The Lobster Innovation Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established in the department. The fund consists of money received as appropriations and contributions from public and private sources. Balances in the fund may not lapse and must be carried forward. The fund must be used to provide stipends to holders of Class I, Class II or Class III lobster fishing licenses to participate in the testing of new lobster fishing technologies.   [PL 2023, c. 466, §3 (NEW).]