An Act To Create a Subcommittee of the Interagency Task Force on Invasive Aquatic Plants and Nuisance Species To Recommend Ways To Reduce the Threat of Further Infestations
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1826
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Sponsors: HASENFUS, WARREN
Amends: 38 MRSA §1871

Legislative Document
No. 1826
H.P. 1359
House of Representatives, December 17, 2021
An Act To Create a Subcommittee of the Interagency Task Force on 
Invasive Aquatic Plants and Nuisance Species To Recommend Ways 
To Reduce the Threat of Further Infestations
(EMERGENCY)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203.
Received by the Clerk of the House on December 15, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Environment and Natural Resources pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant 
to Joint Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative HASENFUS of Readfield.
Cosponsored by Representative: WARREN of Hallowell.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the increasing presence of invasive aquatic plants in lakes in this State is an 
issue of immediate concern; and
Whereas, ensuring that the subcommittee of the Interagency Task Force on Invasive 
Aquatic Plants and Nuisance Species can begin meeting before and during the summer 
months will allow it to observe and respond more readily to invasive aquatic plants; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  38 MRSA §1871, sub-§7 is enacted to read:
7.  Subcommittee.  The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall establish 
a subcommittee of task force members and persons with relevant experience or expertise 
designated by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee to make findings and 
recommendations, including any suggested legislation, in accordance with this subsection.  
Beginning December 15, 2022, and biennially thereafter, the subcommittee shall submit a 
report with its findings and recommendations, including any suggested legislation, to the 
department and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
environment and natural resources matters regarding the following:
A. Methods to expedite and improve the process for treating lakes infested with 
invasive aquatic plants with newly developed herbicide treatments or vegetation 
removal processes;
B. Methods to expedite and improve restrictions limiting the use of watercraft on areas 
of lakes infested with invasive aquatic plants;
C. The feasibility of requiring inspections of watercraft put into or taken out of lakes 
infested with invasive aquatic plants or lakes identified by the department to be at risk 
of infestation; and
D. The permit requirements for recreational and sporting events held on lakes infested 
with invasive aquatic plants or lakes identified by the department to be at risk of 
infestation.
The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over environment and 
natural resources matters may report out legislation related to the biennial report to any 
legislative session.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill directs the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to establish a 
subcommittee of members of the Interagency Task Force on Invasive Aquatic Plants and 
Nuisance Species and other persons with relevant experience or expertise in order to make 
findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, regarding the treatment 
and protection of lakes infested with invasive aquatic plants or lakes at risk of infestation.  
Beginning December 15, 2022, the task force is required to report biennially to the 
department and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
environment and natural resources matters.  The committee is authorized to report out 
legislation relating to the report to any legislative session.