An Act To Create a Spat Collection License
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0669
Committee Amendment CA_A_H218 (House)
Amends: 12 MRSA §6074-A

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 450., L.D. 669, Bill, "An Act To Create 
a Spat Collection License" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6074-A is enacted to read: 
. §6074-A. Spat collection license 
1. 
Definition. 
As used in this section, "spat" means sea scallops, Placopectin 
magellanicus, or blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, in the post-larval stage that have gone 
through metamorphosis and settled on a substrate. The commissioner may, by rule, add 
additional species to this definition. 
2. License required. A person may not engage in the activities authorized under 
this section without a current spat collection license issued by the commissioner. A 
person who holds a lease issued under section 60.72 or 6o'72-A or a license issued under 
section 6072-C is exempt from the requirement to obtain a spat collection license to 
collect spat on the lease site or in connection with the license issued under section 6o'72-C 
if the species is commercially cultured and listed on that person's lease or license. 
3. Licensed activity. The holder of a spat collection license may take, possess or 
sell the spat of marine organisms identified on the spat collection license. 
4: Type and amount of gear. The commissioner shall specify on a spat collection 
license the method of taking and the type and amount of gear authorized by the license. 
5. Eligibility. A spat collection license may be issued only to an individual who is a 
resident of the State. 
6. Rules. The commissioner shall adopt rules that define the maximum size of spat 
for each species that a holder of a spat collection license is authorized to take. The 
commissioner may adopt rules to limit the amount of spat collected and the type and 
amount of gear that may be used for spat collection for each species. Rules adopted 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to H.P. 450, L.D, 669 
pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, 
subchapter 2-A. 
7. License holder exempted. The holder of a spat collection license is exempt from 
the requirement to hold a license under this Part for harvesting the species identified on 
the spat collection license up to the maximum size of spat that is specified for that species 
in rule, The' holder of a spat collection license is exempt from the time restrictions on 
taking and possessing and minimum size requirements for that species up to the 
maximum size of spat that is specified for that species in rule, 
S. Fees. The fee for a spat collection license is $75, All fees collected under this 
subsection accrue to the Aquaculture Management Fund established in section 6072-D, 
9. Reporting. The commissioner may re~uire the holder of a spat collection license 
to report annually on the quantity of spat collected and whether the spat was used for 
aquaculture or stock enhancement activities, 
10. Violation. A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for 
which a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500 may be adjudged, 
Sec. 2. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1,2016,' 
SUMMARY 
The bill creates a spat collection license, This amendment specifies that "spat" means 
sea scallops or blue mussels in the post-larval stage that have gone through 
metamorphosis and settled on a substrate and provides that the Commissioner of Marine 
Resources may add additional species to this definition by rule, 
This amendment 
provides that an aquaculture lease or license holder is exempt from the requirement to 
hold a spat collection license for a species listed on that person's lease or license if the 
species is commercially cultured, 
This amendment clarifies that a holder of a spat 
collection license is not required to hold a separate license for harvesting the species 
identified on the spat collection license for harvesting up to the maximum size of spat of 
that species, as specified by rule adopted by the commissioner, This amendment reduces 
the fee for a spat collection license from $143 to $75, This amendment establishes an 
effective date of January 1, 2016, 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/12/15 
.:?HaC! 
LD669 
LR 507(02) 
An Act To Create a Spat Collection License 
~'iscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment if C H -:i I ~ ) 
Committee: Marine Resources 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
FY 2015-16 
FY2016-17 
Revenue 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
Increases the number of civil violations. 
$2,250 
$2,250 
Projections 
FY 2017-18 
$2,250 
The collection of additional fines may also increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Projections 
FY 2018-19 
$2,250 
The bill creates a spat collection license with an annual fee of $75 to allow the taking, possessing and selling of the 
spat of a marine organism on the license. This will increase Other Special Revenue Funds revenue by an estimated 
$2,250 annually to the Aquaculture Management Fund within the Department of Marine Resources beginning in fiscal 
year 2015-16 and in every subsequent fiscal year. 
LR0507(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1