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MaineLD 144132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Create a Limited Retail Seafood Harvester Certificate

Sponsored By: Cameron D. Reny (Democratic)

Became Law

COMMERCIAL FISHINGCOMMERCIAL FISHING - LICENSES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Fees and fines for seafood sellers

Beginning May 23, 2025, a retail seafood license costs $100. An enhanced retail certificate costs $100, and a limited retail seafood harvester certificate costs $50; those certificate fees go to the Shellfish Fund. If you break the rules, a court can order a forfeiture of $100 to $500 per violation.

Free species endorsements and sanitation rules

Beginning May 23, 2025, if you buy directly from a harvester who must file electronic reports, you must get a free endorsement for each species. The department sets sanitation, handling, transport, records, labeling, and public health rules for license and certificate holders. Rules follow federal standards and accepted research.

New certificates for direct shellfish sales

Beginning May 23, 2025, two new options are available. An enhanced retail certificate lets you sell specific shellfish at one establishment and buy from listed commercial shellfish, surf clam, quahog, mussel, or aquaculture license holders. A limited retail seafood harvester certificate lets you sell shellfish the primary owner on the license harvested, using one vehicle. Inspectors may check the site or vehicle. A vehicle cannot be an "establishment," and each license or certificate covers only one site or one vehicle.

Retail license required and what it covers

Beginning May 23, 2025, you must hold a retail seafood license to buy, sell, transport, ship, or serve the listed seafood in Maine. With this license, you may sell shellstock, crayfish, lobsters, and marine organisms bought directly from licensed harvesters. Shellstock must come from a certified wholesale seafood license holder.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Cameron D. Reny

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 82

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.

    5/21/2025Senate

  3. This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/20/2025House

  4. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-46).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/13/2025House

  5. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-46) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-46).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    5/7/2025Senate

  6. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025Senate

  7. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on MARINE RESOURCES.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/14/2025House

  8. Committee on MARINE RESOURCES suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on MARINE RESOURCES Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    1/14/2025Senate

Bill Text

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