An Act To Improve Safety in the Disposal of Expired Marine Flares
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0252
Committee Amendment CA_A_H62 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "H" to H.P. 185, L.D. 252, Bill, "An Act To 
Improve Safety in the Disposal of Expired Marine Flares" 
Amend the bill by striking out eve1ything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 25 MRSA c. 318-A is enacted to read: 
CHAPTER 318-A 
EXPIRED MARINE FLARES 
§2491. Collection, storage and disposal of expired marine flares 
The State Fire Marshal shall, within existing resources, establish a program for the 
safe collection, storage and disposal of expired marine flares and to provide public 
education regarding safe storage, collection and disposal of expired marine flares 
pursuant to this section. 
1. Definition. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, 
"expired marine flare" means a device designed to produce a bright flame for use as a 
signal or marker on the inland or coastal waters of the State or at sea that is beyond the 
manufacturer-designated period of recommended use. 
2. Acceptance; storage; disposal. The State Fire Marshal shall accept, store and 
dispose of expired marine flares from owners of the expired marine flares or from a fire 
department that has taken possession of expired marine flares. 
3. Safety; recycling. The State Fire Marshal shall dispose of collected and stored 
expired marine flares in a safe and nonpolluting manner at temperatures that are safe 
within Department of Environmental Protection standards for preventing air pollution 
and, to the extent practicable, shall recycle the material that remains after expired marine 
flares have been incinerated. 
4. Public education. The State Fire Marshal shall provide information for the public 
regarding expired marine flares, safe procedures for storage, collection and disposal and 
Page I - 128LR0130(02)-1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A·" to H.P. 185, L.D. 252 
the dangers to public health and safety and the environment from improperly storing, 
collecting and disposing of those flares. The State Fire Marshal shall work with the 
Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the Department of Inland 
Fisheries and Wildlife, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of 
Marine Resources and the Depat1ment of Public Safety to provide information for the 
purpose of providing effective public education through the written materials and 
publicly accessible websites of those departments.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill. 
The amendment provides for the State Fire 
Marshal to establish, within existing resources, a program of storage, collection and 
disposal of expired marine flares. The amendment requires the State Fire Marshal to 
accept from owners and fire departments expired marine flares and to dispose of the 
expired flares safely. The amendment provides for public education to be undertaken by 
the State Fire Marshal in collaboration with the Depatiment of Agriculture, Conservation 
and Forest1y, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the Department of 
Environmental Protection, the Depat1ment of Marine Resources and the Department of 
Public Safety. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 03/26/17 feae 
LD252 
LR 130(02) 
An Act To Improve Safety in the Disposal of Expired Marine Flares 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'ft 
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
lH-u l j 
Any additional costs to the Depa1iment of Public Safety associated with this legislation can be absorbed within 
existing budgeted resources. 
LR0130(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1