B. Provide minor capital improvements on lands acquired by proceeds from the Public Access to Maine Waters Fund to provide public access or improve accessibility, as long as these improvements do not exceed 5% of the appraised value of the acquired property.

Sec. 4. 5 MRSA §6203-B is enacted to read:

§6203-B.__Stewardship account

The stewardship account receives funds in accordance with section 6203, subsection 3 and 6203-A, subsection 3.__Funds from the stewardship account may be distributed to the Maine State Parks and Recreational Facilities Development Fund, established in Title 12, section 1825, subsection 1, the Maine State Parks Fund, established in Title 12, section 1825, subsection 2 and the Public Boat Launch Access Fund established in Title 12, section 7652-A.

In addition, the board may recommend distribution__of funds to any state agency that manages, maintains or develops land owned by the State for the purpose of providing public recreational opportunities on that land. The board shall establish criteria to determine the proportional distribution of funds based on the magnitude of each agency's management responsibilities and costs.

Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §1825, sub-§1, as repealed and replaced by PL 1999, c. 127, Pt. A, §29, is amended to read:

1. Maine State Parks and Recreational Facilities Development Fund. The Maine State Parks and Recreational Facilities Development Fund is established within the bureau for the purpose of developing, maintaining and managing state parks and other recreational facilities on lands owned or leased by the bureau.

Income from legislative appropriation, gifts, grants, bequests , the stewardship account in accordance with Title 5, section 6203- B and other sources approved by the Legislature may be deposited into this fund. Any interest earned on money in the fund must also be credited to the fund. The Maine State Parks and Recreational Facilities Development Fund is nonlapsing and all funds are subject to allocation by the Legislature.

Sec. 6. 12 MRSA §1825, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 678, §13, is amended to read:

2. Maine State Parks Fund. The Maine State Parks Fund is established within the bureau. The fund receives money from the Maine Environmental Trust Fund in accordance with section 7759, subsection 3 and the stewardship account in accordance with Title 5, section 6203-B. The bureau shall use money in the fund for major and minor capital improvements, maintenance, repairs and operations at state parks and historic sites.

The Maine State Parks Fund is nonlapsing and all funds are subject to allocation by the Legislature.

Sec. 7. 12 MRSA §7652-A is enacted to read:

§7652-A.__Public Boat Launch Access Fund

The Public Boat Launch Access Fund is established within the department.__The fund receives money from the stewardship account in accordance with Title 5, section 6203-B.__The department may use the fund for major and minor capital improvements, maintenance and repairs to facilities managed by the department and providing public access to waters in the State.

SUMMARY

This bill requires that 20% of the proceeds from the sale of bonds for and public contributions to the Land for Maine's Future Fund and the Public Access to Maine Waters Fund must be transferred to a stewardship account. Money from the stewardship account is distributed to state agencies that manage, maintain and develop land for public recreation opportunities and is to be used for improving and maintaining state-owned land and facilities.