An Act To Address Marine Debris Resulting from Commercial Activities
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0703
Committee Amendment CA_A_H617 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "/],, to H.P. 494, L.D. 703, Bill, "An Act To 
Address Marine Debris Resulting from Commercial Activities" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, Establishing a Commission To Study the Effects of Marine Debris on 
Maine's Coastal Habitat and Species' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title 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 Marine Debris is needed to 
identify sources of marine debris and the existing and potential future effects of marine 
debris on the marine environment and marine species, to aggregate existing scientific data 
and identify gaps in understanding that currently hinder the State's ability to craft 
adequate marine debris mitigation policy and to provide recommendations for advancing 
strategic options to fill gaps in the State's knowledge of the sources of marine debris and 
the effects of marine debris on habitat and commercially valuable marine species; 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 for submission to 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 
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission To Study 
the Effects of Marine Debris, referred to in this resolve as "the commission, 
is 
established; and be it further 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 494, L.D. 703 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the commission consists of 13 members as follows: 
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 Speak.er of the 
House, including at least one member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest 
number of seats in the Legislature; 
and 
3. Two members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows: 
A. One representative of an environmental ocean or coastal community group based 
in the State; and 
B. One person who is licensed to fish commercially in the State; 
4. Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows: 
A. One representative of an environmental ocean or coastal community group based 
in the State; 
B. One person who is an aquaculturist licensed in the State; and 
C. One scientist who has studied marine debris in the State; 
5. The Commissioner of Marine Resources or the commissioner's designee; 
6. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection or the commissioner's designee; 
7. 
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. If 30 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 study marine debris and how it has affected or potentially will affect the State's ocean 
and coastal ecosystem, habitats and species and shall: 
1. Study the factors contributing to marine debris in the State; 
2. Consider scientific literature and data and identify knowledge gaps pertaining to 
marine debris generated by marine and other industries and identify the effects of marine 
debris on the State's coastal habitat and species. The commission shall include in its 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT"~" to H.P. 494, L.D. 703 
consideration of the scientific literature and data the results of studies presented at 
conferences or workshops that relate to marine debris, and the commission shall 
coordinate with any experts necessary to ensure accurate findings and sound 
recommendations and to prevent any undesired duplication of effort; 
3. Provide recommended steps to strengthen existing scientific monitoring, research 
and analysis regarding the causes of and trends in marine debris as a means of better 
understanding the issue of marine debris and its effects, as well as methods for 
monitoring and evaluating any approaches presented in the report under section 7 and 
subsequently adopted by the Legislature to track benefits to and effects on the marine 
environment and species and marine and other industries; 
4. Outline existing problems and threats of marine debris on habitat, commercially 
important fisheries, the State's shellfish aquaculture industry and coastal tourism and 
recreation and identify recommendations for policies and tools to respond to those 
problems and threats; and 
5. 
Provide recommendations to the Legislature to increase public awareness of 
marine debris; 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. 
Report. 
Resolved: 
That, no later than November 7, 2018, the 
commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, 
including suggested legislation, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over marine resources matters. The joint standing committee may report out 
legislation to the 129th Legislature based upon the report of the commission. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill, which is a concept draft, with a resolve that 
establishes the Commission To Study the Effects of Marine Debris, which is a 13-
member commission tasked with studying marine debris and how it has affected or 
potentially will affect Maine's ocean and coastal ecosystem, habitats and species. The 
commission is required to meet at least 4 times and must submit a report, including 
suggested legislation, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over marine resources matters no later than November 7, 2018. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 02/14/18 :Wac-.. 
LD703 
LR 1746(02) 
An Act To Address Marine Debris Resulting from Commercial Activities 
Legislative Cost/Study 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,fl, { fl- foJ i) 
Committee: Marine Resources 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Legislative Cost/Study 
The general operating expenses of this study are projected to be $1,375 in fiscal year 2017-18 and $1,375 in fiscal 
year 2018-19. The Legislature's budget includes approximately $7 ,000 in fiscal year 2017-18 and $10,000 in fiscal 
year 2018-19 for legislative studies. Whether these 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 resources. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Any additional costs for the departments and agencies with members appointed to the study are assumed to be minor 
and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LRl 746(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1