Bill > LD115

This bill establishes an impact fee system for megayachts in Maine, defining megayachts as privately owned pleasure vessels at least 150 feet long. The bill requires municipalities that collect slip fees to charge an impact fee of $10 per foot of length over 150 feet for each day a megayacht is docked, up to 30 consecutive days. Certain types of vessels are exempt from this definition, including commercial fishing vessels, research vessels, military vessels, and vessels owned by academic institutions. Municipalities can retain 10% of the collected fees, with the remaining 90% transferred to a newly created Megayacht Fund managed by the Department of Environmental Protection. The fund will allocate 50% of its resources to support harbor infrastructure and sea level rise mitigation, and the other 50% to support public transit infrastructure, including ferries and land-based transportation. The Department of Environmental Protection is authorized to develop rules for implementing and managing these fees, which are classified as routine technical rules. This legislation aims to generate revenue from large luxury vessels while supporting critical maritime and transportation infrastructure in the state.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=115&snum=132