PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Ban the United Nations Agenda 21 in Maine
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  1 MRSA c. 22  is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 22
PROTECTION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS
§ 831. United Nations Agenda 21; international laws
 
1.  Definitions.     As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
 
A.  "Agenda 21" means the plan of action adopted by the United Nations in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and published in "Agenda 21: Earth Summit - The United Nations Programme of Action from Rio" (United Nations publication, ISBN 9789211005097, 1993).
 
B.  "Political subdivision" means any municipality, plantation, county, quasi-municipal corporation or special purpose district, including any public-private partnership, of the State.
 
C.  "Public-private partnership" means any partnership in which the State or a municipality, plantation, county, quasi-municipal corporation or special purpose district is a partner.
 
D.  "State" means the State and any office, department, agency, authority, commission, board, institution, hospital or other instrumentality of the State.
 
2.  Prohibition on restricting private property rights.     The State or any political subdivision may not adopt or implement policies that intentionally or recklessly infringe on or restrict private property rights without due process as may be required by policy recommendations originating in or traceable to Agenda 21 or any international law or ancillary plan of action that contravenes the United States Constitution or the Constitution of Maine.
 
3.  Prohibition on transactions with organizations assisting in implementation of Agenda 21 policies.     Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the State or any political subdivision may not enter into any agreement with, expend any sum of money for, receive funds or contract services from or give financial aid to any nongovernmental or intergovernmental organization accredited or enlisted by the United Nations to assist in the implementation of the United Nations policies related to Agenda 21.
 
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits the State or any political subdivision of the State from adopting or implementing policies originating in the United Nations Agenda 21 or other international laws that restrict private property rights without due process. Because the United Nations has accredited and enlisted numerous nongovernmental and intergovernmental organizations to assist in the implementation of its policies related to Agenda 21 around the world, the bill prohibits the State or any political subdivision from entering into agreements or financial arrangements with those organizations.