Bill
LD 1678
Overview: LD 1678, "An Act To Allocate Commercial Menhaden Fishing Licenses For Island Communities", was introduced on April 17, 2025 but has been placed in the legislative files p
Overview: LD 1678, "An Act To Allocate Commercial Menhaden Fishing Licenses For Island Communities", was introduced on April 17, 2025 but has been placed in the legislative files pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3, effectively killing the bill.
Purpose and Intent: The bill aimed to establish a dedicated allocation of commercial menhaden fishing licenses for island communities within the state. The intent was to support the economic and cultural needs of these island-based fishing communities by ensuring they had access to the valuable menhaden fishery.
Key Provisions:
- Require the state's Department of Marine Resources to set aside a certain percentage of commercial menhaden fishing licenses specifically for island communities
- Establish criteria for island communities to qualify for these dedicated licenses, such as population size, geographic isolation, and historical reliance on fishing
- Authorize the Department to develop a license application and allocation process tailored to the needs of island communities
Affected Parties and Impacts: The bill would have directly benefited the island communities within the state by guaranteeing them access to commercial menhaden fishing licenses. This would have supported the livelihoods and economies of these isolated coastal areas. Commercial menhaden fishermen not located on islands may have been impacted by the reduced overall license pool.
Procedural and Timeline Considerations: The bill was introduced in the state legislature on April 17, 2025 but was ultimately placed in the legislative files pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3, effectively killing the proposal. No further action will be taken on this bill.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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