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LD 1094

An Act To Prohibit A Person From Obtaining An Elver Dealer'S License For A Minimum Of 5 Years In Cases Of Repeat Violations Of License Conditions

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Abden Simmons

Imposes a minimum 5-year ban on obtaining an elver dealer license for repeat violations, enforced by Maine's Department of Marine Resources.

Became Law without Governor's Signature
#eels #elverfishing #fish
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Bill Summary · LD 1094

Summary — LD 1094 (132nd Maine Legislature)

Title: An Act To Prohibit a Person From Obtaining An Elver Dealer's License For A Minimum Of 5 Years In Cases Of Repeat Violations Of License Conditions
Became law without the governor’s signature: June 19, 2025
Introduced: March 14, 2025
Committee: Marine Resources
LR numbers: LR 709(02) / LR 709(03)

Purpose / Intent

The bill establishes a mandatory minimum consequence for persons who repeatedly violate the conditions of an elver dealer’s license: a prohibition on obtaining an elver dealer’s license for at least five years following repeat violations. The intent is to strengthen enforcement of licensing conditions in Maine’s elver (young American eel) fishery by removing dealer privileges from those with repeated noncompliance.

Key provisions

  • Creates a statutory bar preventing a person from obtaining an elver dealer’s license for a minimum of five years when that person is found to have committed repeat violations of the conditions of an elver dealer license.
  • Gives enforcement and implementation responsibility to the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) under existing licensing and enforcement frameworks.
  • The enacted bill was amended in committee (Committee Amendment “A” (H‑475)); the amendment was adopted prior to final passage. (The summary documents provided do not include the full text of the amendment.)

Who is affected

  • Individuals or entities who apply for or hold elver dealer licenses in Maine — particularly those found to have committed repeated violations of license conditions.
  • The Department of Marine Resources, which implements licensing, monitors compliance, and enforces the prohibition.
  • Potential indirect effects on elver harvesters/harvest markets to the extent dealer availability is reduced by enforcement actions.

Fiscal impact and implementation

  • Fiscal notes (approved 5/30/25 and 6/4/25) estimate a minor General Fund cost increase to the Department of Marine Resources.
  • The DMR indicates any additional costs to implement the changes are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.

Legislative timeline / procedural status

  • Referred to the Marine Resources Committee on March 14, 2025; work session and committee report recommending OTP‑AM (ought to pass as amended).
  • Committee Amendment “A” (H‑475) was adopted (June 4, 2025).
  • Passed by the Legislature (concurrence actions June 3–5, 2025).
  • Became law without the Governor’s signature on June 19, 2025.

Note: The summary above is based on the provided legislative and fiscal documents. For the precise statutory language defining “repeat violations,” the exact scope of prohibited conduct, and any procedural details (appeals, notice, reinstatement conditions), consult the enacted bill text and Maine statutory updates.

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

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