An Act To Establish the Seafood Export Certification Program
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1654
Committee Amendment CA_A_S449 (Senate)
Amends: 12 MRSA §6101

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 553, L.D. 1654, Bill, "An Act To 
Establish the Seafood Export Certification Program" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Permit the Department of Marine Resources To Develop and Establish a 
Seafood Export Certification Program' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
emergency clause and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6101, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1989, c. 57, §2, is further 
amended to read: 
2. Program. The department shall be .ill the state agency ",,'hid'} shall be that is 
responsible for cooperating with the Federal Government in developing and 
administering a voluntary fishery product inspection program. Notwithstanding section 
6103, the commissioner may enter into agreements with the United States Department of 
Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and seafood producers for 
the issuance of certificates of compliance necessary to meet international regulations and 
obtain reimbursement from the United States DepartmetiCof Commerce;' National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the costs incurred by the department for the 
inspection and certification program. 
Sec. 2. Commissioner to develop a voluntary fishery product inspection 
program. The Commissioner of Marine Resources, referred to in this section as "the 
commissioner," shall work with the United States Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to seek to develop a memorandum of 
understanding that establishes the appropriate procedures and protocols to allow the 
Department of Marine Resources to perform inspections for the voluntary fishery product 
inspection program under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 6101. 
1. Research. The commissioner shall consider the following: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
l3 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 553, L.D. 1654 
A. The number of and location of staff positions required to carry out the voluntary 
fishery product inspection program, taking into account the number of inspections 
currently taking place, how often inspections are required and the location of the 
majority of the inspection activity; 
B. 
A mechanism to fund inspector training and the inspection period prior to 
receiving reimbursement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
and whether the funding could be covered using existing resources; and 
C. Whether the voluntary fishery product inspection program would save costs and 
increase flexibility compared to existing National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration inspections. 
2. Report. By January 15, 20l3, the commissioner shall submit a report to the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resources matters 
on the commissioner's findings and progress regarding a voluntary fishery product 
inspection program. 
The report must include the status of efforts to enter into a memorandum of 
understanding between the Department of Marine Resources and the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration and any draft legislation necessary to implement the 
commissioner's recommendations concerning the voluntary fishery product inspection 
program. 
The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resources 
matters may report out a bill on the subject of the report to the First Regular Session of 
the 126th Legislature.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment provides that the Commissioner of Marine Resources may enter into 
agreements with the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration and seafood producers for the issuance of certificates of 
compliance required by international regulations and may seek reimbursement from the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the costs incurred by the 
Department of Marine Resources for the inspection and certification program. Such 
agreements would allow the department to perform inspections that are otherwise 
performed by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The amendment also 
requires the commissioner to submit a report to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resources matters detailing the department's 
progress regarding a voluntary fishery product inspection program, including draft 
legislation if necessary to implement the program. It also gives the committee permission 
to report out a bill to the First Regular Session of the 126th Legislature. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 03/09112 
~aC"-
LD 1654 
LR 2488(02) 
An Act To Establish the Seafood Export Certification Program 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" S -If'-tCf 
Committee: Marine Resources 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
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Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Additional costs to the Department of Marine Resources associated with performing the research outlined in the 
legislation and reporting the results can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources and with existing staff. 
LR2488(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1