Bill > LD76

This bill modifies the existing statute governing the fish hatchery maintenance fund to expand its permissible uses. Specifically, the bill allows the fund to be used to pay for overtime personnel services when overtime is operationally necessary for fish stocking and other hatchery-related work. Previously, the fund could only be used for engineering designs, facility assessments, maintenance, repairs, and capital improvements at fish hatcheries. The bill explicitly prohibits using the fund for general operating costs, with the exception of the newly allowed overtime personnel services. The fund, which is established in the state department and can receive monetary gifts and donations from public and private sources, remains a nonlapsing fund, meaning any unspent money does not revert to the general fund at the end of the fiscal year. This change will provide more flexibility in managing fish hatchery operations by allowing overtime costs to be covered through the maintenance fund when operational needs require additional staffing.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=76&snum=132