PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
Amend the bill in section 1 in section 1805 by striking out all of subsections 1 and 2 and inserting the following:
 
‘1.  Eelgrass Mapping Fund.     The Eelgrass Mapping Fund is created within the department as a nonlapsing dedicated fund to support the establishment and administration of the eelgrass mapping program required under this section. The fund may accept revenue from grants, bequests, gifts or contributions from any source, public or private.
 
2.  Mapping schedule.     The mapping of eelgrass beds required under this section must be conducted in accordance with the following schedule.
 
A.  No later than November 1, 2020, mapping must be completed for that portion of the coast from St. George to Brooklin and must be updated every 5 years thereafter.
 
B.  No later than November 1, 2021, mapping must be completed for that portion of the coast from Brooklin to Jonesport and must be updated every 5 years thereafter.
 
C.  No later than November 1, 2022, mapping must be completed for that portion of the coast from Jonesport to Calais and must be updated every 5 years thereafter.
 
D.  No later than November 1, 2023, mapping must be completed for that portion of the coast from Kittery to Phippsburg and must be updated every 5 years thereafter.
 
E. No later than November 1, 2024, mapping must be completed for that portion of the coast from Phippsburg to St. George and must be updated every 5 years thereafter.’
Amend the bill by adding after section 1 the following:
‘Sec. . Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF
 
Eelgrass Mapping Fund N302
 
Initiative: Provides an allocation to accept grants, bequests, gifts or contributions from any source, public or private, to support the administration of the eelgrass mapping program.

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2019-20	2020-21	
All Other	$500	$500	
			
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$500	$500	

Water Quality 0248
 
Initiative: Provides appropriations for one Biologist II position and one Environmental Technician position and All Other costs.

GENERAL FUND	2019-20	2020-21	
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT	2.000	2.000	
Personal Services	$107,250	$147,290	
All Other	$6,050	$6,050	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$113,300	$153,340	

Water Quality 0248
 
Initiative: Provides appropriations for aerial imagery acquisition and processing and annual equipment maintenance and replacement.

GENERAL FUND	2019-20	2020-21	
All Other	$124,400	$117,500	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$124,400	$117,500	

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF			
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2019-20	2020-21	
			
GENERAL FUND	$237,700	$270,840	
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	$500	$500	
			
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$238,200	$271,340	
 
’
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section number to read consecutively.
 
SUMMARY
This amendment creates the Eelgrass Mapping Fund to support the establishment and administration of the eelgrass mapping program required under the bill and authorizes the fund to accept grants, bequests, gifts or contributions from any source, public or private. The amendment also revises the mapping schedule for the mapping of eelgrass beds as proposed in the bill and adds an appropriations and allocations section.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)