PUBLIC Law, Chapter 52, An Act To Establish the Seaweed Fisheries Advisory Council and To Enhance the Management of the Seaweed Fishery

An Act To Establish the Seaweed Fisheries Advisory Council and To Enhance the Management of the Seaweed Fishery

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§57-H is enacted to read:

57-H.

Marine Resources

Seaweed Fisheries Advisory Council

Expenses Only

12 MRSA §6087

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6087 is enacted to read:

§ 6087. Seaweed Fisheries Advisory Council

1. Appointment; composition. The Seaweed Fisheries Advisory Council, established by Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 57-H and referred to in this section as "the council," consists of 7 members appointed by the commissioner as follows:

A. Two members who process seaweed or hold either a seaweed permit or seaweed buyer's license;

B. Two members who are seaweed aquaculture lease holders or their designees;

C. One member of the scientific community;

D. One member who harvests seaweed; and

E. One member of the public.

The commissioner shall make appointments so that the composition of the council reflects the diversity of the State's seaweed operations.

2. Purpose. The council shall:

A. Make recommendations to the commissioner on all matters concerning the health of the seaweed resource, its ecosystem and the industry it supports.

B. Make recommendations to the commissioner regarding expenditures from the Seaweed Management Fund as described in section 6806.

3. Term. The term of a member appointed to the council is 3 years, except that a vacancy during an unexpired term must be filled in the same manner as for the original member for the unexpired portion of the member's term. A member may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms.

4. Officers. The officers of the council are the chair, vice-chair and secretary. The term of the officers is one year. The council shall elect a member of the council for each officer position at the first regular meeting of each year.

5. Meeting. The council shall meet at least once a year. It may also meet at other times at the call of the commissioner.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §6806, sub-§3, as reallocated by RR 1999, c. 1, §18, is amended to read:

3. Plan required. Beginning in calendar year 2000 2018, the commissioner shall by May 1st of each year present a plan for expenditures from the fund for the next fiscal year to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resource matters. When developing the plan, the commissioner shall consult with harvesters and seaweed dealers the Seaweed Fisheries Advisory Council established in Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 57-H.

Sec. 4. Staggered terms. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 6087, subsection 3, of the initial appointments of the Seaweed Fisheries Advisory Council, the Commissioner of Marine Resources shall designate the first appointment for a one-year term, the next 2 appointments for 2-year terms and any other appointments for 3-year terms. An initial term of one or 2 years may not be considered a full term for purposes of limiting the number of terms for which a member may serve.

Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 128th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.

HP0275 LD 369	PUBLIC Law, Chapter 52 on - Session - 128th Maine Legislature
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