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131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2023
Legislative Document No. 92H.P. 60 House of Representatives, January 9, 2023
An Act to Minimize the Propagation of Invasive Aquatic Plants
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative RISEMAN of Harrison. Page 1 - 131LR0550(01)1 acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
2 become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
3 the boating season begins in the State prior to the statutory adjournment
4 date; and
5 this Act is necessary to protect Maine's water bodies from invasive aquatic
6 plants; and
7 in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
8 the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
9 immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
10 therefore,
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12 is enacted to read:
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14 water body and prior to transport away from the area where the vessel left the water, a
15 person shall:
16 A. Drain the vessel, trailer and other equipment that holds water, including live wells,
17 ballast tanks and bilges; and
18 B. Remove or open drain plugs, bailers, valves and other devices to drain the water
19 from the live wells, ballast tanks and bilges.
20 For the purposes of this subsection, "vessel" has the same meaning as in section 542,
21 subsection 11.
22 Nothing in this subsection allows a person to directly or indirectly discharge pollutants into
23 waters of the State. This subsection does not apply to emergency response vessels and their
24 related equipment.
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26 takes effect when approved.
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28 This bill requires a person when removing a vessel from an inland water body to drain
29 the vessel and other equipment and to remove or open drain plugs, bailers, valves and other
30 devices to drain the water before that vessel is transported. It exempts emergency response
31 vessels from these requirements.
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