An Act to Enhance Protections for and Better Address Invasive Aquatic Plant Infestations in Inland Waters of the State
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 2141
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Sponsors: HASENFUS, HICKMAN, ARATA, BRIDGEO, CRAVEN, DILL, DOUDERA, MORIARTY, CURRY, NANGLE
Amends: 38 MRSA §1862

Legislative Document
No. 2141
H.P. 1365
House of Representatives, January 3, 2024
An Act to Enhance Protections for and Better Address Invasive 
Aquatic Plant Infestations in Inland Waters of the State
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203.
Reference to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative HASENFUS of Readfield.
Cosponsored by Senator HICKMAN of Kennebec and
Representatives: ARATA of New Gloucester, BRIDGEO of Augusta, CRAVEN of Lewiston, 
DILL of Old Town, DOUDERA of Camden, MORIARTY of Cumberland, Senators: CURRY 
of Waldo, NANGLE of Cumberland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  38 MRSA §1862, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 434, Pt. A, §7, is 
amended to read:
1.  Program.  The commissioner and the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and 
Wildlife jointly shall implement a program to inspect watercraft, watercraft trailers and 
outboard motors at or near the border of the State and at boat launching sites for the 
presence of invasive aquatic plants; to monitor inland waters of the State known to have 
invasive aquatic plants; and to provide educational materials to the public and to watercraft 
owners regarding invasive aquatic plants and surface use restrictions.
Sec. 2.  38 MRSA §1862, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 434, Pt. A, §7, is 
amended by amending the first blocked paragraph to read:
The program in 2002 and subsequent years must be at a level of effort determined by the 
commissioner and the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in consultation with 
the Interagency Task Force on Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species, as established 
in section 1871. The program must include a review of watercraft inspection protocols and 
surface use restrictions on inland waters of the State with invasive aquatic plants.
Sec. 3.  Commissioners to study watercraft inspection protocols and surface 
use restrictions on inland waters of the State with invasive aquatic plants; 
review of protocols and restrictions. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection 
and the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall review watercraft inspection 
protocols and surface use restrictions on inland waters of the State known to have invasive 
aquatic plants and make recommendations related to how these protocols and restrictions 
could be strengthened. The commissioners shall also evaluate how information about 
restrictions is communicated to members of the public. By January 1, 2025, the 
commissioners shall submit a report, including any suggested legislation, to the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over inland fisheries and wildlife 
matters on their findings and recommendations with respect to watercraft inspection 
protocols and surface use restrictions on inland waters of the State with invasive aquatic 
plants and how information on restrictions is communicated to members of the public. The 
committee may report out legislation based on the report to the 132nd Legislature in 2025.
Sec. 4.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF
Water Quality 0248
Initiative: Provides one-time funding to the Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species 
Fund to address aquatic plant infestations as authorized by the Maine Revised Statutes, 
Title 38, section 1863.
GENERAL FUND
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$2,000,000
$0
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$2,000,000
$0
SUMMARY
This bill appropriates $2,000,000 to the Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species 
Fund to address the most serious aquatic plant infestations in inland waters of the State.  It 
requires the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Inland 
Fisheries and Wildlife to review and recommend more stringent watercraft inspection 
protocols on infested inland waters of the State and to review surface use restrictions and 
notification of those restrictions to members of the public.