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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)

Signed by Governor

RECREATIONRECREATION - WATERCRAFT

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 3 mixed.

Homemade boats need ID and inspection

Homemade watercraft must get a hull identification number before applying for a Maine certificate of number. If it is a houseboat or a nonwater-dependent floating structure that can travel on water, you also need a marine surveyor’s inspection and approval. The craft must meet federal safety rules, including 33 C.F.R. Part 183, and meet visibility, stability, weight/horsepower, passenger area, and navigation lighting standards.

Sanitation rules for inland floating homes

On inland waters, a nonwater-dependent floating structure must meet sanitation rules. It must have a waterless composting or desiccating toilet, a holding tank with pump-out records, or use only land-based plumbing with no discharge. State representatives can inspect to check compliance.

Tougher fines and removal for violators

Violating the floating-structure ban brings daily civil fines of $100 to $500 per day and possible restitution. After three adjudicated violations in five years, a new violation is a Class E crime. Violators must remove illegal structures and pay all removal and damage costs. Town, county, and state officers and harbor masters can enforce these rules. Abandoned structures may be removed, sold, destroyed, or disposed of by authorities.

Ban on floating structures, with exceptions

The law bans placing or using nonwater-dependent floating structures on Maine’s internal waters. Some uses are still allowed. Examples include docks and swim or dive floats, floating water toys under 250 square feet, ice-fishing shacks, and aquaculture with a submerged-lands lease. Also allowed are structures authorized under this chapter and those already covered by a submerged-lands lease issued before January 1, 2025. Agencies may add other exemptions by rule.

Lease option and fees for existing floats

If your nonwater-dependent floating structure existed on January 1, 2025, you can apply for a submerged-lands lease to keep it. You must apply by January 1, 2026, show shorefront rights or an approved mooring, submit photos and details, and pay a $500 application fee. Leases are capped at 1,500 square feet, last 10 years, and can be renewed. A leased structure cannot be moved to another internal water; if it is destroyed or worn out, the lease ends. Annual lease fees are $250 (up to 500 sq ft), $500 (>500–1,000 sq ft), or $1,000 (>1,000–1,500 sq ft).

Definitions, rulemaking, and appeal rights

The law updates definitions for docks, houseboats, homemade boats, moorings, and other terms. Houseboats are included in “watercraft,” but vessels permanently docked and not used for transport are excluded. Agencies can adopt major substantive rules to clarify how these laws apply and to adjust exceptions. Bureau decisions on leases are final agency actions that you can take to court for review.

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. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 378

    6/20/2025

  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

  • Amendment C-A (H-684), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Amendment H-A to C-A (H-711), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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