Resolve, to Reestablish and Continue the Work of the Blue Economy
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1023
Sponsors: DUSON, RIELLY

Legislative Document
No. 1023
S.P. 441
In Senate, March 13, 2025
Resolve, to Reestablish and Continue the Work of the Blue Economy 
Task Force
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on March 12, 2025.  Referred to the Committee on 
Housing and Economic Development pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator DUSON of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative RIELLY of Westbrook and
Senators: BENNETT of Oxford, LAWRENCE of York, MOORE of Washington, RENY of 
Lincoln, TALBOT ROSS of Cumberland, Representatives: HEPLER of Woolwich, STOVER 
of Boothbay.
Sec. 1. Task force established. Resolved: That the Department of Economic and 
Community Development shall convene the Blue Economy Task Force, referred to in this 
resolve as "the task force," to support Maine's emergence as a center for blue economy 
innovation and opportunity in the 21st century.  As used in this resolve, "blue economy" 
means business sectors that rely on the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic 
health, improved livelihoods, jobs or ecosystem health.
Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force must consist of no 
less than 13 members, including representatives of public and private research institutions, 
businesses that are innovating in various blue economy sectors, fisheries businesses, 
aquaculture businesses and equity investors in blue economy businesses, the President of 
the Maine Technology Institute or the president's designee and a member of a state 
commission dedicated to working waterfront issues. A majority of the task force 
membership must represent either blue economy businesses or entities directly involved in 
the commercialization of blue economy-related research and innovation.
Sec. 3. Consultation. Resolved: That the task force, in conducting its duties under 
section 4, shall consult with individuals and entities involved in the blue economy, 
including, but not limited to:
1. Relevant state agencies, including the Department of Marine Resources, the Office 
of Policy Innovation and the Future and the State Economist;
2. Publicly funded institutions, including the Maine Maritime Academy, the University 
of Maine's MARINE initiative, the University of Maine's Aquaculture Research Institute, 
the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center and the University of Maine's Maine Sea Grant;
3. Trade associations that represent businesses within the blue economy; 
4. Businesses that build boats or manage boatyards, representatives of businesses that 
develop marine technologies, products and services, including innovative and emerging 
technology, and representatives of businesses that engage in marine construction or marine 
engineering;
5. Blue economy investors representing different stages and scale of business 
investment; 
6. Representatives of the Seafood Economic Accelerator for Maine, or SEA Maine, 
and individuals involved in developing the Maine Aquaculture Roadmap and the Offshore 
Wind Roadmap; 
7. Representatives of federally recognized Indian tribes in the State; and
8. Representatives of organizations engaged in conservation and sustainable coastal 
and island development.
Sec. 4. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall develop a report that outlines the 
sectors of the State's blue economy and existing economic development plans or strategies 
for blue economy sectors and identifies opportunities where the State can enhance or 
facilitate the growth and scaling of blue economy businesses. The report developed under 
this section must include the following:
1. For sectors within the State's blue economy with an existing economic development 
plan, strategy or roadmap, an overview of that economic development plan, strategy or 
roadmap and an identification of any recommendations that could enhance or facilitate 
growth of those sectors. Recommendations made by the task force in its report under 
section 6 may not be inconsistent with, and must build upon, any recommendations 
identified under this subsection;
2. An identification of strategies within the Maine Economic Development Strategy 
and Maine Won't Wait climate action plan that are important to businesses in the blue 
economy; 
3. Workforce development, including the development of education and training 
programs of direct relevance to the blue economy, especially in higher education; 
4. The prioritization of investments in blue economy research, development and 
commercialization by existing state development and finance programs; and 
5. The creation of a design for a proposed Center for a Blue Economy that continues 
stakeholder engagement, develops resources for industry and creates an action plan based 
on the recommendations in the report submitted pursuant to Resolve 2023, chapter 119, 
section 6. 
In conducting its duties under this section, to the extent practicable, the task force shall 
focus on business opportunities, economic growth and research and technology transfers, 
including growth opportunities for businesses in the State, as well as opportunities to attract 
businesses from elsewhere to expand operations in the State.
Sec. 5. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Maine Office of Community Affairs 
shall provide staffing assistance to the task force.
Sec. 6. Report. Resolved: That the task force shall submit a written report to the 
Governor and the Joint Standing Committee on Housing and Economic Development, 
including its findings and recommendations developed under section 4, no later than 
February 1, 2026.  The joint standing committee may report out legislation based on the 
findings and recommendations in the report to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd 
Legislature.
SUMMARY
This resolve reestablishes the Blue Economy Task Force, which was previously 
established by the 131st Legislature in 2023.  The task force is charged with developing a 
report that outlines the sectors of the State's blue economy and existing economic 
development plans or strategies for blue economy sectors and identifies opportunities 
where the State can enhance or facilitate the growth and scaling of blue economy 
businesses, including the creation of a design for a proposed Center for a Blue Economy.  
The task force is required to submit a written report by February 1, 2026 to the Governor 
and the Joint Standing Committee on Housing and Economic Development, which may 
report out legislation based on the findings and recommendations in the report to the