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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,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6440, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2001, c. 123, §1, is further amended to read:
 
1. Summer.   During the period 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise from June 1st to October 31stSeptember 30th, both days inclusive, and during the period 1/2 hour after sunset until 4 a.m. from October 1st to October 31st, both days inclusive; and
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 128th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.