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An Act To Authorize the Establishment of an Apprentice License for the Maine Scallop Fishery
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  12 MRSA §6702, sub-§7  is enacted to read:
 
7.  Apprentice license.     The department may adopt rules to establish an apprentice program for entry into the scallop fishery that includes an apprentice license for a resident who is 18 years of age or older to engage in dragging for scallops under the supervision of a person licensed under this section. The fee for an apprentice scallop dragging license is $250. The commissioner shall deposit license fees collected in this subsection into the Scallop Research Fund under section 6729-A. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6706, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2011, c. 237, §2, is further amended to read:
 
3. Scallop license limited entry system.   Notwithstanding subsection 2, the commissioner shall establish by rule a limited entry system under which a person who did not hold a hand fishing scallop license or a scallop dragging license in the previous calendar year may become eligible to obtain that license. The rules for a limited entry system must include provisions for the method and administration of the programsystem. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantiveroutine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §6729, sub-§1, ¶B, as amended by PL 2007, c. 607, Pt. A, §12, is further amended to read:
 
B. For a scallop draggers license, $100, plus an additional $250 to sponsor an apprentice pursuant to section 6702, subsection 7;
Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §6729-A, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2007, c. 607, Pt. A, §13, is further amended to read:
 
1. Uses of fund.   The commissioner shall use the fund for research directly related to scallop fishery management information needs, for implementation of scallop management measures and, for reporting to licensed scallop harvesters on the results of research and the use of fund revenues and for the administration of an apprentice program established pursuant to section 6702, subsection 7. The commissioner may authorize the expenditure of money in the fund for research and development programs that address the restoration, development or conservation of scallop resources. The commissioner shall consult with the Scallop Advisory Council under section 6729-B before deciding upon research projects and awarding grants from the fund. The fund may also be used for support of the Scallop Advisory Council, including reimbursement for travel expenses.
Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §6729-A, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 319, §2, is amended to read:
 
2. Sources of revenue.   The fund is capitalized by license fees and surcharges assessed under section 6702, subsection 7 and section 6729. In addition to those revenues, the commissioner may accept and deposit in the fund money from any other source, public or private.
Sec. 6. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
MARINE RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF
 
Bureau of Marine Science 0027
 
Initiative: Provides an ongoing allocation for the administration of an apprentice license program, research and development programs that address the restoration, development or conservation of scallop resources.

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2019-20	2020-21	
All Other	$0	$25,000	
			
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$0	$25,000	

Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 129th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.