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An Act Regarding Commercial Elver Fishing Licenses Issued by the Penobscot Nation
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  this legislation expands the availability of marine resources licenses for members of the Penobscot Nation; and
Whereas,  it is important that these licenses be available during the spring because of the seasonal nature of harvesting certain marine species; 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 §6302-A, sub-§3, ¶E, as amended by PL 2011, c. 598, §17, is further amended to read:
 
E. The Penobscot Nation may not issue to members of the nation more than 848 commercial licenses for the taking of elvers in any calendar year, except that the commissioner shall by rule allow the Penobscot Nation to issue additional commercial licenses to members of the nation for the taking of elvers if the commissioner determinesand the Penobscot Nation determine that elver resources are sufficient to permit the issuance of new licenses; and
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
SUMMARY
This bill increases the number of commercial licenses for the taking of elvers that the Penobscot Nation may issue in any calendar year from 8 to 48. It also specifies that if the Commissioner of Marine Resources and the Penobscot Nation determine elver resources are sufficient to permit the issuance of more licenses, the commissioner by rule may increase the number.