AUGUSTA, Maine - Members of Maine's Amish community are a vote closer to being able to wear a more subdued safety color during hunting season.
Instead of Maine's required bright, fluorescent hunter orange, Amish farmers would be allowed to wear a shade of red that conforms to their religious beliefs.
Sen. Paul Davis, a Sangerville Republican, said the revised version of LD 1430 would help Amish families.
"They wear very plain clothing and the fluorescent orange that they're required to wear is an offense to them," Davis said. "Therefore, in many cases, I believe they simply don't hunt. They don't pursue the activity that they want to. This bill would allow them to do this only on their own land."
Opponents argued that their positions had nothing to do with religion, but instead reflected a desire to have consistent laws promoting hunting safety.
The Senate reversed a majority ought-not-pass recommendation on the bill returned by a legislative policy committee and passed the amended measure, 23-12. The bill faces additional votes in both houses.