Whereas, currently there is a moratorium on the issue of new lobster and crab fishing licenses; and

Whereas, this moratorium has the effect of depriving persons who were licensed to fish for lobster and crabs, but who failed to obtain a lobster and crab fishing license in the prior year; and

Whereas, it is necessary that this inequity be corrected as soon as possible so that these persons may resume their trade; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6421-A, sub-§1, ķA, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 747, §1, is amended to read:

A. Possessed a Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license in the previous calendar year at any time since January 1, 1996;

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

Currently, there is a moratorium on the issuance of new Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license; with certain limited exceptions, only those persons who were licensed in the previous calendar year may be granted a new license.

This bill amends the moratorium to allow the Commissioner of Marine Resources to grant a Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license to a person who was licensed at any time since January 1, 1996.