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LD 816

An Act Regarding The Emptying Of Elver Fyke Nets

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Holly Eaton and 8 co-sponsors

LD 816 updates elver fyke net emptying rules in Maine's eel fishery; enacted as an emergency measure with minor DMR costs and immediate impact on elver fishers.

Signed by Governor
#eels #elverfishing #fish
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 816

Summary of LD 816: An Act Regarding The Emptying Of Elver Fyke Nets

Overview

LD 816 is a Maine Legislature bill titled “An Act Regarding The Emptying Of Elver Fyke Nets.” Introduced on February 27, 2025 and intended to address procedures related to the emptying of elver fyke nets used in eel/fishery operations. The bill was enacted as an emergency measure and was signed by the Governor on April 18, 2025, taking effect in the applicable emergency manner.

Purpose and Intent

  • The primary purpose is to modify or clarify the process for emptying elver fyke nets. The provided materials do not include the exact text of the provisions, but the bill is framed around the procedure for emptying these nets in the elver eel fishery.
  • By designating the measure as an emergency, the Legislature sought to implement changes quickly, signaling that the matter is considered urgent for fisheries management or compliance purposes.

Key Provisions (High-Level)

  • The bill modifies the emptying process for elver fyke nets. The specific operational requirements (e.g., timing, frequency, handling, reporting, or enforcement mechanisms) are not detailed in the available summaries.
  • The enacted version is treated as an emergency measure, which typically affects how the bill becomes law and when its provisions take effect.

Note: The provided documents do not include the full enacted text, so the exact procedural changes are not described here. The fiscal notes indicate the bill would not impose substantial new costs beyond minor adjustments.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR): Expected to implement or administer the changes; fiscal notes indicate minor, absorbable costs to the department.
  • Elver fishers and operators using elver fyke nets: Potentially subject to new or clarified emptying requirements, reporting, or handling procedures as dictated by the enacted measure.
  • General fishery regulatory framework: Any changes would be incorporated into current eel/elver regulatory programs overseen by the DMR.

Fiscal Impact

  • Both fiscal notes (Engrossed and Original) indicate a minor cost increase to the General Fund.
  • Costs are expected to be absorbable within existing DMR resources and budgeted operations; no large new program funding is anticipated.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduction: February 27, 2025
  • Committee: Marine Resources
  • Work Session: March 13, 2025
  • Passed Out of Committee: March 28, 2025 (OTP)
  • Floor Actions: April 1–10, 2025 (including passage to be engrossed and concurrence steps)
  • Emergency Status: Designated as an emergency measure; required a two-thirds vote for enactment
  • Final Status: Signed by Governor on April 18, 2025
  • Enactment: Effective immediately or as otherwise specified by the emergency provision (typical for emergency bills)

Additional Context

  • The bill’s status as emergency legislation reflects a sense of urgency in addressing elver fyke net emptying procedures.
  • The exact statutory text detailing the new requirements is not included in the provided materials; for precise obligations, refer to the enrolled bill text or the Maine Legislature’s official publications.

If you’d like, I can summarize the exact statutory language once the enrolled bill text is available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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