129th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 235 LR 686(03)
An Act To Increase Funding To Contain and Manage the Spread of Invasive Aquatic Species
Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with:
C "A" (H-309)
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
             
Fiscal Note
FY 2019-20 FY 2020-21 Projections  FY 2021-22 Projections  FY 2022-23
Appropriations/Allocations
Other Special Revenue Funds $618,636 $717,076 $717,076 $717,076
Revenue
Other Special Revenue Funds $618,636 $717,076 $717,076 $717,076
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill increases the portion of the fees paid when registering watercraft for operating on the inland waters of the state from $10 to $15 for invasive species prevention and control. The bill also increases the fee paid for lake and river protection stickers required for nonresident motorboats, personal watercraft and seaplanes operating on inland waters of the State from $20 to $35 beginning January 1, 2020 and to $45 beginning January 1, 2021. The bill also changes references in statute so that all revenues from the sale of lake and river protection stickers are divided 80% to the Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species Fund within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and 20% to the Lake and River Protection Fund within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW). 
Assuming an average of 96,164 watercraft registrations and 9,844 stickers sold, the increased invasive species prevention and control fees will generate revenue of $84,351 for the IFW and $534,285 for the DEP in fiscal year 2019-20 and $104,039 for the IFW and $613,037 for the DEP in fiscal year 2020-21. The bill includes allocations of  those amounts to the IFW and the DEP to allow expenditure of the additional revenue.