Whereas, the Legislature recently enacted legislation authorizing the placement of rectangular escape vents on the top of traps but did not address circular vents; and

Whereas, this legislation should coincide with those other changes; 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Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6433, sub-§1, ¶B, as repealed and replaced by PL 1979, c. 353, §1, is amended to read:

B. Two circular escape vents not less than 2 1/4 inches (57.2 mm.) in diameter located next to the bottom edge or on the top if the escape vents are placed over the head of an end parlor section;

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

SUMMARY

This bill amends the laws relating to the location of escape vents on lobster traps to allow circular vents to be placed on the top of the trap over the head of an end parlor section.