An Act To Extend the Legal Hours for Harvesting Lobster

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 current legal times for hauling lobster traps are determined based upon sunrise and sunset; and

Whereas,  in the fall the later sunrise prevents lobster license holders from fishing most efficiently and during the calmer morning hours; and

Whereas,  it is necessary that this Act take effect before October 2017 in order to take advantage of the fall harvest and in order to allow lobster license holders to fish efficiently and safely; 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,

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6440, sub-§1,  as amended by PL 2001, c. 123, §1, is further amended to read:

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