Whereas, invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species pose a substantive threat to the environment and economy of the State; and

Whereas, the most common method of spreading invasive aquatic plants is on recreational boats, watercraft trailers and fishing equipment; and

Whereas, Maine's inland waters face an immediate threat of infestation by invasive aquatic plants during the 2001 summer boating season; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

PART A

Sec. A-1. 12 MRSA §7791, sub-§1-B is enacted to read:

1-B.__ Aquatic plant.__"Aquatic plant" means a vascular plant species that requires a permanently flooded freshwater habitat.

Sec. A-2. 12 MRSA §7791, sub-§3-A is enacted to read:

3-A.__Invasive aquatic plant.__"Invasive aquatic plant" means a species of aquatic plant described in Title 38, section 410-N.

Sec. A-3. 12 MRSA §§7794-B and 7794-C are enacted to read:

§7794-B.__Lake and river protection sticker

Beginning on January 1, 2002, and by January 1st of each subsequent year, the commissioner shall provide each agent authorized to register watercraft or issue licenses with a sufficient quantity of lake and river protection stickers for that boating season.__The sticker must be in 2 parts so that one part of the sticker can be affixed to each side of the bow of