An Act Regarding Access to Lobster Licenses
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0028
Committee Amendment CA_A_H686 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " 
to H.P. 29, L.D. 28, Bill, "An Act Regarding 
Access to Lobster Licenses" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, Directing the Department of Marine Resources To Evaluate the-Limited-
entry Lobster and Crab Fishing Licensing System' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. Limited-entry lobster zone management review. Resolved: That 
the Department of Marine Resources shall submit a report to the joint standing committee 
of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resources matters by February 15, 2021 
that evaluates the limited-entry zone policy in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, 
section 6448. The report must examine the long waiting periods for new zone entrants to 
be permitted to obtain a lobster and crab fishing license to fish in a limited-entry zone. In 
examining the waiting list for participation, the department shall consider: 
1. The current biological status of the fishery; 
2. Current exit-to-entry ratios in each limited-entry zone; 
3. Latency of licenses and trap tags; 
4. The current policy for student lobster and crab fishing licenses; and 
5. Any other factors the department finds relevant to its examination. 
The department shall also revisit the findings and recommendations made in the 
report prepared for the department by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute pursuant to 
Resolve 2011, chapter 62. The report must include recommendations regarding the long 
waiting periods for entry into a limited-entry zone. In making any recommendations, the 
department shall account for potential impacts to the lobster fishe1y as a result of any 
proposed new federal regulations to address protections for endangered right whales. The 
joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resources 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" fl" to H.P. 29, L.D. 28 
matters may report out legislation to the First Regular Session of the 130th Legislature 
based upon the report of the department.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
s 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill with a resolve and changes the title. It requires the 
Department of Marine Resources to provide the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resources matters with a report that evaluates 
the limited-entry zone system by February 15, 2021. It requires the department to 
examine the long waiting period for entry to fish in a limited-entry zone. This amendment 
requires the department, in examining the waiting list, to consider several factors, 
including, but not limited to, the current biological status of the fishery, current exit-to-
entry ratios in each limited-entry zone, latency of licenses and trap tags and the current 
policy for student lobster and crab fishing licenses. It requires the department to revisit 
the recommendations made in the report prepared for the department by the Gulf of 
Maine Research Institute pursuant to Resolve 2011, chapter 62. It requires the department 
to make recommendations regarding the long waiting period for entry into a limited-entry 
zone. It also requires the department to account for possible new federal regulations to 
address protections for endangered right whales when making any recommendations. 
Lastly, this amendment authorizes the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over marine resources matters to report out legislation to the First Regular 
Session of the 130th Legislature. 
FfSCAL ~OTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 02/13/20 frac 
LD28 
LR 249(02) 
An Act Regarding Access to Lobster Licenses 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ~,( #• ' 8' I.,) 
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 conducting an evaluation of the limited-
ent1y lobster and crab fishing licensing system and a requirement to report back on the results are anticipated to be 
minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR0249(02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of 1