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MaineLD 1763132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Regulate Nonwater-dependent Floating Structures on Maine's Waters

Sponsored By: Allison Hepler (Democratic)

Became Law

RECREATIONRECREATION - WATERCRAFT

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Lease path to keep existing floating structures

Owners of floating structures that existed on January 1, 2025 can apply for a submerged lands lease to keep using them. You must show right, title or interest to the shorefront, or to adjacent upland plus an approved mooring. Apply by January 1, 2026, include abutters’ names, location, use, square footage, photos, and pay a $500 application fee. The bureau gives public notice and a 30‑day comment period and may inspect the site. When littoral zones overlap, the structure must be at least 25 feet from your zone sidelines and 50 feet from other structures. You must also get any needed federal, state, or local approvals before a lease is issued.

More officers enforce water rules

Municipal, county, and state officers and harbor masters can enforce boating and floating‑structure laws within their areas. This includes watercraft rules, the new floating‑structure rules, and related regulations. This aims to improve safety and compliance on Maine’s waters.

Stricter safety checks for homemade boats

If you own a homemade boat, you must get a hull identification number before you can get a state certificate of number. For homemade houseboats or other floating structures used for transport, you must submit a marine surveyor’s inspection letter. You must show the craft meets federal safety rules on flotation, stability, visibility, capacity, passenger areas, and navigation lights (33 CFR Part 183 and 46 CFR 144.905). The craft must be capable of navigation. The state issues the certificate only after these documents are provided.

Clearer boat and dock definitions

The law clarifies key terms for boats and floating structures. It defines dock, vessel, houseboat, homemade watercraft, mooring, and navigation, and ties “nonwater‑dependent floating structure” to the Title 38 definition. Watercraft now explicitly includes houseboats and their motors and gear, but excludes vessels meant to stay permanently docked and not used for transport. For one section of law, “watercraft” includes houseboats (in effect since August 31, 2004). These definitions align state terms and make it clearer which devices are covered by water rules.

Most floating structures banned, with exceptions

The law bans nonwater‑dependent floating structures on Maine’s internal waters. Exceptions include docks, wharfs, anchored swim or dive floats, ice fishing shacks, and floating water toys under 250 square feet. Aquaculture with a submerged lands lease under Title 12 is allowed. Authorized structures and those with leases issued before January 1, 2025 may remain. The bureau can add more exemptions by rule.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Allison Hepler

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Chad Perkins

    Republican • House

  • James Dill

    Democratic • House

  • Richard Mason

    Republican • House

  • Stacey K. Guerin

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 75 • No: 57

House vote • 6/13/2025

ADOPT HAH-711 TO CAH-684

Yes: 75 • No: 57

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 378

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/16/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/16/2025House

  4. On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland the Senate RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-684) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-711) thereto in concurrence.

    6/16/2025Senate

  5. This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.FAILED PASSAGE TO BE ENACTED.On motion of Representative ROBERTS of South Berwick, the House RECONSIDERED its action whereby the Bill FAILED PASSAGE TO BE ENACTED.On further motion of the same Representative, the House RECONSIDERED its action whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-684).On further motion of the same Representative, the House RECONSIDERED its action whereby Committee Amendment "A" (H-684) was ADOPTED.On motion of Representative ROBERTS of South Berwick, House Amendment "A" (H-711) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-684) was READ and ADOPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 498(Yeas 75 - Nays 57 - Absent 17 - Excused 2)Subsequently, Committee Amendment "A" (H-684) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-711) thereto was ADOPTED. Subsequently, the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-684) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-711) thereto.In NON-CONCURRENCE and sent for concurrence.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/13/2025House

  6. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-684) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-684), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    6/13/2025Senate

  7. 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" (H-684).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/13/2025House

  8. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE in concurrence

    4/23/2025Senate

  9. Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/23/2025House

Bill Text

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