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MaineLD 44132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Amend the Laws Pertaining to Elver Fishing

Sponsored By: Allison Hepler (Democratic)

Became Law

FISHFISH - EELS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Stricter elver quotas and penalties

Beginning June 10, 2025, if you hold an elver license, you cannot take, hold, or sell more than your personal weight quota. If licensees together land more than their share, the extra pounds come off the next year’s allocation, and future years if needed. The commissioner may withhold up to 1% of the state quota before splitting the rest among licensees.

21.9% of elver quota for tribes

Beginning June 10, 2025, 21.9% of the state’s annual elver quota is set aside for the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Penobscot Nation, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, and Mi’kmaq Nation. The commissioner divides that share among the tribes under state law.

Emergency rules to set quotas on time

Starting June 10, 2025, the commissioner can use emergency rulemaking to set and update the individual elver quota before the season. This lets the state act quickly when fast action is needed to run the quota system.

Required elver handling course for licenses

Starting June 10, 2025, the state creates an elver handling course to improve survivability. The commissioner may require you to finish the course before a license is issued. To get a license through the lottery, you must complete any required training. If you do not finish it, you are not eligible.

Elver lottery fees, deadlines, and limits

Beginning June 10, 2025, you must file a lottery application and pay $35 by January 15 of the lottery year. You can submit at most five applications each year, so fees can total up to $175. The lottery is held by March 15. Of each $35, $25 goes to a fund for an elver life‑cycle study and $10 covers lottery costs. The department sets routine technical rules for how the lottery runs.

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. ACTPUB Chapter 225

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/3/2025Senate

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

    6/3/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-344) 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-344), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    6/2/2025Senate

  5. 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-344).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/2/2025House

  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 6, 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.

    1/6/2025House

Bill Text

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