ME LD2118

Eliminates the Natural Areas Program from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and transfers its responsibilities for inventorying and conserving rare plants, natural communities, and ecosystems to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Restructures the Bureau of Resource Management to be administered by two directors (one for wildlife, one for fisheries and hatcheries) instead of a single director, with expanded responsibilities for plants and natural areas

Establishes the Natural Areas Conservation Fund as a nonlapsing account to fund investigation, conservation, and management of native plants and natural areas, with the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife authorized to make grants from the fund

Adds new statutory definitions for "invasive species," "natural area," and "rare plant," and assigns the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife authority to maintain endangered/threatened plant species lists and natural heritage databases

Requires the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to report to the Legislature by November 4, 2026 on the reassignment of duties from the Natural Areas Program