This bill amends the aquaculture leasing statutes by:

1. Eliminating the authority of the Commissioner of Marine Resources to establish by rule a fee schedule for the production of shellfish on a lease site;

2. Allowing a lease to continue beyond its expiration date until the commissioner makes a decision if a renewal application has been submitted;

3. Adding an individual who holds a limited-purpose aquaculture license to the list of individuals who are exempt from time of taking or possessing and minimum or maximum size requirements for organisms cultivated on the individuals' lease areas;

4. Amending the purpose of the Aquaculture Advisory Council to make recommendations on expenditures from the Aquaculture Management Fund, as well as other matters of interest to the aquaculture industry;

5. Making violation of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, chapter 605, which includes laws governing general activities, leases and special licenses, inspection and quality control, surimi or surimi products, fishways and miscellaneous activities, a civil violation, unless another penalty is provided;

6. Eliminating the upper limit of a $500 fine on the civil violation for intentionally damaging approved aquaculture gear on a limited-purpose license; and

7. Adding the same restitution provisions for intentionally damaging approved aquaculture gear on standard leases and limited-purpose leases as currently exist for limited-purpose aquaculture licenses.