An Act to Create a Green Crab Only Wholesale Dealer License
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1503
Committee: Marine Resources
Sponsors: GOLEK, MOORE
Amends: 12 MRSA §6866

Legislative Document
No. 1503
H.P. 987
House of Representatives, April 8, 2025
An Act to Create a Green Crab Only Wholesale Dealer License
Reference to the Committee on Marine Resources suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative GOLEK of Harpswell.
Cosponsored by Senator MOORE of Washington and
Representatives: EATON of Deer Isle, FARRIN of Jefferson, HEPLER of Woolwich, RIELLY 
of Westbrook, SIMMONS of Waldoboro, STROUT of Harrington, THORNE of Carmel.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  12 MRSA §6866 is enacted to read:
§6866.  Green crab only wholesale dealer license
1.  Definition.  For the purposes of this section, unless the context indicates otherwise, 
"green crab" means the species Carcinus maenas. 
2.  License required.  A person may not engage in the activities authorized under this 
section without a current: 
A. Green crab only wholesale dealer license established by this section; or
B. Wholesale seafood license pursuant to section 6851. 
3.  License activities.  The holder of a green crab only wholesale dealer license may, 
in wholesale trade, buy, sell, process, ship or transport green crabs purchased directly from 
harvesters in this State.  A holder of a green crab only wholesale dealer license when buying 
directly from a harvester may buy only from a harvester who possesses a license or permit 
to harvest green crabs required under this Part.  The harvester shall make the applicable 
marine resources license or permit available for inspection upon the green crab only 
wholesale dealer license holder's request.  
4.  License fee.  The fee for a green crab only wholesale dealer license is $50. 
5.  Violation.  A person who engages in activities authorized under subsection 3 
without a license specified in subsection 2 is subject to a penalty established by the 
department.  The department may revoke or suspend a green crab only wholesale dealer 
license for violation of this section. 
6.  Sunset.  This section is repealed January 1, 2031. 
7.  Review.  Prior to the repeal of this section pursuant to subsection 6, the department 
shall conduct a review of the effectiveness of the green crab only wholesale dealer license 
and submit a report to the 134th Legislature in 2030.  The report must include the 
department's recommendations concerning possible continuation or modification of the 
green crab only wholesale dealer license.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes a green crab only wholesale dealer license that allows a license 
holder to, in wholesale trade, buy, sell, process, ship or transport green crabs purchased 
directly from harvesters in this State.  Current law allows a person to engage in these 
activities under a wholesale seafood license, which has a minimum license fee of $192.75.  
The license fee for a green crab only wholesale dealer license is $50. 
The bill provides that a person who engages in these activities without a proper license 
is subject to a penalty established by the Department of Marine Resources, and the 
department may suspend or revoke the license. 
The bill includes a sunset provision, which repeals the legislation January 1, 2031.  The 
bill directs the department to conduct a review of the effectiveness of the green crab only 
wholesale dealer license prior to the repeal date.  The department is required to submit to 
the 134th Legislature in 2030 a report of the review, including any recommendations to 
continue or modify the license.