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LD 64

An Act To Eliminate The Cultchless American Oyster Growers License

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tiffany Strout

The bill eliminates the Cultchless American Oyster Growers License and requires DMR to update licensing rules accordingly.

Signed by Governor
#growerslicenses #oyster #shellfish
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Bill Summary · LD 64

Summary — LD 64: An Act To Eliminate The Cultchless American Oyster Growers License

Purpose

LD 64 eliminates the specific license category known as the “Cultchless American Oyster Growers License.” The bill’s intent is to remove this distinct licensing classification from Maine’s shellfish/growers license framework administered by the Department of Marine Resources (DMR).

Key provisions

  • Removes the statutory authorization for the Cultchless American Oyster Growers License (i.e., the separate license category is repealed).
  • Requires the Department of Marine Resources to adopt any needed implementing changes to reflect the elimination of the license category. (The enacted bill includes a committee amendment—H-346—that was adopted.)
  • No fiscal provisions (fees, new funding, or allocations) are specified in the available documents.

Note: The bill text itself is not included in the materials provided. The summary above is limited to the changes indicated by the bill title, legislative actions, and fiscal notes.

Who is affected

  • Oyster growers currently using, or eligible for, the cultchless American oyster growers license will be the primary group affected. Elimination of the license category may change how such growers are licensed or regulated.
  • The Department of Marine Resources will need to update licensing rules, forms, databases, and guidance to reflect the change.
  • Enforcement and compliance entities that rely on license categories for monitoring or reporting may need to adjust procedures.

Fiscal impact

  • Fiscal notes (approved 05/08/25 and 06/02/25) estimate a minor General Fund cost increase for DMR to implement the change. Those costs are expected to be minor and absorbable within existing DMR budgeted resources.

Legislative timeline and status

  • Introduced: January 6, 2025; referred to the Marine Resources Committee.
  • Committee action: Work session held; reported out “Ought to Pass as Amended” (OTP‑AM). Committee Amendment A (H‑346) was adopted.
  • Floor action: Passed to be engrossed as amended, concurred, and passed to be enacted.
  • Signed by the Governor: June 10, 2025 — the bill is enacted.
  • Implementation details (effective date, transitional provisions for current license holders) are not included in the provided documents. Affected parties should consult the DMR for regulatory guidance and any transitional instructions.

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

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