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MaineLD 214132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Create a For-hire Charter Boat Operator License and to Require Individuals Recreationally Fishing for Halibut in Coastal Waters to Register with the Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry

Sponsored By: Allison Hepler (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

RECREATIONAL FISHINGRECREATIONAL FISHING - LICENSES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

New license rules for charter captains

Beginning January 1, 2026, you must have a for-hire charter boat operator license to take paying passengers fishing in coastal waters. To get it, you must have a U.S. captain credential or a current tidewater guide license. The license has no state fee; the processing fee is $2 with an agent or $1 online or at a department office. It lets you carry paying passengers only on the vessel named, and fish caught under it cannot be sold. Guides who provide these trips must also hold this charter license. A person counts as a passenger when the captain holds this license. Operating without it is a civil violation with a $100 to $500 fine.

New rules for recreational operator licenses

Beginning January 1, 2026, holders of a recreational fishing operator license must collect data from saltwater anglers and report it as the commissioner directs. The license still has no state fee. The law also narrows who can get this license by removing captains of for-hire passenger vessels and tidewater guides from the eligibility list.

Halibut anglers must register and tag

Beginning January 1, 2026, if you fish for halibut in Maine’s coastal waters, you must register with the Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry and get recreational halibut tags. The commissioner sets how tagging works and how it links to the registry. The law does not set tag fees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Allison Hepler

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 155

    5/30/2025

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    5/28/2025Senate

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

    5/28/2025House

  4. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator TEPLER of Sagadahoc the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-214) Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-214) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-214) in concurrence.

    5/27/2025Senate

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative HEPLER of Woolwich, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-214) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-214). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/22/2025House

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

    3/21/2025House

  7. Received by the Clerk of the House on January 16, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on MARINE RESOURCES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    1/16/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-214), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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