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MaineLD 2215132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act Relating to Nonwater-dependent Floating Structures

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

RECREATIONRECREATION - WATERCRAFT

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Anchored docks and swimming floats remain allowed

The exception to the floating-structure rules covers qualifying docks, wharves, and swimming or diving floats across state waters. They must be used for swimming, diving, or temporary boat tie-off. They must also be anchored to the bottom, temporarily or permanently.

Floating structure violators pay removal costs

A covered floating structure counts as abandoned after more than 24 hours in, on, or over state waters. The owner must lack intent to remove it, as determined by the primary enforcement authority. Anyone who breaks the placement or use ban must remove the structure from those waters. That person must pay removal costs and costs for damage to people or property caused by its placement or use.

Broader limits on floating structure use

Maine bans placing or using nonwater-dependent floating structures in, on, or over state waters, unless a legal exception applies. The ban extends beyond the prior reference to internal waters. A nonwater-dependent use can function away from the water. It does not mainly need submerged land or direct access to inland or territorial waters.

Boat operators face revised visibility standards

Watercraft operators subject to Maine's helm-visibility rules must meet standards recommended by the American Boat and Yacht Council or its successor. This replaces the previously cited federal visibility requirements.

Existing floating structures get limited leases

Owners of covered structures existing as of January 1, 2025, can apply through Maine's Bureau of Parks and Lands submerged lands leasing program. Attached structures require the applicant to hold right, title, or interest in the shorefront they touch. Unattached structures require that interest in adjacent upland shorefront and a mooring approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or municipality. Once placed under a lease, the structure cannot be placed elsewhere on state waters. Leased structures on territorial waters must follow federal water-pollution requirements in 33 U.S.C. §1322.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

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 566

    3/19/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    3/10/2026Senate

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

    3/5/2026House

  4. COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED, in concurrence. Ordered sent down forthwith

    3/3/2026Senate

  5. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence. Bill READ ONCE. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.

    2/26/2026Senate

  6. Reported by Representative ROBERTS for the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife pursuant to Public Law 2025, chapter 378, section 13.Report was READ and ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.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.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    2/24/2026House

Bill Text

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