Maine House Bill LD491

Maine 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25
• Refer: 2/6/25
• Engrossed: 4/23/25
• Enrolled: 4/24/25
• Passed: 4/30/25

Caption

Resolve, Requiring the Director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands to Convey Certain Real Property in the Town of Richmond

Summary

LD 491 is a resolve directing the Director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands, within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, to convey the State’s interest in a specific parcel of real property in the Town of Richmond. The conveyance must be made by quitclaim deed, without covenant, to Wilhelmine Dennis Oakes or the estate of Wilhelmine Dennis Oakes. The bill identifies the property as an approximately 7-acre parcel with improvements, located as Lot 67 on Map R6 of the Town of Richmond tax assessor maps. The resolve also specifies that any legal or closing costs associated with the transfer may not be paid by the bureau. The measure is framed as an exception to general law, authorizing the transfer notwithstanding other provisions that might otherwise restrict disposition of state-owned land. The bill was enacted and approved by the Governor on May 2, 2025, becoming Chapter 24 of the Resolves of 2025.

Impact

This resolve changes the legal status of a specific state-owned parcel in Richmond by requiring the Bureau of Parks and Lands to transfer the State’s interest to a private party or estate. It operates as a legislative authorization for disposal of land that may otherwise be subject to statutory limits on conveyance of public lands, including land held for conservation or recreation purposes. The practical effect is to remove the State from ownership and responsibility for this parcel, while also preventing the bureau from using public funds to cover transaction costs.

Sentiment

There is no recorded committee transcript or vote history in the provided materials, so no direct debate or roll-call sentiment is available. The bill’s enactment and gubernatorial approval suggest it was noncontroversial or at least successfully advanced through the legislative process without documented opposition in the available record. Overall, the measure appears to have been treated as a targeted property transfer rather than a broader policy dispute.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the transfer of state land that may fall within categories ordinarily protected from reduction or substantial alteration in use, which is why the resolve includes explicit legislative authorization. Another possible issue is the decision to require the conveyance by quitclaim deed without covenant, which gives the recipient limited warranty protection and leaves risk allocation largely with the transferee. No specific objections, supporters, or competing positions are documented in the provided committee or voting materials.