CHAPTER 203

S.P. 153 - L.D. 527

An Act To Regulate the Use of Alternative Bait in Marine

Fisheries

Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, the unregulated use of animal hides and other remains as lobster bait poses significant and immediate risks to public health, lobster health and the Maine lobster industry; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

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

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6175 is enacted to read:

§6175.__Alternative bait

The commissioner may adopt rules to regulate the use of alternative bait in marine fisheries.__For the purposes of this section, "alternative bait" means any bait that does not naturally originate from the ocean.__Rules adopted pursuant to