Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, the harvesting of seaweed and rockweed is not currently sufficiently regulated; and

Whereas, declines in certain fisheries will result in increased pressure on the seaweed resource; 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 c. 623, sub-c. IV, art. 2 is enacted to read:

Article 2

LIMITS ON FISHING

§6821. Rules; seaweed

1.__Rules. The commissioner shall by rule establish limits on the harvesting of seaweed from the low water mark to the 3-mile territorial sea line.__The rules may include, but are not limited to, limits on the amount, method and location of seaweed harvesting.__Rules adopted under this section are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II- A.

Sec. 2. Rulemaking; report. The Commissioner of Marine Resources shall adopt rules in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 6821 no later than 90 days following the effective date of this Act. The commissioner shall report to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources by January 15, 2000 on the status of the rules and the condition of the State's seaweed resource.

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