An Act To Establish the Seafood Export Certification Program
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1654
Committee: Marine Resources
Sponsors: LANGLEY, PARRY, RECTOR, SNOWE-MELLO, BEAVERS, CHAPMAN, LUCHINI, MALABY, OLSEN, TILTON
Amends: 12 MRSA §6043

Legislative Document 
No. 1654 
S.P. 553 
In Senate, December 21, 2011 
An Act To Establish the Seafood Export Certification Program 
(EMERGENCY) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203. 
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on December 19, 2011.  Referred to the Committee 
on Marine Resources pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 
218. 
JOSEPH G. CARLETON, JR. 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator LANGLEY of Hancock. 
Cosponsored by Representative PARRY of Arundel and 
Senators: RECTOR of Knox, SNOWE-MELLO of Androscoggin, Representatives: BEAVERS 
of South Berwick, CHAPMAN of Brooksville, LUCHINI of Ellsworth, MALABY of 
Hancock, OLSEN of Phippsburg, TILTON of Harrington. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, current restrictions on the international export of seafood require the 
seafood to be certified by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and 
Whereas, due to limited resources at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, persons who fish commercially in the State often are required to wait for 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to certify the seafood and issue the 
certificate needed for international export; and 
Whereas, the time spent waiting results in reduced productivity for persons who fish 
commercially in the State; 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 §6043 is enacted to read: 
§6043.  Seafood Export Certification Program 
The Seafood Export Certification Program, referred to in this section as "the 
program," is established to allow the department, in conjunction with the United States 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to inspect 
and certify seafood products for international export.  The commissioner may enter into 
agreements with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and seafood 
producers for the issuance of certificates of compliance necessary to meet international 
regulations. 
The commissioner shall adopt routine technical rules, as defined in Title 5, chapter 
375, subchapter 2-A, to implement the program. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill establishes the Seafood Export Certification Program in the Department of 
Marine Resources to allow the department, in conjunction with the United States 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to inspect 
and certify seafood and issue certificates of compliance necessary to meet international 
export standards.