Resolve, To Study the Need for a Standard Formula for the Horsepower of Motors Used on the Lakes and Ponds of the State

Sec. 1. Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to create working group to study horsepower of watercraft motors on lakes and ponds. Resolved: That the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall create a working group of interested parties to study the horsepower of watercraft motors used on lakes and ponds in the State pursuant to the department's authority under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 13051, subsection 5 to determine the need for a standard formula for determining maximum horsepower based upon the activity the watercraft are engaged in, the size of the lake or pond, interference with other users and uses of the lake or pond not requiring a watercraft motor and other related factors. The working group must include owners of property on lakes and ponds, persons representing fishing interests and users of lakes and ponds who use motorized watercraft and users who do not use motorized watercraft; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That, by December 2, 2015, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall submit a report and any recommended legislation from the working group under section 1 to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife may report out legislation based upon the report to the Second Regular Session of the 127th Legislature.

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to create a working group to study and recommend legislation regarding the need for a standard formula for determining maximum horsepower for motorized watercraft on lakes and ponds in the State. The department is directed to submit the report and any recommended legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife by December 2, 2015.