Bill

Bill > LD325


ME LD325

ME LD325
An Act Related to the Disbursement of Revenue Generated from the Harvesting of River Herring


summary

Introduced
01/30/2025
In Committee
01/30/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/20/2025

Introduced Session

132nd Legislature

Bill Summary

This bill specifies that funds from the Migratory Fish Fund must be distributed to municipalities that have existing river herring harvesting rights as well as to municipalities where there is a known river herring migration, at the discretion of the Commissioner of Marine Resources. The bill also directs the Department of Marine Resources to study how to equitably distribute funds from the Migratory Fish Fund to municipalities and to report back to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources. The committee is authorized to report out a bill based on the report to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.

AI Summary

This bill modifies the existing law regarding the Migratory Fish Fund, which collects fees from river herring leasing rights. The bill expands the allowable uses of the fund to include direct disbursement to municipalities that either have river herring harvesting rights or are known locations of river herring migration. Specifically, the bill adds a new provision allowing municipalities to receive these funds and potentially donate them to programs aimed at restoring or protecting river herring environments. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Marine Resources conduct a comprehensive study on how to equitably distribute funds from the Migratory Fish Fund to municipalities. By December 3, 2025, the department is required to submit a report with its findings and potential legislative recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources, which is authorized to introduce a bill based on these findings during the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature. The overall goal appears to be supporting river herring conservation, research, and environmental protection while ensuring fair distribution of related funds to affected municipalities.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Ought Not to Pass Pursuant To Joint Rule 310, Mar 20, 2025 (on 03/20/2025)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...