An Act Prohibiting Certain Confinement of Egg-laying Hens and the Sale of Their Eggs”
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 2084
Committee Amendment CA_B_H793 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT “      ” to H.P. 1485, L.D. 2084, Bill, “An Act 
Prohibiting Certain Confinement of Egg-laying Hens and the Sale of Their Eggs”
Amend the bill in section 1 in §4021 in subsection 2 in the first line (page 2, line 15 
in L.D.) by striking out the following: "2024" and inserting the following: '2029'
Amend the bill in section 1 in §4021 in subsection 2 in paragraph B in the last line 
(page 2, line 27 in L.D.) by striking out the following: "violates" and inserting the 
following: 'conflicts with the standards in'
Amend the bill in section 1 in §4021 by striking out all of subsection 3 and inserting 
the following:
'3.  Exceptions.  Subsection 2 does not apply to:
A.  A farm owner or operator or a business owner or operator who owns or leases 
fewer than 3,000 adult egg-laying hens at a given time in the State and whose egg-
laying hens' eggs will be consumed by humans; and
B.  An egg-laying hen:
(1)  While the egg-laying hen is the subject of medical research;
(2)  During the examination, testing, individual treatment of or operation on the 
egg-laying hen for veterinary purposes when performed by or under the direct 
supervision of a licensed veterinarian;
(3)  While the egg-laying hen is being transported;
(4)  At a state or county fair exhibition, 4-H event or similar exhibition;
(5)  During slaughter in accordance with any applicable laws, rules and 
regulations; and
(6)  During temporary periods for animal husbandry purposes, which may total 
no more than 6 hours in any 24-hour period and no more than 24 hours in any 30-
day period.' 
Date: 
(Filing No. H-          )
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT “      ” to H.P. 1485, L.D. 2084
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Amend the bill in section 1 in §4021 in subsection 4 in the last line (page 3, line 4 in 
L.D.) by striking out the following: "violation of" and inserting the following: 'a manner 
that conflicts with the standards in'
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively.
SUMMARY
The bill provides that:
1.  Farm owners or operators in the State may not knowingly confine an egg-laying 
hen in an enclosure that is not a cage-free housing system or in an enclosure with less 
than a certain amount of usable floor space per egg-laying hen; and
2. Business owners or operators may not knowingly sell in the State eggs from egg-
laying hens that are not kept in cage-free housing systems.
This amendment, which is the minority report, changes the date the prohibitions will 
go into effect from after December 31, 2024 to after December 31, 2029.
The amendment also provides that the prohibitions does not apply to a farm owner or 
operator or a business owner or operator who owns or leases fewer than 3,000 adult egg-
laying hens at a given time in the State and whose hens' eggs will be consumed by 
humans.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
Approved: 07/15/20
LD 2084
LR 2897(03)
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Minor cost increase - General Fund
Any additional costs to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry as a result of new requirements 
regarding the confinement of egg-laying hens and a prohibition on the sale of eggs from hens that are not kept in cage-
free housing systems after December 31, 2029 are anticipated to be minor and can be absorbed within existing 
budgeted resources.
An Act Prohibiting Certain Confinement of Egg-laying Hens and the Sale of Their Eggs
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
LR2897(03) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1