An Act To Establish a Temporary Tetminal Condition Medical Allowance for Lobster and Crab Fishing License Holders
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0340
Committee Amendment CA_A_H70 (House)
Amends: 12 MRSA §6450

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 266, L.D. 340, Bill, "An Act To 
Establish a Temporary Tetminal Condition Medical Allowance for Lobster and Crab 
Fishing License Holders" 
Amend the bill by strildng out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Clarify the Temporary Medical Allowance Relating to Lobster and Crab 
Fishing Licenses' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6450, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2017, c. 352, §1, is further 
amended to read: 
1. Temporary medical allowance .. Notwithstanding section 6421, upon request the 
commissioner may issue a temporary medical allowance that permits an individual to fish 
under the authority of the license of a Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing 
license holder but not undsr ths licsnss holdsr's dirnot supervision when that license 
holder is unable to fish if the following criteria are met: 
A. The individual who will be fishing has successfully completed an apprentice 
program under section 6422; 
B. The individual who will be fishing is the child ef.,_ spouse or domestic partner of 
the individual who holds the Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing 
license; 
C. The holder of the Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license is 
unable to use that license, all or part of the time, due to a substantial illness or 
medical condition. The holder of the Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab 
fishing license shall provide the commissioner with documentation from a physician 
describing the illness or other medical condition; and 
D. The holder of the Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license 
documents to the commissioner thatthe license holder harvested a minimum of 1,000 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT i\ "to H.P. 266, L.D. 340 
pounds of lobsters within one year1 prior to the request for the temporary medical 
allowance. 
A request for a temporary medical allowance must be in writing and must specify the 
dates for which the temporary medical allowance is requested. The holder of the Class I, 
Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license on which the temporary medical 
allowance is based must maintain a valid license during the duration of the temporary 
medical allowance. The holder of the Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab 
fishing license is liable for the activities of the individual fishing under the temporary 
medical allowance, whether or not the license holder is present on the vessel.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill and changes the title. It clarifies that a lobster and 
crab fishing license holder who has a substantial illness or medical condition and has 
been granted a temporary medical allowance may continue to fish under the license as 
long as the license holder does not fish concurrently with the individual authorized to fish 
under the authority of that license holder through the temporary medical allowance. It 
adds domestic partners to the list of individuals authorized to fish under this provision. It 
also clarifies that the license holder is liable for the activities of the individual fishing 
under the temporary medical allowance whether or not the license holder is present on the 
vessel. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 03/01/19 feac:. 
LD340 
LR 5(02) 
An Act To Establish a Temporary Terminal Condition Medical Allowance for Lobster and Crab 
Fishing License Holders 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment r\' { H -7 0) 
Committee: Marine Resources 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Any additional costs incurred by the Department of Marine Resources as a result of changes to the rules regarding 
temporary medical allowances for lobster and crab fishing licensees are anticipated to be minor and can be absorbed 
within existing budgeted resources, 
LR0005(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1