 through 2001-478
CONCISE SUMMARY: The rules provide clarification for Public Accountant examinations and the experience requirements for Certified Public Accountants and Public Accountants to apply for a Certificate after October 1, 2001. The rules provide needed clarification regarding the licensing requirements for Certified Public Accountants and Public Accountants for residents, nonresidents, and applicants from another country. The rules also clarify the continuing education requirements as well as require, beginning with the three-year reporting period ending August 31, 2003, that all licensees must obtain at least eight hours of CPE in professional ethics each three-year reporting period. The rules outline the requirements for firms with unlicensed owners or agents. The rules also outline the peer review requirements for licensed firms as well as the qualifications for Approved Reviewers, the conduct of peer reviews, and the authority and function of Report Acceptance Bodies. The proposed rules also adopt a Code of Professional Conduct.
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 4, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON:
NAME: Cheryl Hersom, Board Administrator
ADDRESS: Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Office of Licensing and Registration, #35 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333
PHONE NUMBER: (207) 624-8605

AGENCY: 04-059 - Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 3, Maine State Aids To Navigation System
ADOPTED RULE NUM10ER: 2001-479
CONCISE SUMMARY: These revisions are being made in order to:
* more clearly define the size, color and reflective material to be used to identify bait traps and baitfish holding boxes;
* eliminate rules for maintenance agreements;
* make the use of the term "motorboat" consistent with its use in DIF&W rules;
* eliminate unnecessary warning about channel irregularities; and
* accurately describe the location of wording on small buoys.
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 4, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Timothy Thurston, Bureau of Parks and Lands, #22 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04330-0022
PHONE: (207) 582-5771

AGENCY: 09-137 - Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 1, Open Water and Ice Fishing Regulations
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2001-480
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has adopted rules pertaining to the open water and ice fishing seasons that were submitted as public petitions. These rules will be printed, along with all other regulations, in the 2002 Open Water Fishing Regulations Booklet and the 2001-2002 Ice Fishing Regulations which will be available from the Department as well as license agents.

TYPE OF RULE: Amendment of Existing Rule
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 4 - 4.06
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: 2001-481
CONCISE SUMMARY: The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has adopted a rule amending the annual wild turkey hunting season by adding wildlife Management District 18 to the open area (these are in addition to WMD's 12, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27); establishing a split season to occur as follows: Season A: April 29 - May 4, 2002 and May 20, 2002 - May 25, 2002 and Season B: May 6, 2002 - May 11, 2002 and May 13 - May 18; All hunters: May 27 - June 1 (all permit holders may hunt during the last week); this rule also increases the number of turkey hunting permits to 9,000 (4,500 in each season listed above) and established a preference for the permit draw.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 5, 2001
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Andrea Erskine, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street - 41 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04330-0041
E-MAIL: andrea.erskine@maine.gov.