H.P. 1544 - L.D. 2198
An Act to Fund the Costs Associated with Determining Eligibility for Certain Marine Resources Licenses
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6431-C, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 468, §5, is amended to read:
2. Purpose. All money credited to the Lobster Management Fund must be used to cover the costs of trap tags and the administration and enforcement of a lobster trap tag system under section 6431-B and, the costs associated with lobster management policy councils and referenda pursuant to section 6447 and the costs associated with determining eligibility for lobster and crab fishing licenses and eligibility to fish for or take lobsters from a vessel.
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6505-D, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 536, Pt. A, §8, is amended to read:
2. Permissible uses. The commissioner may use the fund in accordance with a plan required under subsection 3 to research and manage the State's eel and elver resources and, to enforce the laws related to eels and elvers and to cover the costs associated with determining eligibility for elver fishing licenses.
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §6749-R, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1997, c. 685, §6, is further amended to read:
1. Uses of the fund. The commissioner shall use the fund for research directly related to sea urchin fishery management information needs and for reporting to licensed sea urchin harvesters, boat tenders, processors and buyers on the results of research and the use of fund revenues. The purpose of that research must be to determine, with the highest reliability possible given available resources, the greatest level of effort that may be applied to the sea urchin fishery without harming the long-term economic and biological sustainability of the sea urchin fishery. The commissioner shall consult with the Sea Urchin Zone Council under section 6749-X before deciding upon research projects and awarding grants from the fund. The fund may also be used to cover the costs associated with determining eligibility for licenses under this subchapter and for personnel services for enforcement. Up to 30% of allotted revenues may be used for personnel services for enforcement purposes.
Sec. 4. Allocation. The following funds are allocated from Other Special Revenue funds to carry out the purposes of this Act.
1999-00 2000-01
MARINE RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF
Division of Administrative Services
Positions - Legislative Count (1.000) (1.000)
Personal Services $35,554 $49,281
All Other 2,175
__________ __________
TOTAL $37,729 $49,281
Allocates funds for the Lobster Management Fund's and the Eel and Elver Management Fund's share of one additional Senior Planner position and operating costs necessary to determine eligibility to participate in the lobster fishery and the elver fishery.
Bureau of Resource Management
Personal Services $1,871 $2,594
Allocates funds for the Sea Urchin Research Fund's share of one Senior Planner position in the Division of Administrative Services necessary to determine eligibility to participate in the sea urchin fishery.
DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES ____________ ____________
TOTAL $39,600 $51,875
Effective September 18, 1999, unless otherwise indicated.
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