Maine Revised Statutes

1. Fund.  There is established the Department of Marine Resources Educational Fund, referred to in this section as the "fund." The department is authorized to set and receive fees to be deposited in the fund. The fund receives all funds collected by the department from the operation of the Aquarium and Resource Center at West Boothbay Harbor and the Burnt Island Living Lighthouse, including admission fees, the proceeds of sales at the Aquarium and Resource Center at West Boothbay Harbor and the Burnt Island Living Lighthouse and donations, grants or other funds presented to the department for the benefit of the Aquarium and Resource Center at West Boothbay Harbor and the Burnt Island Living Lighthouse and their educational programs. All money deposited in the fund and the earnings on the money remain in the fund to be used for the management and maintenance of the Aquarium and Resource Center at West Boothbay Harbor and the Burnt Island Living Lighthouse and their programs that educate the State's children, teachers and visitors about the State's marine resources. Unexpended balances in the fund at the end of the fiscal year do not lapse but must be carried forward to the next fiscal year to be used for the same purpose.

2. Annual report.  By February 1st of each year, the commissioner shall submit an annual report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over fisheries matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs. The report must detail the amount of money collected in the fund over the course of the prior year and the expense of managing and maintaining the Aquarium and Resource Center at West Boothbay Harbor and the Burnt Island Living Lighthouse and their programs. The commissioner shall make recommendations concerning how the fund may be increased or expenses reduced or both so that the Aquarium and Resource Center at West Boothbay Harbor and the Burnt Island Living Lighthouse and their programs become increasingly financially self-sustaining.