PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
Amend the amendment in section 1 in paragraph C by striking out all of the blocked paragraph (page 1, lines 34 to 36 and page 2, lines 1 to 3 in amendment) and inserting the following:
 
‘The fees outlined in section 13056, subsection 8, paragraphs A and B for watercraft operating on inland waters of the State each include a $10$15 fee for invasive species prevention and control. ThisFive dollars of the $15 fee must be deposited in the Eradication of Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species Fund established in Title 38, section 1866 and the remainder of the fee is disposed of as follows:’
Amend the amendment in section 5 in subsection 3 in the 10th to 12th lines (page 3, lines 12 to 14 in amendment) by striking out the following: "must be credited to the Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species Fund established within the Department of Environmental Protection under Title 38, section 1863" and inserting the following: 'must be deposited in the Eradication of Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species Fund established in Title 38, section 1866'
Amend the amendment by inserting after section 6 the following:
‘Sec. 7.  38 MRSA §1866  is enacted to read:
§ 1866. Eradication of Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species Fund
The Eradication of Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is created within the department as a nonlapsing fund. The fund is funded from $5 from each fee on certificates for watercraft operation on inland waters and lake and river protection stickers for nonresident personal watercraft, motorboats and seaplanes. Money in the fund may be used only for eradication of invasive aquatic plant and nuisance species. Eradication does not include containing, monitoring or inspecting invasive aquatic plant and nuisance species. The fund may be used to provide grants to municipalities or other entities for eradication programs to protect the inland waters of the State from invasive aquatic plant and nuisance species.’
Amend the amendment by striking out all of section 7 and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 7. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF
 
Eradication of Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species Fund N176
 
Initiative: Provides an allocation of $246,650 in fiscal year 2014-15 for eradicating invasive aquatic plant and nuisance species. Eradicating does not include monitoring, inspecting or containing invasive aquatic plant and nuisance species.

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2013-14	2014-15	
All Other	$0	$246,650	
			
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$0	$246,650	
 
’
Amend the amendment by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section number to read consecutively.
 
SUMMARY
This amendment provides that the revenue generated from the fee increases must be deposited in a fund established in the amendment to provide grants to lake associations and municipalities only for purposes of eradicating invasive aquatic plant and nuisance species. Committee Amendment "A" directs this revenue to the Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species Fund.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)