‘Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6312 is enacted to read:
§ 6312. Saltwater recreational fishing registry
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Person with a disability" means a person who is physically or mentally incapacitated as determined by the commissioner.
B. "Disabled veteran" means a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States who has a service-connected disability as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
C. "Registry" means the registry for persons engaged in saltwater recreational fishing established under subsection 2.
2. Saltwater recreational fishing registry established. The commissioner shall administer and maintain a registry of persons who engage in saltwater recreational fishing. The commissioner may designate by rule the methods of fishing or the saltwater areas for which registration is required under this section. The registry must contain the name, address, date of birth and telephone number for each person registered.
3. Registry procedures. A person may register pursuant to subsection 2 through an agent under section 12501 or a publicly accessible online licensing and registration system operated by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The commissioner and the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall work together to allow a person to register on the registry through the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s online licensing and registration system while that data is stored and maintained by the Department of Marine Resources. A person purchasing a fishing license under section 12501 must be asked if the person intends to fish in salt water for that calendar year. If the person answers in the affirmative, the person must be informed of the requirements under this section.
4. Registry required. A person may not engage in saltwater recreational fishing or land or possess fish taken from salt water without registering pursuant to this section except:
A. A person under 16 years of age or a person 70 years of age or older;
B. A passenger on board a vessel captained by an individual who possesses a current guide license for tidewater fishing issued under section 12853 or a customer on board a vessel licensed to carry passengers for hire for recreational fishing;
C. A member of the United States Armed Forces on active military duty while on leave or furlough;
D. A person with a disability;
E. A disabled veteran; and
F. A person who is registered or licensed to engage in saltwater recreational fishing in another jurisdiction if the registration or licensing requirements of that jurisdiction meet the requirements of 50 Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 600.1415 and 600.1416 (2009).
5. Fees. A fee for registering on the registry may not be established or levied. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person registering through an agent authorized under section 12501 or an online licensing and registration system may not be charged an agent fee or a fee for using the online licensing and registration system.
6. Enforcement. The following provisions apply to the enforcement of the registry.
A. Until September 30, 2011, a person who violates subsection 4 may be issued a warning and must be informed about the registry requirements. A person who violates subsection 4 after having received a warning commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 may be adjudged.
B. Beginning October 1, 2011, a person who violates subsection 4 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 may be adjudged.
7. Collaboration on outreach efforts. The commissioner shall work with fishing and hunting groups and the interested parties in its efforts to notify and educate the public about the registry.
8. Report. The commissioner shall report registry information to the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in a form and manner as required by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
9. Rules. The commissioner may adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 2. Commissioner to execute memorandum of agreement. By January 1, 2010, the Commissioner of Marine Resources shall initiate negotiations to execute a memorandum of agreement with the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration pursuant to the provisions of 50 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 600.1415 (2009).
Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
MARINE RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF
Division of Administrative Services 0258
Initiative: Provides funding for programming, printing and training related to the new saltwater recreational fishing registry.
| GENERAL FUND | 2009-10 | 2010-11 |
|
All Other
|
$29,100 | $40,160 |
 |
|
|
| GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $29,100 | $40,160 |