Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1120
Sponsors: MAKER, ALLEY, BATTLE, BLUME, HAWKE, SIMMONS, SUTTON, TUELL, VITELLI

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHTH MAINE LEGISLATURE 
Sara Gideon
Sara Gideon
Sara Gideon
Sara Gideon, Speaker of the House
, Speaker of the House
, Speaker of the House
, Speaker of the House 
Robert B. Hunt
Robert B. Hunt
Robert B. Hunt
Robert B. Hunt, Clerk
, Clerk
, Clerk
, Clerk 
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46th Legislative Day 
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 
Calling of the House to Order by the Speaker. 
Prayer by Reverend Leo R. Locke, Jr., East Wilton Union Church. 
Pledge of Allegiance. 
Doctor of the day, Alan Bean, M.D., Harrison. 
Reading of the Journal of yesterday. 
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HOUSE ADVANCE JOURNAL AND CALENDAR - Wednesday, May 31, 2017
ORDERS 
(4-1)  On motion of Representative KUMIEGA of Deer Isle, the following Joint 
Resolution:  (H.P. 1120) (Cosponsored by Senator MAKER of Washington and Representatives: 
ALLEY of Beals, BATTLE of South Portland, BLUME of York, HAWKE of Boothbay Harbor, 
SIMMONS of Waldoboro, SUTTON of Warren, TUELL of East Machias, Senator: VITELLI of 
Sagadahoc) (Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint 
Rule 214) 
JOINT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO 
NEGOTIATE TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION TO KEEP 
MAINE AND DOMESTIC LOBSTER AND SEAFOOD PRODUCTS COMPETITIVE 
WITH CANADIAN LOBSTER AND SEAFOOD PRODUCTS 
WE, your Memorialists, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Legislature 
of the State of Maine now assembled in the First Regular Session, most respectfully present and 
petition the United States Congress as follows: 
WHEREAS, the value of marine resources commercially harvested in Maine exceeded 
$700 million in 2016, and the value of lobster harvested in Maine accounts for over $533 million 
of that amount; and 
WHEREAS, total exports from Maine to the European Union exceeded $503 million in 
2016; and 
WHEREAS, exports from Maine of lobster to the European Union totaled approximately 
$158 million, or approximately 80% of all lobster exported from the United States to the 
European Union, in 2016; and 
WHEREAS, the European Union is the largest global fish and seafood market in the 
world; and 
WHEREAS, Maine and Canada share the same lobster species and compete for market 
share in the European Union and around the world; and 
WHEREAS, the European Union imposes tariffs on fish and seafood products that range 
from 2% on certain types of salmon to 20% on processed lobster imported from both the United 
States and Canada; and 
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA, is a free 
trade agreement between Canada and the European Union that will reduce tariffs on fish and 
seafood products exported from Canada to the European Union; and 
WHEREAS, CETA will go into effect on the first day of the month following the date the 
European Union and Canada notify each other that each has completed all necessary procedures 
for implementation; and 
HOUSE ADVANCE JOURNAL AND CALENDAR - Wednesday, May 31, 2017
WHEREAS, when CETA takes effect, the 8% tariff on live lobster exports from Canada 
to the European Union will be immediately eliminated, the 6% to 16% tariff on frozen lobster 
exports from Canada to the European Union will be eliminated over 3 years and the 20% tariff 
on processed lobster exports from Canada to the European Union will be eliminated over 5 
years; and 
WHEREAS, while tariffs on lobster and seafood products exported from Canada to the 
European Union are being eliminated, tariffs on Maine and other domestic lobster and seafood 
products exported to the European Union will remain; and 
WHEREAS, the elimination of tariffs on Canadian lobster and seafood products will 
increase trade between Canada and the European Union, resulting in economic injury to Maine 
and other domestic lobster and seafood harvesters and processors; and 
WHEREAS, the impact of CETA on Maine lobster harvesters, who landed over 130 
million pounds of lobster in 2016, should be minimized; and 
WHEREAS, the impact of CETA on Maine lobster dealers, who support 675 jobs and 
paid $28.4 million in wages in 2016, should be minimized; and 
WHEREAS, under the United States Constitution, Article I, the Congress of the United 
States has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations; now, therefore, be it 
RESOLVED: That We, your Memorialists, on behalf of the people we represent, take this 
opportunity to respectfully request that the United States Congress, under the provisions of 
Article I of the United States Constitution, negotiate trade agreements with the European Union 
that will reduce tariffs on Maine and domestic lobster and seafood products, or otherwise 
mitigate the effects of CETA, to ensure that historical, lucrative industries are not damaged by 
the economic disadvantage that will result from CETA unless these negotiations are undertaken; 
and be it further 
RESOLVED: That suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary 
of State, be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, to the Speaker of the United 
States House of Representatives and to each Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation. 
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