An Act To
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0847
Committee Amendment CA_A_H278 (House)
Amends: 12 MRSA §6137, 36 MRSA §1760

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " 
to H.P. 646, L.D. 847, Bill, 
Support the Commercial Groundfish Industry" 
"An Act To 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and inserting the following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the groundfish industry is on the verge of collapse in Maine and unless 
immediate action is taken by the Legislature the industry may not be able to sustain itself 
until groundfish stocks have rebounded enough to once again support one of Maine's 
most important traditional fisheries; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6137 is enacted to read: 
§6137. Groundfish industry incentive program 
A groundfish industry incentive program, referred to in this section as "the program, " 
is established within the department. The commissioner shall implement and administer 
the program. The program is limited to a groundfish vessel that lands and sells at least 
90% of its catch in this State. The commissioner may waive the 90% requirement if the 
commissioner determines that weather conditions, equipment failure, illness or federal 
requirements prevented a vessel from meeting this requirement. 
Upon a vessel's 
application to the commissioner and documentation of eligibility, the commissioner shall 
provide to the qualifying vessel the rebates described in this section: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
" 
~ 
13· 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ·A " 
to H.P. 646, L.D. 847 
1. Ice. A rebate for the cost of ice purchased from an ice vendor located in this State 
for purposes related to groundfish fishing; 
2. Transportation. A rebate for the cost of transporting or shipping to Portland, 
Maine fish landed in this State; and 
3. Fish handling. A rebate for the handling costs of groundfish landed in this State. 
This section is repealed June I, 20 I O. 
Sec. 2. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§8, ~ 
is enacted to read: 
D. 
Distillates, as defined in section 3202, bought and used for the purpose of 
operating or propelling a commercial groundfish boat. 
This paragraph is repealed June 1, 2010. 
Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
MARINE RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF 
Division of Administrative Services 0258 
Initiative: Appropriates funds to be paid as rebates to Maine-based commercial 
groundfish vessels for ice costs, transportation fees and groundfish handling service fees. 
GENERAL FUND 
All Other 
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
2007-08 
$2,800,000 
$2,800,000 
2008-09 
$3,250,000 
$3,250,000 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill, which was a concept draft, and is an emergency 
measure. It establishes a groundfish industry incentive program within the Department of 
Marine Resources. The program provides groundfish vessels that land and sell at least 
90% of their catch in the State with rebates on ice purchased in this State and handling 
and transportation costs for groundfish landed in this State and exempts these groundfish 
vessels from the fuel sales tax. The amendment also provides an appropriations and 
allocations section. 
The groundfish industry incentive program and the fuel tax 
exemption are repealed June 1, 2010. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05114/07 
;:tk?ac.. 
LD847 
LR 2321(02) 
An Act To Support the Commercial Groundfish Industry 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ·A .. 
Committee: Marine Resources 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Net Cost (Savings) 
General Fund 
Appropriations/Allocations 
General Fund 
Revenue 
General Fund 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note 
2007-08 
$3,022,970 
$2,800,000 
($222,970) 
($12,230) 
2008-09 
$3,477,429 
$3,250,000 
($227,429) 
($12,475) 
Projections 
2009-10 
$4,220,379 
$4,000,000 
($220,379) 
($12,088) 
Projections 
2010-11 
$0 
$0 
$0 
$0 
Exempting from the sales tax certain fuel used in commercial groundfishing will reduce General Fund revenue by an 
estimated $222,970 in fiscal year 2007-08 and $227,429 in fiscal year 2008-09. In addition, the bill includes General 
Fund appropriations of $2,800,000 and $3,250,000 in fiscal years 2007-08 and 2008-09, respectively, to the 
Department of Marine Resources to provide rebates to certain commercial groundfish vessels. 
LR2321 (02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I