Resolve, To Establish a Task Force To Study the Current Status and Future Sustainability of Aquaculture in the State
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1420
Committee: Marine Resources
Sponsors: McCREIGHT, VITELLI, BEEBE-CENTER, DAUGHTRY, HEPLER, HICKMAN, RECKITT, TUELL, DOW

Legislative Document
No. 1420
H.P. 1033
House of Representatives, March 28, 2019
Resolve, To Establish a Task Force To Study the Current Status and 
Future Sustainability of Aquaculture in the State
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Marine Resources suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative McCREIGHT of Harpswell.
Cosponsored by Senator VITELLI of Sagadahoc and
Representatives: BEEBE-CENTER of Rockland, DAUGHTRY of Brunswick, HEPLER of 
Woolwich, HICKMAN of Winthrop, McDONALD of Stonington, RECKITT of South 
Portland, TUELL of East Machias, Senator: DOW of Lincoln.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, this resolve establishes the Task Force To Study the Current Status and 
Future Sustainability of Aquaculture in the State; and
Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that 
the initial report may be submitted by September 1, 2019 and the study may be completed 
and a final report submitted in time for submission to the next legislative session; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it
Sec. 1.  Task force established.  Resolved:  That the Task Force To Study the 
Current Status and Future Sustainability of Aquaculture in the State, referred to in this 
resolve as "the task force," is established.
Sec. 2.  Task force membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the task force consists of 17 members appointed as follows:
1.  Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including a 
member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;
2.  Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including a member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats 
in the Legislature;
3.  Five members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows:
A.  One member representing a nonprofit organization with interest and experience in 
aquaculture;
B.  One member representing the State of Maine Harbor Masters Association;
C.  One member representing the lobster industry or other commercial fishery 
community;
D.  One member representing a municipality with interest and experience in 
aquaculture; and
E.  One member representing an aquaculture trade association or industry group;
4.  Five members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows:
A.  One member representing a nonprofit organization with interest and experience in 
aquaculture;
B.  One member who is an experimental or standard aquaculture lease holder;
C.  One member who is an aquaculture license holder;
D.  One member representing the Maine Municipal Association; and
E.  One member representing the University of Maine System; and
5.  Three members appointed by the Governor as follows:
A.  One member representing the Department of Marine Resources;
B.  One member representing the Department of Environmental Protection; and
C.  One member representing the Department of Economic and Community 
Development.
Sec. 3.  Chairs.  Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the task 
force.
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of task force.  Resolved:  That all 
appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
resolve.  The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council once all appointments have been completed.  After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force.  If 30 days or more 
after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been 
made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority 
for the task force to meet and conduct its business.
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the task force shall meet at least 6 times and shall 
review the report from the Governor's Task Force on the Planning and Development of 
Marine Aquaculture in Maine dated January 30, 2004 and assess the status of the 
recommendations in that report.  The task force shall also:
1. Assess the current status of aquaculture in the State, including the number, increase 
and distribution of leases and licenses;
2.  Assess current production levels and production capacity;
3.  Assess environmental effects and the carrying capacity of the coastal marine 
environment;
4.  Identify aquaculture best practices;
5.  Review relationships with other fisheries;
6.  Identify current economic and workforce effects, including but not limited to 
diversification of the current workforce and workforce needs;
7.  Identify future opportunities; and
8.  Explore current and proposed community outreach and education.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Department of Marine Resources 
and the Department of Environmental Protection shall provide necessary staffing services 
to the task force.
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That the task force shall submit an interim report no 
later than September 1, 2019 and a final report no later than December 11, 2019 that 
includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Marine Resources and the Joint Standing Committee on 
Environment and Natural Resources, which may each submit legislation based on the 
report to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.  The task force shall make 
the interim and final reports available on the publicly accessible websites of the 
Department of Marine Resources and the Department of Environmental Protection.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Task Force To Study the Current Status and Future 
Sustainability of Aquaculture in the State.  The task force membership consists of 
Legislators, representatives of entities knowledgeable about or involved in aquaculture 
and representatives of state agencies, associations and commercial fisheries.  The task 
force's duties include a review of the report from the Governor's Task Force on the 
Planning and Development of Marine Aquaculture in Maine dated January 30, 2004 and 
an assessment of the current status of aquaculture in the State, current production levels 
and production capacity and environmental effects and the carrying capacity of the 
coastal marine environment, as well as an examination of aquaculture best practices, 
relationships with other fisheries, current economic and workforce effects, future 
opportunities and current and proposed community outreach and education.  The task 
force is required to submit an interim report no later than September 1, 2019 and a final 
report no later than December 11, 2019 to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine 
Resources and the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, 
which may each submit legislation based on the report to the Second Regular Session of 
the 129th Legislature.