APPROVED CHAPTER
JULY 27, 2023 466
BY GOVERNOR PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-THREE
_____
S.P. 615 - L.D. 1552
An Act to Create the Lobster Innovation Fund
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA c. 619, sub-c. 4-A, headnote is amended to read:
SUBCHAPTER 4-A
LOBSTER RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT FUND AND
LOBSTER INNOVATION FUND
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6465, first ¶, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 623, §1, is amended to
read:
The Lobster Research, Education and Development Fund, referred to in this subchapter
section as "the "fund," is established in the department. Balances in the fund may not lapse
and must be carried forward and used for the purposes of this section.
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §6466 is enacted to read:
§6466. Lobster Innovation Fund
The Lobster Innovation Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established in
the department. The fund consists of money received as appropriations and contributions
from public and private sources. Balances in the fund may not lapse and must be carried
forward. The fund must be used to provide stipends to holders of Class I, Class II or Class
III lobster fishing licenses to participate in the testing of new lobster fishing technologies.
Sec. 4. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made.
MARINE RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF
Lobster Innovation Fund N439
Initiative: Provides a one-time appropriation to provide stipends to holders of Class I, Class
II or Class III commercial lobster fishing licenses to participate in the testing of new lobster
fishing technologies.
Page 1 - 131LR0171(06)
GENERAL FUND 2023-24 2024-25
All Other $0 $50,000
__________ __________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $0 $50,000
Lobster Innovation Fund N439
Initiative: Provides a base allocation for outside funding received for stipends to holders of
Class I, Class II or Class III commercial lobster fishing licenses to participate in the testing
of new lobster fishing technologies.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 2023-24 2024-25
All Other $500 $500
__________ __________
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL $500 $500
MARINE RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF
DEPARTMENT TOTALS 2023-24 2024-25
GENERAL FUND $0 $50,000
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS $500 $500
__________ __________
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS $500 $50,500
Page 2 - 131LR0171(06)

Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 1552, SP 615: 12.6465
Bill Text ACTPUB , Chapter 466: 12.6465