An Act To Create a Carrier License for Pelagic and Anadromous Fish
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6041, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 527, §1, is amended to read:
2. Sources of revenue. The fund is capitalized by surcharges assessed under section 6502-A, subsection 7 and fees collected pursuant to section 6502-B, subsection 4. In addition to those revenues, the commissioner may accept and deposit in the fund money from any other source, public or private.
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6502-B is enacted to read:
§ 6502-B. Carrier license
1. License required. A person may not engage in the activities authorized under this section without a current carrier license.
2. Licensed activity. If rules adopted pursuant to subsection 5 allow vessels to possess or transport fish, the holder of a carrier license may possess or transport on the vessel listed on the carrier license Atlantic herring or Atlantic menhaden that the holder has not taken.
3. Eligibility. A carrier license may be issued only to an individual.
4. Fees. The fee for a carrier license is $98. The commissioner shall deposit the fee in the Pelagic and Anadromous Fisheries Fund established under section 6041.
5. Rules. The commissioner may adopt rules regarding the operations of vessels possessing or transporting fish pursuant to a carrier license. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
6. Violation. A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
Sec. 3. Effective date. This Act takes effect on January 1, 2020.
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 129th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.