An Act To Establish a Farmer's Rights in an Investigation of Intellectual Property Theft of Genetically Engineered Material
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1202
Committee Amendment CA_B_H431 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" (3" to H.P. 827, L.D. 1202, Bill, "An Act To 
Establish a Farmer's Rights in an Investigation of Intellectual Property Theft of 
Genetically Engineered Material" 
Amend the bill in section 2 in § 1 055 in subsection 2 in the first line (page 2, line 6 in 
L.D.) by inserting after the following: "agreement" the following: 'entered into after 
October 1, 2009' 
Amend the bill in section 3 in § 1 056 by striking out all of subsection 4 (page 2, lines 
to 40 in L.D.) 
Amend the bill in section 3 in § 1 056 by renumbering the subsections to read 
consecutively. 
Amend the bill by inserting at the end before the summary the following: 
'Sec. 4. 
Adoption of rules to maintain the integrity of crops. 
The 
Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall provisionally adopt rules 
as required under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 1054 and submit the rules 
to the Executive Director of the Legislative Council no later than December 15, 2009 for 
review as major substantive rules in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-
A. The rules must require a person growing a genetically engineered crop to select fields 
and cultivate the crop in a manner that maintains the integrity of all crops and minimizes 
potential conflicts between farmers.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment is a minority report of the committee and clarifies that the 
provisions regarding actions alleging a violation of a technology use agreement apply 
only to technology use agreements entered into after October 1, 2009. It also removes a 
provision regarding the unknowing possession or use of genetically engineered plants that 
is similar to a provision in the Maine Revised Statues, Title 7, section 1053. This 
amendment also directs the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to 
provisionally adopt major substantive rules requiring a person planning to grow a 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
'is 
"'ft.}J" 
COMMITIEE AMENDMENT "~,, to H.P. 827, L.D. 1202 
genetically engineered crop to select fields and cultivate the crop in a manner that 
maintains the integrity of all crops and minimizes potential conflicts between farmers and 
submit the rules to the Executive Director of the Legislative Council by no later than 
December 15, 2009 for review in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
\ 
/' 
J 
) 
') 
" 
,,) 
/1 
r"'~·' 
~ 
\ 
.' 
;", 
\ 
Approved: OS/24/09 ;'!:!?ae 
. 124th MAINE LEGISLATURE 
LD 1202 
LR 931(03) 
An Act To Establish a Farmer's Rights in an Investigation of Intellectual Property Theft of Genetically 
Engineered Material 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendm-ent "8' 
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
Increases the number of civil suits. 
The collection of additional filing fees may also increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Additional costs to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources associated with rulemaking can be 
absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR0931 (03) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1