An Act To Allow the Commissioner of Marine Resources To Investigate Price Fixing of Lobster
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0469
Committee: Marine Resources
Sponsors: EVANGELOS, MAZUREK, CASAVANT, CHIPMAN, DICKERSON, JORGENSEN, KRUGER, MONAGHAN-DERRIG, PLANTE
Amends: 12 MRSA §6052

Legislative Document 
No. 469 
H.P. 319 
House of Representatives, February 14, 2013 
An Act To Allow the Commissioner of Marine Resources To 
Investigate Price Fixing of Lobster 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Marine Resources suggested and ordered printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative EVANGELOS of Friendship. 
Cosponsored by Senator MAZUREK of Knox and 
Representatives: CASAVANT of Biddeford, CHIPMAN of Portland, DeCHANT of Bath, 
DICKERSON of Rockland, JORGENSEN of Portland, KRUGER of Thomaston, 
MONAGHAN-DERRIG of Cape Elizabeth, PLANTE of Berwick. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, lobster price fixing may be occurring and it is crucial that the Department 
of Marine Resources have the authority as soon as possible to investigate the matter; 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 §6052, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2003, c. 60, §3, is further 
amended to read: 
4.  Research. Serve as the primary state agency engaging in research for the 
conservation of marine resources; and engage in all aspects of marine research, including:  
A.  Providing information on stock levels and environments of commercially and 
recreationally valuable marine and anadromous fish organisms; 
B.  Solving particular problems that relate to the State's commercial, marine 
recreational and anadromous fishing industry; 
C.  Providing technical and scientific information and support for all department 
activities; and 
D.  Establishing a marine research revolving fund for soliciting and receiving funds 
for conducting marine research.  A marine research fund established under this 
paragraph may be used only for research purposes set forth under paragraphs A and B 
and may not be used for research specific to any one company; and 
Sec. 2.  12 MRSA §6052, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 60, §4, is amended to 
read: 
5.  Safety and security services.  Provide safety and security services in the coastal 
waters of the State.  The department shall coordinate with other local, state and federal 
agencies when the department provides such safety and security services.; and 
Sec. 3.  12 MRSA §6052, sub-§6 is enacted to read: 
6.  Investigate lobster price fixing.  Investigate lobster price fixing.  At the request 
of the commissioner, the Attorney General shall provide investigatory assistance in 
determining whether lobster price fixing has occurred or is occurring. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill authorizes the Commissioner of Marine Resources to investigate lobster 
price fixing and requires the Attorney General, at the request of the commissioner, to 
provide investigatory assistance in determining whether lobster price fixing has occurred 
or is occurring.