126th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1830		LR 2858(03)
	An Act To Promote Rockweed Habitat Conservation through the Consideration of No-harvest Areas
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Marine Resources
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Minor cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	The bill requires the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) to prepare and submit an update to the Legislature on implementation of the Rockweed Fishery Management Plan. The DMR must create a working group of experts to complete the work on developing criteria for certain areas closed to harvest or seasonally closed to harvest as recommended by the Rockweed Fishery Management Plan. The bill requires rules establishing areas closed to harvest and a process for the allocation to sectors be major substantive rules. Any additional costs to the DMR to undertake these activities are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.