Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6422, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1997, c. 574, §§2 and 3, is further amended to read:

4. Allowance for waivers. Notwithstanding subsections 1 and 2, the commissioner may waive all or part of the practical lobster fishing experience component or the program length for a person before that person enters the apprentice program if the person documents that:

A. Documents to the commissioner that the The person obtained practical lobster fishing experience as a sternman employed by the holder of a Class II or Class III license issued under section 6421;

B. Documents to the commissioner that the The person obtained practical lobster fishing experience as a holder of a student license issued under section 6421; or

E. Documents to the commissioner that the The person obtained practical lobster fishing experience as an apprentice in the Monhegan Lobster Conservation Area pursuant to section 6475.;

F. A medical reason prevented that person from renewing a lobster and crab fishing license so as to meet the requirement of section 6421, subsection 5, paragraph A;

G.__Service in the United States Armed Forces prevented that person from participating in the lobster fishery;

H.__That person held a lobster and crab fishing license for at least 2 consecutive years in the last 10 years; or

I.__At least 50% of that person's income came from harvesting lobsters in one of the previous 5 years.__Income documents submitted pursuant to this paragraph are confidential records for the purposes of Title 1, section 402, subsection 3, paragraph A.

5.__Waiver review by advisory council.__The Marine Resources Advisory Council, established under section 6024, shall review each waiver request and recommend the commissioner either approve or deny the request before the commissioner renders a decision under subsection 4.