Sen. Hickman attends ceremonial signing of bill giving Indigenous peoples free access to Maine State parks

AUGUSTA — This week, the Governor ceremonially signed into law LD 14, “An Act to Provide Indigenous Peoples Free Access to State Parks,” a bill sponsored by Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop.

“After four years, I’m glad to celebrate the signing of this legislation, which was requested by a Winthrop constituent and member of the Mi’kmaq Nation,” said Sen. Hickman. “Indigenous peoples have lived here for generations. Their ancestors were the stewards of this land long before the first immigrants arrived, and they deserve to enjoy the unceded land that belongs to them without cost.”

LD 14 provides that a member of a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or band in Maine is not required to pay a fee for admission to any state-owned park, historic site, camping area or beach managed by the State. The bill also specifies that, to qualify for free admission, a person is required to present a qualifying tribal identification to the park attendant or other designee of the Director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

As non-emergency legislation, the law will go into effect on July 29, 2026.

Sen. Hickman represents District 14, which includes Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hallowell, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, Wayne, West Gardiner and Winthrop in Kennebec County.

Left to right: Sen. Mike Tipping, D-Orono; Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop; Gov. Janet Mills; Sen. Hickman constituent Elizabeth Peters; and Rep. Tavis Hasenfus, D-Readfield attend the ceremonial bill signing for LD 14 in the Cabinet Room on April 29.

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