131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1342		LR 552(03)
	An Act to Increase Funding for the Prevention and Control of Invasive Aquatic Species
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with: C "A" (H-849)
	Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Fiscal Note
			FY 2023-24	FY 2024-25	Projections  FY 2025-26	Projections  FY 2026-27
Appropriations/Allocations
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$0	$1,161,687	$1,161,687	$1,161,687
Revenue
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$0	$1,161,687	$1,161,687	$1,161,687
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	Beginning January 1, 2025, this bill increases the portion of the fees paid when registering watercraft for operating on the inland waters of the State from $15 to $25 for invasive species prevention and control. The bill also increases the fee paid for lake and river protection stickers required for nonresident motorboats, personal watercraft and seaplanes operating on inland waters of the State from $45 to $60.  Beginning January 1, 2028, these fees increase from $25 to $35 for resident and from $60 to $75 for nonresidents.  The bill also changes references in statute so that all revenues from the sale of lake and river protection stickers are divided 70% to the Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species Fund within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and 30% to the Lake and River Protection Fund within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW).
	The increased invasive species prevention and control fees will generate revenue of $533,345 for the IFW and $628,342 for the DEP for the fiscal years 2024-25 through 2026-27. These amounts will increase again as the new higher prices come into effect in fiscal year 2027-28. This estimate was generated by using the average number of registrations and annual revenues to both funds. The bill includes allocations of those amounts to the IFW and the DEP to allow expenditure of the additional revenue.