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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1253H.P. 828House of Representatives, March 25, 2025
An Act to Authorize the Commissioner of Marine Resources to Add
Limited-access Area Fishing Days During the Scallop Season
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Marine Resources suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative FAULKINGHAM of Winter Harbor.
Cosponsored by Senator MOORE of Washington and
Representatives: BISHOP of Bucksport, FOLEY of Wells, PARRY of Arundel, SIMMONS of
Waldoboro, STROUT of Harrington, TUELL of East Machias, WHITE of Guilford. Page 1 - 132LR0995(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 scallop season in Maine is closed for a majority of the year, typically
4 open only in select zones and on specific days between December and April; and
5 Maine residents' ability to harvest scallops has been challenged in recent
6 years by extreme and dangerous weather, resulting in lost fishing days; and
7 allowing the Commissioner of Marine Resources to add up to 5 limited-
8 access area days during the scallop season could help counteract losses that have resulted
9 from lost fishing days and aid scallop population management efforts; and
10 it is necessary for this legislation to take effect before the scallop season
11 ends; and
12 in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
13 the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
14 immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
15 therefore,
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17 is enacted to read:
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19 The commissioner may establish by rule up to a total of 5 limited-access area days
20 during the scallop season if the commissioner determines that additional days are necessary
21 to counteract the inability to fish for scallops on certain days due to inclement weather or
22 if the scallop population is sufficient to allow additional scallop fishing in those areas.
23 Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5,
24 chapter 375, subchapter 2-A, except that the commissioner may adopt rules pursuant to
25 Title 5, section 8054 on an emergency basis.
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27 takes effect when approved.
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29 This bill authorizes the Commissioner of Marine Resources to establish by rule up to
30 5 limited-access area days during the scallop season if the commissioner determines that
31 additional days are necessary to counteract lost scallop fishing days due to inclement
32 weather or if the scallop population is sufficient to allow additional scallop fishing in those
33 areas.
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