Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation to Expend Funds for Ocean Commerce in Casco Bay

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

Whereas,  the 120th Legislature appropriated $1,000,000 from the proceeds of the sale of the Portland Drydock for certain purposes identified in Public Law 2001, chapter 83, Part A, section 6; and

Whereas,  the identified purposes included the establishment of a dredging and marine infrastructure loan fund; and

Whereas,  the Department of Transportation executed a Letter of Agreement with Coastal Enterprises, Inc. to administer the $1,000,000 Working Waterfront Loan Fund to be used in Portland Harbor; and

Whereas,  the fund has never achieved the goals originally identified; and

Whereas,  the original intent of the fund would be best served by expanding the availability of the funds to other users for other purposes; 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

Sec. 1. Working Waterfront Loan Fund. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Public Law 2001, chapter 83, Part A, section 6, the uses of the Working Waterfront Loan Fund must be expanded beyond the uses identified in Public Law 2001, chapter 83, Part A, section 6. No less than $500,000 of the funds may be used for grants to support the operations of the Portland Fish Pier Authority; and be it further

Sec. 2. Amend agreement. Resolved: That the Department of Transportation shall amend any agreement to administer the Working Waterfront Loan Fund, including the Letter of Agreement between the Department of Transportation and Coastal Enterprises, Inc., dated August 30, 2001 and amended on October 30, 2002, to carry out the intent of this legislation; and be it further

Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That the Department of Transportation shall report back to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation no later than November 15, 2007 on its efforts to carry out the intent of this legislation.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.

summary

This resolve requires the Department of Transportation to expand funds from the Working Waterfront Loan Fund to include grants to the Portland Fish Pier Authority for the purpose of supporting commercial fishing in Maine.