An Act To Improve the Aquaculture Leasing and Licensing Laws
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1438
Committee Amendment CA_A_H287 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " to H.P. 993, L.D. 1438, Bill, "An Act To 
Improve the Aquaculture Leasing and Licensing Laws" 
Amend the bill in section 4 in subsection 12-C in the 2nd line (page 1, line 31 in 
L.D.) by striking out the following: 
1110%
and inserting the following: '25%, but may not 
expand by more than 4 acres,' 
Amend the bill in section 4 in subsection 12-C in paragraph A by striking out all of 
subparagraph ( 4) (page 2, lines 6 to 10 in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'(4) 
Including a map of the lease area and its proposed expansion, and its 
adjoining waters and shorelands, with the names and addresses of the known 
riparian owners as listed in the municipal tax records and documentation showing 
that the lease holder has informed each of those riparian owners of the 
application and the opportunity for comment as provided in paragraph B;' 
Amend the bill in section 4 in subsection 12-C by striking out all of paragraph B 
(page 2, lines 19 to 27 in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'B. The commissioner shall review the application. When the commissioner has 
determined that the application for the lease expansion is complete, the commissioner 
shall provide notice to the municipal officers of the municipality or municipalities in 
which or adjacent to which the lease expansion is proposed. The commissioner shall 
publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality or municipalities in 
which the lease expansion is proposed a summary of the application and notice of the 
opportunity to submit comments regarding the proposed lease expansion to the 
commissioner during a period of at least 30 days following the date of publication of 
the lease expansion summary.' 
Amend the bill in section 4 in subsection 12-C by striking out all of paragraphs D and 
E (page 2, lines 31 to 41 in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'D. 
The commissioner shall consider comments received during the period for 
comments set pursuant to paragraph B. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
R. oi S. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A 
"to H.P. 993, L.D. 1438 
E. If the commissioner determines that, based upon the application and comments 
received, the lease expansion meets the requirements of subsection 7-A, the 
commissioner may approve the request for the lease expansion.' 
Amend the bill in section 6 in §6072-C by inserting after subsection 7-A the 
following: 
'7-B. Prohibition; transporting organisms. A person may not transport organisms 
grown under a limited-purpose aquaculture license that is designated for personal use to 
an area that is the subject of a limited-purpose aquaculture license that is designated for 
commercial use.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment increases the amount by which the contiguous area of a research or 
aquaculture lease may expand during the duration of the lease term from 10%, as 
provided in the bill, to 25%, except that the expansion may not be greater than 4 acres. 
The amendment clarifies that a person may submit comments to the Commissioner of 
Marine Resources regarding an application to expand a research or aquaculture lease for 
at least 30 days following the publication by the commissioner of the application 
summary. 
The amendment removes the provisions of the bill that require the 
commissioner to deny a lease expansion if comments are received opposing the 
expansion and instead requires the commissioner to consider all comments but to make 
the decision of whether to approve the expansion based upon the same criteria as would 
apply to a new lease application. The amendment prohibits the transport of organisms 
grown under a limited-purpose aquaculture license that is designated for personal use to 
an area that is the subject of a limited-purpose aquaculture license that is designated for 
commercial use. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 05/20/17 feac 
LD 1438 
LR 749(02) 
An Act To Improve the Aquaculture Leasing and Licensing Law~ 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,h,( µ..-&.C)'lj 
Committee: Marine Resources 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Any additional costs to the Department of Marine Resources as a result of adjustments to the aquaculture leasing and 
licensing regulations are anticipated to be minor and can be absorbed within budgeted resources. 
LR0749(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1