Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Study the Effects of Ocean Acidification and Its Potential Effects on Commercial Shellfish Harvested and Grown along the Maine Coast
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1602
Committee Amendment CA_A_H725 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1174, L.D. 1602, "Resolve, 
Establishing the Commission To Study the Effects of Ocean Acidification and Its 
Potential Effects on Commercial Shellfish Harvested and Grown along the Maine Coast" 
Amend the resolve by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Study the Effects of Coastal and Ocean 
Acidification and Its Existing and Potential Effects on Species That Are 
Commercially Harvested and Grown along the Maine Coast' 
Amend the resolve by striking out everything after the title and before the summary 
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 Commission To Study the Effects of Coastal and Ocean Acidification 
and Its Existing and Potential Effects on Species That Are Commercially Harvested and 
Grown along the Maine Coast is established to identify the actual and potential effects of 
coastal and ocean acidification on commercially valuable marine species, to identify the 
scientific data and knowledge gaps that hinder Maine's ability to craft policy and other 
responses to coastal and ocean acidification and prioritize the strategies for filling those 
gaps and to provide policies and tools to respond to the adverse effects of coastal and 
ocean acidification on commercially important fisheries and Maine's shellfish aquaculture 
industry; and 
Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that 
the study may be completed and a report submitted in time to be considered in the next 
legislative session; 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 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
'" 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to H.P. 1174, L.D. 1602 
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the Commission To Study the Effects of Coastal and Ocean Acidification and Its 
Existing and Potential Effects on Species That Are Commercially Harvested and Grown 
along the Maine Coast, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; and 
be it further 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 
the following members: 
1. Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including 
one member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the 
Legislature; 
2. Three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including at least one member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest 
number of seats in the Legislature; 
3. Eight members appointed by the Commissioner of Marine Resources, including: 
A. Two representatives of an environmental or community group; 
B. Three persons who fish commercially, including at least one aquaculturist; and 
C. Three scientists who have studied coastal or ocean acidification; and 
4. Three members as follows: 
A. The Commissioner of Marine Resources or the commissioner's designee; 
B. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection or the commissioner's designee; 
and 
C. 
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry or the 
commissioner's designee; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the 
commission; and be it further 
Sec. 4. 
Appointments; convening of commission. 
Resolved: 
That all 
appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission within 45 days. If 
days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all 
appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative 
Council may grant authority for the commission to meet and conduct its business; and be 
it further 
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall meet a minimum of 4 times 
to review, study and analyze existing scientific literature and data on coastal and ocean 
acidification and how it has affected or potentially will affect commercially harvested and 
grown species along the coast ofthe State and shall address: 
1. The factors contributing to coastal and ocean acidification; 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AME~DMENT" A 
"to H.P. 1174, L.D. 1602 
2. How to mitigate coastal and ocean acidification; 
3. 
Critical scientific data and knowledge gaps pertaining to coastal and ocean 
acidification as well as critical scientific data and knowledge gaps pertaining to the 
effects of coastal and ocean acidification on species that are commercially harvested and 
grown along Maine's coast. The commission shall include in its review of the relevant 
scientific literature and data the results of studies presented at conferences or workshops 
held in the New England or Northeast region that relate to coastal and ocean acidification, 
and the commission shall coordinate with the Northeast Coastal Acidification Network to 
prevent duplication of effort; 
4. Steps to strengthen existing scientific monitoring, research and analysis regarding 
the causes of and trends in coastal and ocean acidification; and 
5. Steps to take to provide recommendations to the Legislature and increase public 
awareness of coastal and ocean acidification; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 7. Outside funding. Resolved: That the commission shall seek funding 
contributions to fund the costs of the study. All funding is subject to approval by the 
Legislative Council in accordance with its policies. If sufficient contributions to fund the 
study have not been received within 30 days after the effective date of this resolve, no 
meetings are authorized and no expenses of any kind may be incurred or reimbursed; and 
be it further 
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 5, 2014, the commission 
shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to date, including suggested 
legislation, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
marine resources matters. The joint standing committee is authorized to submit a bill to 
the First Regular Session of the 127th Legislature related to the subject matter of the 
report. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the resolve. Like the resolve, it establishes a commission 
to study ocean acidification, but changes the scope of the study to include the effects of 
coastal acidification. The amendment also changes the membership of the commission 
and its duties and reporting date. 
FISCAL ~OTE REQURED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 03/20114 .M'.:Zc 
LD 1602 
LR 2511(02) . 
Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Study the Effects of Ocean Acidification and Its Potential 
Effects on Commercial Shellfish Harvested and Grown along the Maine Coast 
. 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment '~' (H- 7.;1S) 
Committee: Marine Resources 
. 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Legislative Cost/Study 
Legislative Cost/Study 
The general operating expenses of this study commission are projected to be $1,250 in fiscal year 2013~14 and $1,750 
in fiscal year 2014-15. The Legislature's proposed budget includes $10,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $10,000 in 
fiscal year 2014-15 for legislative studies .. Whether the amounts are sufficient to fund all studies will depend on the 
number of studies authorized by the Legislative Council and the Legislature. The additional costs of providing 
staffing assistance to the study during the interim can be absorbed utilizing existing budgeted staff resources. This 
study commission is contingent on sufficient outside funding being provided and approved by the Legislative Council. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Any additional costs to the Department of Marine Resources, Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
and Department of Environmental Protection to serve on the commission and study the effects of coastal and ocean 
acidification are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR2511 (02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1