ME LD402

Transfers the Natural Areas Program from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, repealing existing program statutes and establishing new authority under IFW

Creates the Natural Areas Conservation Fund as a nonlapsing account administered by the IFW Commissioner to fund investigation, conservation, and management of native plants and natural areas

Expands the Bureau of Resource Management's responsibilities to include plants and natural areas alongside fish and wildlife, and adds invasive species management as a new bureau duty

Restructures bureau leadership from a single director to two directors (one for wildlife, one for fisheries and hatcheries), each with full authority over their respective divisions

Adds new statutory definitions for "natural area," "invasive species," endangered/threatened plant species, and "rare plant," while updating cross-references throughout Titles 12, 36, and 38