1.  Change to existing overnight docking practice.  The Department of Transportation may not without legislative approval change the existing overnight docking practices of a state-owned ferry vessel that docks overnight on an island served by the Maine State Ferry Service. The department shall seek legislative approval to change the existing overnight docking practice of a ferry vessel that docks on an island served by the Maine State Ferry Service by submitting legislation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters prior to the change. The joint standing committee may report out a bill based on the suggested legislation.  

2.  Exceptions.  Notwithstanding subsection 1, the Department of Transportation may require a ferry vessel to temporarily dock at a mainland port or an alternative island port for an emergency situation or another significant operational need. The department does not need to seek legislative approval pursuant to subsection 1 for a temporary change to docking practices pursuant to this subsection. For the purposes of this subsection, "temporary change" means a change in the overnight docking of a state-owned ferry vessel that docks on an island served by the Maine State Ferry Service that does not change the common docking practice of that ferry vessel.