Bill > LD1279

This bill establishes the Biotoxin Testing of Cultured Scallops Pilot Program, which will run until December 31, 2027, under the oversight of the Maine Department of Marine Resources. The program aims to conduct biotoxin testing on whole cultured scallops or their roe using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a sophisticated analytical chemistry technique that separates and identifies specific components in mixtures. The department will provide logistical support to commercial scallop aquaculture businesses, including transporting samples to testing sites. The testing will not be conducted on scallops grown on limited-purpose aquaculture license sites. The department is required to submit annual reports by January 1, 2027, and January 1, 2028, detailing the number of businesses using the testing, the program's impact on the scallop aquaculture industry, and recommendations for future improvements. The bill allocates $50,000 from the General Fund for each of the fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to support the pilot program, and the legislative committee with jurisdiction over marine resources may propose a bill based on the 2028 report.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1279&snum=132