Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases shoreline zoning enforcement policies and regulations in Maine.

Highlights:

• Increases Maine shoreline zoning enforcement policies and regulations (Sec. 1-2).

• Authorizes a municipality to restrict the issuance of or suspend or revoke any municipally issued permit to the owner of real estate who violates a shoreland zoning ordinance (Sec. 1-2).

• Authorizes the municipality to claim a lien against the real estate for all costs incurred by the city and any unpaid penalties related to the ordinance violation (Sec. 1-2).

• Authorizes the Maine Land Use Planning Commission to take the same actions for violations of standards, rules, permits, and orders adopted or issued by the commission related to development in the shoreland zone (Sec. 1-2).

• Limits development and clearing along the shores of Maine lakes (Sec. 1-2).

• Authorizes monetary fines to be established for developers who violate shoreland zoning laws by cutting healthy trees along the water's edge, removing shrubby vegetation that stabilizes shoreline and helps keep the water clean, or by adding jetties, stairs, boat launches, sand, and other features without the necessary permits (Sec. 1-2).

• Authorizes state towns and Land Use Planning Commissions (LUPC) the power to suspend or revoke violator’s permits and file civil action to recover fees or penalties (Sec. 1-2).

• Specifies that this bill declares an emergency and the provisions shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 1-2).

Full Bill Text